New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-06
ENGLAND'S POLICY IN CRETE
WILL THE FORCES OF THE CROWN BE
USED IN BLOCKADINa GREEcEs
., WILLIAM Y.RcouRr FAILS TO GET A sATls-
FACTORY ANSWER IN THE HOUSE or
coNMoys-AN IMPORTANT STATE
->-r ny Mr. pALYOUR

,.rN-r BY Mr.. pA14FOUR.
london. April 5-An important meeting OF the
,ooaors ~ the Liberal party was held at noon
. ,o,, a. the residence Of Sir William Vernon
,1o-court The Earl Of Kimberley. the Marquis
- p,,or Earl Spencer, and John Morley
,-asant They discussed the attitude which they
,,A assume in the event Of the warships Of
Great Britain taking part in the projected block
sSA ~ the Gulf Of Athens. Sir William Har-
court n now restored to health, and was able
to attend to-days session Of the House of Com
mons.
In the House the Parliamentary Secretary for
he Foreign Office. George y. Curzon, in reply
10 several questions on the subject of Crete,
said that all the Powers excepting Germany
would be represented in Crete by military forces,
and all the Powers. without exception, would
be represented IN Cretan waters by a naval
force. He added that Her Majestys Govern
men; had not received an official explanation
as 10 why Germany was not sending troops to
Crete but that Empires participation in the
European concert was attested by the sending
of a German man-of-war TO the island.
Replying to q question to the negotiations
said to be In progress between Greece and Tur-
key for a settlement of the Cretan question, Mr..
Curzon said the Government had not heard Of
any direct negotiations between those countries.
OF w imam t1dTtpN4N GShrN whether NiS Wv
ernn1ent leader a. J. Balfouf) could give the
House the date on which the Turkish troops
would be Withdrawn from Crete. Cries Of
"OhgO He also asked whether the Govern
Ynent intended TO employ the forces Of the Grown
in blockading Greece, and whether the Govern
ment could make q statement in the House Of
Commons on the situation in Crete and Greece,
and its policy in relation thereto
Mr.. Balfour after congratulating Sir William
on his return TO the House after his sickness
(cheers), said that the Government had as sir
William knew, represented TO the Turkish Gov
ernrent the advsabllity Of Withdrawing the
Turkish troops from Crete, and there was no
doubt that this eventually would be secured
but no date for 1t could be fixed If for no other
reason, because at present there We're not sur
hcient troops on the island TO protect the Mus
sulrnan ncn-combatants from the control of the
armed irregulars.
Referring to the proposed blockade of the Gulf
Of Athens Mr. Balfour said that if such a step
was found necessary in order to maintain peace
the Government would not hesitate to join with
the other Powers in blockading Greece (Loua
Conservative cheers) In the meanwhile he con-
tinued the Powers We're making a general
declaration at Athens and Constantinople Where-
by tie maintenance of peace might, ne trusted
be obtained. This declaration, Mr.. Balfour eN-
piained was In effsct that, in case OF CONNECT
on the frontier, the aggressor would be heid re-
sponsible for the consequences Of disturbance
OF the general peace, to which the Powers at
tached the greatest Importance; ana, further'
whatever the. consequences OF the struggle. they
would not consent to the aggressor deriving the
smallest advantage therefrom.
In conclusion Mr.. BafoUr remarked that he
thought the House was already in possession of
all the material relevant facts. both as regards
Crete and the policy Of the Government for pre-
serving peace on the mainland, and he could not,
az present, add anything with advantage.
Sir william Harcourt said that the House was
very anxious for a full statement from the Gov
ernment Of the policy It intended TO pursue and'
as the Government leader was not prepared 10
make a statement on the subject. he (Sir VIII
ian) desired 20 give notice Of motion which
would secure discussion Of the situation for the
information Of the House and country. lie
would, therefore, move an address 20 Her
Majesty praying that the forces Of the Crown be
not employed against Greece or the people OF
Crete. C"Ohr Oh" from the Conseryatives)
Mr. Balfour remarked that he desired to be
eure whether Sir William meant to raise
oe1nite vote Of censure against the Government
IN regard TO It's policy in the East. for if he did
the Government was prepared to give Thurs
30 confined 70 the limits Of single night. II,
after what had been SAID. Sir Wllllam dcSifed 10
raise the issues involved and ntNe a vote OF
censure. the Government WJuld give MN I""'@
0av, but not otherwise.
In response Sir William Harcourt said that AT
present he was not in possess on ot III 5IIi'Ioi'
as 10 whether the Government lntenueu 10 ciId IVA
Iloy the Crown forces against Greece ana my
people Of Crete; therefore his motion was not d
vote OF censure. 1t was simply intended 20
learn the intentions Of the GQVefnmene ana
s~g ffo y
(; would be a wise and proper policy 10 pursue
TIE Opposition. he continued. was Or the oplnlohh
that coercion was improper, ana 1t was PIePa'~eu ~
and anxious TO take the opinion o. 'he ~ ou9o Ut
the subject The Te9l objects Of the motion WeI9
10 obtain full statement 0f the Government ~
rolicy, COhm "Oh") If Nh Balfour had an
eyrorcd the questions asked on the subject, ne
(S,r WnianJ would not have given notice oi
his motion 1t was impossible for him 70 say
,,ba,bcr ,bis was vote II ccnsure or not. (Con-
rervatlve laughter) But the question was OF
s,,prerae importance, and ought 10 Oc discussed
by the House before 1t separated Tor 'he EASIER
10 this Mr.. Balfour replied that II was I'M
uossible for any debate TO extract further IN
formation from the Government tnah hhH az
rsa6v bner given lie had explained IN me
clearcst rnanngr the intentions or the Govern,
mont both IN regard 20 Crete ana Greece, ana
4, SIR V-iNiarn merely meant 10 ask Tor repetI-
,,on ~ tbe etoiernents made. public business
should noc he interrupted and the Iine OF the 40
House wasted IN oointless debates. loWeYer' !. ~
Sir william would put the moVoH ." P"PO'' -
would be further considered. ,, ~.
The Liberal leader retorted that he would hot
nut the rootion on paper before Mr. BaIrour
said whether or not he would take the respohsl-
biity of br' si1g tho motion 10 discusslVn' L.
The lnattr was tlen dropped. amid cheers
from the Co. cervatives and counter-cheeis lroNi
the liberals. ao..o
The declaration TO be made by the representa-
tiyes Of the Powers at Athens and Constant,
nople mentioned by Mr.. Balfour wac sugeesteu t
by Count MuravieF. the Russian Minister d,e iol
Foreign Affairs, and has a!reac! pe'h US"
patched 70 Athens and constant ,,o.ot,,,
prominent official q the British FoTeik.
Office. in an interview with representalVe 20. y.
heard of any hitch IN the Powers arrange
nents. They fully determined 70 follow me
course they have agreed on. thought l9rt-
night ago mat The matter would blow over Du'