The San Francisco call., 1897-04-05
Could Mt She'll the Moslems
While Christians Were
Being Attacked.
DETAILS OF THE SHARP FIGHT
AT AKROTIRI.
The Por Sends a Note to Athens
Dem landing the Withdrawal of
Greek Troops From Crete.

SAN EAt OREIE, 4-1He WOIk OI
disarmlng the Bashi Bazouks, who took
part in the sorties against the Christians
who were removing from the peninsula of
Akrotiri yesterday, began to-day. A
number of gendarmes went TO the village
OF Kalena, where many of the Turkish
regular troops are living, and demanded
the surrender OF their arms. The Bashi
Bazouks were defiant and boldly refused
TO give up their weapons. As result the
European troops were summoned ana
they surrounded the village.
ParIeying with the Bashi Bazouks went
on for an hour before any material i'm
preston was made on them. Finally
they consented to give up their weapons,
which they did with very bad grace,
much time being occupied in the process
OF disarming them.
A proclama alton was issued declaring all
those who withheld their arms would be
shot, but this failed of effect, as only
about 100 yielded. 1t is known that fully
200 more are still in possession of their
arms, and efforts will be made to get
them.
The insurgents have exploded dyna-
mite cartridge under one of the walls of
the fort az Kassai.
correspondent OF the Times wires descrip-
tion OF the fight that took place yesterday
on the peninsula of Akronri. He says
that about 1000 Moslem irregulars
streamed along the road from Canea to
Suda. They passed the international
forces and were in full view of the foreign
positions. They began ascending the
hills toward the insurgent position, and
no effort was made to stop them. Two
thousand OF them were armed, but the
others were without weapons. The un
armed Moslems were driven down like
monkeys. story had circulated that
the powers were going to allow the
insurgents to move in, and the Moslems
intended TO pillage their houses after they
had gone.
The insurgents fighting force at Akro-
tiri numbers only about 700 men. When
the Moslems were within 500 yards of the
insurgents lines parley was held by the
leaders. What passed between them is not
known, but suddenly along both lines
there were almost concurrent volleys At
hrst the insurgents had the advantage
and drove the Moslems down the hills
The latter rallied and, making a fierce
charge, drove the Christians from their
forward posts, where Turkish flag, which
is still waving, was planted. A moderate
estimate places the killed and wounded
On each side at fifty.
Major Bor, who is in command of the
gendarmes, and two Italian officers as
cended tie hill and parleyed with the
Moslems. trying to stop the fighting.
Several OF the warships had landed their
guns and were about 10 shell the Moslems
when they saw Major Bor and the ItaI-
ians. They then refrsined from shooting.
fearing that they would hit them.
A heavy rain stopped the firing, when
the Christians and the Moslems returned
to their resp ective positions.
Orders have now been given that the
Mosems be disarmed when they enter
the city gate at Canea. The first few pass
ing through the gate had their guns
taken from them. After a short rest these
men returned along the Suda road and
warned their approaching comrades, who
hid their arms. Consequently only few
were obtained.
Several hundred rifles that were dis.
tributed by the Governor rem aimed in
town.
ATHENS, GREECE, April an. Zamis,
President of the Boule, the single Greek
OOOyI IeCcHlly sent To
Gladstone message of gratitude for the
stand he has taken in behalf of Greece
and the Cretan Christians. In his me essage 9
NJ. Zamis said:
All your glorious life has been full OF
com bats for justice and liberty. Now
that the Hellenic nation has risen to fight
In favor OF Crete, which is believed with
blood, you come to uphold anew the
rights OF an oppresse race"
Mr.. Gladstcne's reply 10 this message
was made public here to-day He said:
"My tract was not written to confer a
favor on Greece, but TO discharge a solemn
DUTY contributing to redeem my country
iIom any risk of uishonor which would
have been incurred by placing ourselves
IN antagonsm TO the high interests of
justice and freedom. My opinion is that
II the Greeks continue discreet and the
Cretans firm, their reasonable self asser-
ton will carry the day, and the power,
II they should be SO unwise as to take
hostile part. be both discredited and de-
feated."
CoNSrANTINOPLE, TURKEY, April A.
Inc Forte has prepared a note 10 Greece
demanding the withdrawal OF the Greek
troops IN Crete. The note declares that in