Evening star., 1897-03-25
FIGHTING IN CRETE.
Successful Attack by Insurrents ~,
the Malaxa Fort

copyrighted 1897. by the Associated rr.ss
CANEA, March 25.-The insurgents made
determined attack upon the bIockhouse
or tort at Malaxa, outside of Suda, today.
Durihg the night the insurgent forces we're
pushed forward until they occupi.d cam
venient positions for attack, and abo
am the artillery opened fire upon The
Turkish Dlockhouse. The pieces of the
CHRISTIANS were served with such aoimira-
Die promptnesS and precision thai IN a
snort time nothing remained TO the Turks
but determination or evacuation
me Mussulmans, preferring the latter
ieit the Ioft and began retreat upon
Suda, relying upon the Turkish warships
in the bay TO save them from the Chris
nans. The sultan's fleet opened a badly
judged fire upon the insurgents in order
TO cover the retreat from the blockhous.
Inc shells fell either short far beyond
the insurgent forces. Consequently III,
Christians pushed forward steadily. press
ing hard upon the rear of the Turks and
Keeping up continued skirmish fire. The
Turks made stand now and then, pouring
a few volleys in the direction of the insur-
gent skirmish lines. The insurgents sue
ceeded in pushing as far as The village
of Tsikalaria, where they set fire 10 spmo
houses.
While this fighting was in progress, a
detachment of Turkish troops, being m
aware Of the fact that the garrison of
the fort at Maiaxa had evacuated that
place and was retreating upon Suda. close
ly pursued by the Christians. made sortie
from Canea with convoy of provisions
intended for the garrison of MalaXa. From
the route followed by the Turks nothing
could be seen of the lighting in progress
between Mdlaxa and Suda and the OF
toman troops advanced half way up to
the heights, upon which the block house
OF kerat.di is situated. But while the
Turks were unaware of the insurgents do
ings, the latter had closely followed the
movements of the Turkish column escort
ing the provision and ammunition train
Near Keratidi the Turks We're met by a.
body OF insurgents, who, from wel-select-
ed positions, opened fierce fire upon the
advancing troops. The fire of the Chris
tlaEs stopped the advance of the column,
and the Turkish commander took up the
best position possible in order to protect
the convoy and send it to the rear II
necessary.
AT nccn as this dispatch is sent the fight
ing between the Turks and Christians
near keraudi was still in progress and
the result was uncertain.
Ihe Turkish garrison at Malaxa lost
neavlly during the retreat from that place
The insurgents are numerous and occupy
all the heights in the vicinity of. Canea as
far as Perivolia, having captured the two
last Turkish fortresses. Only the fleets
OF the powers prevent the entire success
OF the 1nSurgent cause
Politically. there is no change in the sit
uation. The Cretan chiefs have definitely
decided to refuse autonomy and will con-
tinue the struggle until the union of the
island with Greece Is an acknowledged fact
The blockade is In progress all along the
Cretan coasts; but this has not prevented
several small Greek vessels from landing
ammunition and provisions. The Greek
vessel which was accidentally captured by
an Austrian gunboat which put into a
harbor owing to the severity of the
weather. had on board sixty volunteers
and quantity Of ammunition
ON THE MACEDONIA FRONTIER.