The herald., 1897-03-25
Not Yet Ready to Take
the Field
CRETE DECLINES AUTONOMY
WILL FIGHTTo THE DEATH FOR
UNION
All Appearances Are Decidedly War
like and Danger of General Cno-
flict Daily Increases
Associated Press Special Wire.

TaSDOnQGnt Oh Ine lliiltS ioN Oii tAAS
Macedonian frontier, says that in MS
opinion the Greek army is not ye'
Yesterday to take any decisive steps
The officers must first drill the raw
levies and oragnize an efficient trans
port system. But, he adds, the appear
ance of things along the frontier Is IN th9
highest degree warlike. Every possible
post is held. and the roads are patrolled
by cavalry.
The Times correspondent at Athens
saws that all kinds of rumors are cur
rent there as to the expected rupture
of European concert. The danger OF de-
laying a definite solution of the crisis
increases daily. The Crown Prince Con-
stantine is expected to start in few
DAYS for the Greek camp at Parissa, ana
the risk of a serious outbreak is becom-
ing more and more intense.
The report of a conflict between the
Turk and Greek volunteers at Arta has
been officially confirmed. Other incl
dents of the same character must be eX-
pected.
Neither Greece nor Crete has benefited
much in the past by compliance with
European behests, and unless some Wis
ible proof is given of the complete aboli-
tion of Turkish rule in Crete. the country
will not be satisfied. the correspondent
says 1t is alleged the reserves will re-
fuse to come out on a future occasion
unless satisfaction is obtained now for
Greek sacrifices.
The Ephemerist. which is obviously
f,.,,, !, q 70
ment that the sultan offered to allow
Prince George to administer Crete in
return for the payment Of tribute to
the porte but that the powers stopped
negotiations. 1t is believed that Ger
many and Austria did their utmost to
prevent such friendly arrangement
being carried out.
RUSSIA is READY.
LONDON March PA dispatch to
the Times from Constantinople says
that the vail Erzeroum has informed
the government that two divisions of the
Russian army of Kars were encampec
on the Turkish frontier on Saturday
last On being asked to explain the
movement, the Russian consul reptile
that the sole business of the troops was
to take precautions for excluding the
plague. The vail considers this explain
alton unsatisfactory. and asks authority
from the porte to take such measures as
he may deem necessary.
The government has ordered the
Turkish embassy in Europe to open ne
gotiations for the purchase of three iron
clads at the cost of million and a half
pounds sterling.
TURKISH RESERVES.
CONSTANTINOPLE, March PA
special trade was issued by the sultan
this morning calling out for executive
service forty-four battalons of the re-
serve army corps, and also summoning
to the colors the whole contingent Of
1897.
AUTONOMY DECLINED
ATHENS, March PA dispatch from
Canea says the insurgent commander
in-chief at Akrotiri this morning re-
ferred the proposal of the powers TO
grant autonomy to Crete to the various
leaders of the insurgent forces who had
assembled. The Cretan leaders unani~
mousy declared only two issues were
ROSoipiC-bi olliltAatiOll VI SltAt ~
Greece or war until death ends the
struggle for union.
STARVING MUSSULMANS
CANEA, March 24.-At Sitia the Mus
sulman inhabitants of the town are
without food and are surrounded by
Christians, who have cut off all avenues
of communication with the place.
A CHANGE OF POLICY
OONSTANTINOPLE March pa
(Copyright) The steps-taken by the
sultan to punish the Turkish officials
who are held responsible for the massa-
ere of one hundred Armenians at To-
kat, in the Sivas district of Asia Minor.
and the pillaging of the Armenian
quarter of Tokat for eight hours, are
not satisfactory to the ambassadors Of
the powers, and unless there is a change
in he situations very soon it is believed
that some of the powers will be COM
PEELED by public opinion to make a rad
ical change of the policy towards Crete
and Greece.
The remonstrance of Sir Philip Cur
rie the British ambassador, was one of
the strongest ever delivered by an am
bassador concerning the massacres in
Armenia. ard was intended for stern
notification to the porte that further
outbreaks in Armenia would rot pass
without vigorous action upn the part of
the powers. The immediate result of
the action of the powers, the imme diate
Dismissal of two Turkish officials, is not
sufficient and is further looked upon as
being likely to encourage additional
outbreaks of the same nature. Conse-
quently Sir Philip Currie has made
fresh representations to the porte, sett-
ing forth that serious consequences will
follow the failure of the sultan to really
punish those who are responsible for the
Tokat outrage.
The ambassadors met at the British
embassy last evening and thcroughly
discussed the matter, after which dis
patches were sent by those present to
the capitals of the powers they repre-
sent.
An official communique was address
ed by the Turkish government to the
Turkish newspapers and provincial cdi-
Gals yesterday representing that the
course adopted by the powers in the
Cretan affair was an example of the sue
cess Of the sultan in that direction. and
intimating that he has the full support
Of the powers, with their fleets and ar