The news & observer., 1897-02-10
THE GREEKS AFTER CRETE.
If Not Made TO Desist, the Peace of
Europe May be Threatened.


London. Feb 9.-Private and official
advices and private letters from English
officers show that the troubles in the Is
land of Crete are undoubtedly caused by
Greek agitators, and that the Christians
are undoubtedly the aggressors The
Greek government, believing that the end
Of the Ottoman empire is near, thinks the
time opp0rtune to carry ont the long
cherished desire to annex the island OF
Crete. Public officials here and on the
continent regard the situation as serious
and as threatening the peace of the
whole of Europe.
In the event of a collision between
Greece and Turkey, it is doubtful whether
the entente of the powers could be main
tanned. The papers everywhere urge the
powers to bring pressure TO bear on
Greece, in order to prevent her further
aggravation in Turkey.
1t is announced to-day that Turkish
warships and a transport have left Con
stantinople for the island OF Crete, and
that in spite of his ministers and of the
Ambassadors the Sultan fayors the dis
patch Of troops and repressing the trou
bles by force
A dispatch to the Times from Canea
says: THE immediate cause of the out
break was the news Of the troubles at
Heraklion Before dawn one-half of the
Mohammedans had left the town, and
great numbers fired upon Galata and
other villages. The Christians descended
from the mountains in strong force and
during the next two days there were in
cessant conflicts around Canea, in which
the Christians appeared to have had the
advantage. The efforts of the consuls
and bishops to pacify them failed and the
mohammedans, whose anger had been
aroused to the utmost found themselves
unable to continue their expedition into
the country. The excitement among the
Christians of Canea increased, but the
first fighting in the town was on Thurs
day. 1t commenced with desultory shots,
and in few moments became general.
The shooting continued until dark Among
the victims were Turkish soldiers, but the
troops, nevertheless, under great provo
cation, behaved excellently.
GREEK WARSHIPS ACTIVE.
Athens, Feb. 9-The Official Gazette
to-day publishes royal decree commits
sioning all the available warships of
Greece and ordering the immediate dis
patch of additional ships to the island of
Crete.
The Greek cruiser Hiaoulis has started
for Retimo, where the mussulmans have
occupied the christian quarters and are
pillaging the stores and houses. Three
Thousand Turkish troops have been con-
centrated at Salonika, in readiness to en-
bark for the island of Crete; but the
steam navigation company refuses to
convey them to their destination until the
money for their passage is paid.
Advices from Canea this afternoon
said that the Turkish troops and armed
Mussulmans have had a fight with chris
tians in the environs Of Canea. Fifteen
soldiers We're killed.
WILL NOT SUCCEED.
London. Feb. 10.-A dispatch from
Cologne, Germany, says that the Cologne
Gazette declares that the attempt OF
Greece to annex Crete will not succeed.
France. it is asserted, may favor the de-
sign, but the Driebund and Russia have
agreed to maintain the status quo.
GREEKS WILL BE CHECKED.
London, Feb. "a special dispatch
from Canea says that the commanders
Of the foreign men of war, now CON
centrated off the island of Crete, have
notified the captains Of the Greek war
ships that no isolated action on the part
of the Greeks, such as bombarding the
town Of Canea or the landing of troops.
viii be permitted.