The herald., 1897-03-28
AUTONOMY
SCHEMES
Too Vague for Cretan
Acceptance
TURKEY MUST WITHDRAW
OR GOOD ORDER CANNOT BE
MAINTAINED
Salisbury Suggests Joint Occupation
of the Island by England and
France or Russia
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, March N.-(Copyrfght,
1879 In spite of the warlike prepara-
tions, the prospect in the Levant has
certainly not become darker during the
past week, and there are indications that
the difficulty may be solved by the pow
ers' inducing the sultan to withdraw
the Turkish troops from Crete
The situation in Canea is a powerful
argument in favor of the withdrawal of
| the Turks. They are being driven In
from the outlying posts, and the news
| papers today are asking of what use are
the Turks If the foreign forces are COM
pelled to do their work, as in the case
| of the foreign occupation at Malaxa
fort, commanding Suda and Canea, from
which the Turks were driven out.
The reason for the Cretan resistance
| to the decision Of the powers appears
to be the vagueness of the so-called
autonomy scheme. Many competent
judges who are on the scene declare that
the Cretans would submit II given the
details showing the reality Of the au-
tonomy scheme. This Is the view Of the
ambassadors at Constantinople. who
have telegraphed to their respective
governments, urging that the details be
now determined upon, and that prac-
tical scheme Of government be presented
to the Cretans, and also declaring that
the prolongation of the condition Of un-
certainty inspires great anxiety and
leaves the door open to events calcu-
lated seriously to endanger the situa-
ton, such as yesterdays affair at Ma
laxa.
1t is stated from Kissamo that the Gre
tan leaders there favor annexation to
Greece under the impression that au-
tanqaHgXr nqaHgr f pffac,pSesrfSy. ,Ss willie Greece @ would would
pay them an indemnity in full This
idea shows that the money question lies
at the root OF the whole complication.
In the meanwhile advices from the in
terror of Crete indicate that the inhab-
itants are already feeIing the pinch of
famine. A special correspondent, who
has just visited the camp of Col Vas
sos. the commander Of the Greek army
Of occupation. describes the journey. He
says in the mountains, at place called
Stilofaramgo. he heard weird voices
across the deep. impossible ravine, is
suing apparently from the bowels of the
earth, and adds: I'VE stopped and
through our field glasses saw emaciated
women and children emerging from q
cave high up in the mountains. They
were the wives and children OF Chris
tians seeking refuge from the Turks
and living upon roots.
when we reached Col. Vassos' camp
at Alikano we saw scores of famishing
people, once rich, who came begging for
food. Several of them had not eaten for
three or four days. and hundreds of 9TH
ers were In the same condition. The dis
tress was hesrt-rending, and disease has
now supervened."
1t is limited in various quarters that
Germany has virtually withdrawn from
the concert of the powers, and one Of the
French newspapers even asserted that
Emperor William aims at a Turkish
Greek war, with the object Of recover
ing, on the conclusion OF peace. the 200,-
100000 francs which Greece owes her
German creditors.
The semi official denial Of this state
ment was issued in Berlin today en-
phatically repudiating any such inten-
ton.
The conference which the marquis of
Salisbury had in Paris yesterday with
M. Hanotaux, the French minister for
foreign affairs, Is regarded as most Inn
portant, not only with reference to the
eastern situation. but as bt-Yng upon
the general relations between Great
Britain and France. 1t was noticed that
M. Hanotaux greeted Lord Salisbury
cordially when he arrived and that their
parting was even more cordial, indicat-
ing that the conference was satisfactory
to both parties. What actually passed
Is not known, but the Figaro believes
that Lord Salisbury suggested that the
island Of Crete be occupied by two pow
ers. one Of them being Great Britain and
the other France or Russia. Other
French newspapers and the British press
believe that the conferences are the
sign of improved relations and are espe-
cially significant as following the visits
of Queen Victoria and the prince Of
Wales to President Faure.
The British premier. whose health is
much shaken, is expected to remain on
the Riviera until .s-.>sr easter.
PANAMA SCANDALS.
The Panama scandals have been re-
vived and form the leading topic for
discussion everywhere in Paris. 1t is
stated that Emile Arton, the Panama
lobbyist, who was extradited last year
from England, has furnished proofs
against forty nine deputies and senators
whom he bribed.
@
rest warrant was issued and who was
believed to have fled. presented him
self before the examining magistrate
this afternoon.
1t 10 stated that Charles De Lesseps
is now in London preparing documents
tendins to clear histather and furnish