Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-02

Canea, April 1.-The insurgents by a
bold stroke occupied the hill in the
south side of Suda bay Tuesday night
and were shelled by the British, Aus
trian and Russian warships. AT day
break yesterday the firing was re-
sumed, and the Cretans were driven
from their positions. AS soon as the
firing ceased they made another at
tempt to recover the ground, and the
warships resumed the firing, which
was heavy for several hours. During
the cannonade three Turks were kill
ed and five wounded.
When the Cretans began the attack
Col. Bor proposed to the admirals that
they should land a mixed force OF 500
men to drive the insurgents from the
position they occupied behind a strong
wall along a ravine. The Austrian and
French admirals were opposed to TAX
ing the offensive, and they decided to
confine their action to bombarding.
BY o'clock in the moring the engage
ment was in full blast. The Turkish
guns in Ft. Izzedin could take only a
small part in the firing, as most of them
are directed seaward. but a Turkish
frigate shelled the insurgents freely
though with little effect. An hour later
the foreign men-of-war signalled their
intention to lombard. The Russian
Groslastchy fired first, then the Eng
lish Ardent, and finally the Austrian
gunboat Tiger Each vessel fired in its
turn, aiming chiefly at the Greek flag,
which was hoisted above (the stone
wall. The Ardent ceased firing at $50,
shore, by degrees pounded down the
wall.
In spite Of the heavy cannonade the
Cretans held their ground stoutly even
throwing out skirmishers to repel the
Turkish outposts, though they were
compelled to abandon their own prin-
cipal positions behind the stone wall.
At Gas a. m, her majesty's ship Camp
erdown. the outermost of the large iron
clads. began firing siX-inch shells. The
Cretans thereupon retired slightly, but
continued a heavy fire until at 10
o'clock. when the Camperdown at a
range Of 400 yards, fired her big guns
Three out Of four of the percussion
shells burst directly in the center Of
the insurgents position, and the Gre
tans fed.
At 1915 the last shell fell. Seeing
that the object of the bombardment was
accomplished, the Russian and Aus
trian warships steamed away for
blockade service. The Ardent returned
TO Suda. The Turkish soldiers sailed
quickly from the forts, occupied the
positions lately held by the insurgents,
hoisted the Ottoman flag with great
manifestations of delight, and even ad-
vanced across the open with great cool
ness. though exposed to the continuous
fire of the insurgent sharpshooters, who
remained in the ravine up to the last
moment.
At 1870 a. M. the Turks were still
pouring a rafting rifle fire upon the
retreating insurgents, who replied with
wonderful spirit Their splendid de-
fense of the position excited the ad-
miration of the all Until the Camper
down began TO fire heavy shells the
insurgents rather gained than lost
ground. in spite of the tremendous fire
of the Russian and Austrian vessels.
Altogether about 100 shells were hred.
The Camperdown used her 6i-ton guns
in the bOmbardment.
Col. Vassos has sent a strongly word
ed protest to the admirals. He charges
the representatives of the powers win
violating the pledges that Mussulmahs
released at CandamOs and dlsarmed
should not be allowed to attack the
Christians again. He condemns the
sbelling of Cretans by the foreign
fleets and appeals to the people OF
Europe to end the present policy, which
he says. is fraught with untold horrors
and threatens the entire population oI
the island with determination.
Athens. April 1.-Col. Nassos, COM
mander of the Greek forces in Crete.
has photographed the following mes
sage to King George: Contrary 10
their promises the admirais nave per
mitted bands of armed Mussulmans at
Candamo to pillage and burn houses
outside the town, while every act OF
defense on the part of the Christians
nrovolles bombardment by the foreign
warsbips. The admirals send their
Governments false dispatches, declar-
ING that I am guilty of curelties; that
7 have massacred the prisoners taken
at Malaxa. and that despite my solemn
declaration 10 the contrary, | intend
IN attack Canea. / shall address to the
admirals an energetic protest.
A royal decree orders the western
naval division under Capt. Keyser to
assemble at lucas. 1t consists Of the
Aceton. the EurotG4 the Basileos Geor-
pios. the Nauarchos Miaulis and the
Ambrakia Aphroessa, with four tor
pedo boats.
norden+ Of the Chronicle declares a
romDlete rupture of the concert OF the
powers is imminent.
The Paris correspondent OF the Times
eavs the visit of the Dowager Czarlna
of Russia to her father the King of
nonmarly is expected TO have import
ant results.
Ar the banquet given in his honor
YESTERDAY evening at the National Lib
oral Climb. Lord Kimberley, leader OF
tho Liberal party in the House Of Lords
severely arraigned the powers for their
systematic procrastinatiOn in dealing
With the Graeco-Cretan affairs. He
co,nnlained that every action was taken
too late TO accomplish the end de-
signed. o-,.-.,,,.
ouired TO remove his troops from the
island of Crete instanter, and If he re-
fnses then the powers ought TO remove