The San Francisco call., 1897-04-04
Permit Treacherous Turks
to Attack Insurgents
While Moving.
Permission Had Been Given the
Christians to Leave
Akrotiri.
Strange and Heartless Tactics of the
Admirals Who Are Befr riending
Mo:lems.

CANEA, CRETE, April 3.-The insurgents
in the hills about the town of Akrotiri on
the peninsula of that name recently asked
the foreign admirals for permission to
leave their positions, as they desired to
leave the peninsula. The authorization
was granted, and to-day the insurgents,
with their families, descended from the
hills, driving their cattle before them and
not suspecting any danger.
They had scarcely reached the lower
ground when 1000 Bashi Bazouks sud-
denly fred upon them at range of only
220 yards. The Bashi Bazouks had
emerged from Canea last evening and
made their way to the neighborhood of
the lnsurgent position, having apparently
received information that the Christians
we're about to evacuate the peninsula.
The Turkish force consisted mainly OF
refugees who had been brought to Canea
from Selino by Sir Alfred Biliotti, the
British Consul here.
After their arrival in Canea they had
been armed by the Governor in defiance
of the promises that had been made to
the admiraIs. Their arms had been taken
from them when they were compelled to
evacuate Selino. but they experienced not
weapons by direction of the Governor.
The insurgents were armed, and they
soon recovered from the surprise occa-
stoned by the sudden attack OF the Bashi
Bazouks. They then returned the fire,
whereupon the latter returned to Canea.
AS they approached the town they
quietly deposited their arms and ammuni-
ton in places where they would not be
L l. d.
weapons were placed in houses on the out
skirts, while the remainder were deposited
in the Msjendies barracks.
The international forces ashore did not
take any measures to prevent the collision
and the warships in Suda Bay did not fire
shot to check the Bashi Bazouks.
The Mussulmans lost heavily in the en-
gagements. Fifty dead and wounded
were brought to Canea. Some of the Mos
lens, presumably not refugees, attempted
to bring their arms into town, but they
were stopped st the gates or fortified lines
by Italian soldiers and disarmed by the
officers of the gendsrmerie.
The Mussulmans are very much in
censed By this action and are Assem- bling
in great mum bers at SpiaZzia.
1t is stated this evening that British
sailors were landed on the peninsula os-
tensibly to restrain the Bashi Bazouks
but only when it was too late to do any
thing.
PARIS, FRANCE, April 3.-In the Cham
Der of Deputies to-day N. Gautier de Clag-
ney interpeIlated the Government regard
ing the Cretan situation.
NJ Hanotaux, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, replying to the Interpolation, de-
clared that it was impossible to reproach
the Government for the action they had
taken in the matter. He added that it
was not likely that conflict would occur
at present on the Macedonia frontier. The
powers were considering the question of
eventually blockading the ports of Greece.
Continuing. M. HanotauI stated that
there was nothing specially disquieting in
the situation. 1t was hoped that councils
Of wisdom would prevail with time.
NJ. Cochin asked the Government for in
formation regarding the massacres at
Sivas and Tokat in Anatolia, where
number of Armenians were killed by
Turks and Kurds. He also desired to
know why coercion had not been applied
to the Sultan to compel him to obey the
demands of the powers.
l.
been teIegraphed on March 16 to NJ. Cam
bon, the French EN- bassador at Constan-
tinople, directing him to make representa-
ton to the Sultan as to the unsatisfactory
state of affairs. ri. Hanotaux further said
that in consequence of wrongful acts the
Military Governor of Adana had been re-
called by the Porte and a Christian ap-
pointed in his stead.
irh
ercion M. Hanotaux said the powers had
decided to exact the execution of the re-
forms that had been demanded and which
had been promised by the Sultan. Europe,
he said in conclusion, might count upon
the frmness of the ambassadors at Con-
stantinople insisting upon the execution
of reforms.
LONDON, ENG, April 3.-Several of the
correspondents of London newspapers
telegrapuing from Canea represent that
the foreign admirals were seriously
blamable for. the lighting that occurred
between the insurgents and Turkish ir-
regular troops in the peninsula of Akro-
tiri.
They state that Admiral Canevaro. the
italian naval officer who is in command
OF the combined fleets of the powers had
given His aSsent 10 the request OF the IN
surgents that they be allowed to leave the
peninsula and pass through Canea to the
interior of the island.
They evidently trusted that the admiral
would give them safe passage, but it seems
that no measures were taken to protect
them.
When the almirals learned that the
i. Bashi-bazouks were barring the way OF the
Christians they ordered that detachments
of sailors and marines be sent to disarm
them and compel them to return to Canea,
but 1t was then too late for the detach-
ments to carry out their orders. 1t does
not appear why the foreign warships did
not shell the bashi bazouks.
GREEK PA7RIOTS DEPART
Ono Hundred and Fire Wdrri0rs to