The new North-west., 1897-03-12

If Proposals of France Are Accented
All Will He Well

Athens, March 1.-THE situation of af-
fairs here, as this dispatch is sent On
a. NO. remains grave, although there are
few signs here and there, since yester-
day, that pacific solution of the Cretan
crisis Is yet possible. This is more par
ticularly so In the case of Greece. 1t is
believed the government is sincere in not
desiring to start any conflagration which
may spread far and wide. The gravity
OF the situation is recognized on all sides
and all those interested seem willing TO
arrive at a peaceful settlement of the
difficulties If possible.
Greece Is displaying undiminished firm
ness in her intention to carry out at all
cost the program which she has mapped
out for herself in regard to Crete, while
at the same time supporting the pacific
intentions of her advisers
1t is reported that Prince Maurocordato,
Greek minister g. Constantinople, has ad-
dressed a note to the Turkish govern
ment, proposing to recall Greek troops
from the frontiers Of Macedonia and AL
bania, if Turkish troops near the Greek
frontier are simultaneously withdrawn.
The porte, however, has not shown any
haste to accede to this proposition.
At the same time this note was sent
to the Turkish government, stringent or
ders were issued to commanders of the
Greek troops in Thessaly to do everything
possible to avoid anything calculated to
provoke conflict, while hope was ex-
pressed to Turkish officials at Constan-
tinople that the porte would issue similar
instructions to commanders of the Turk
sh troops In Macedonia.
Dispatches since received here from
Thessaly indicate that the wishes of King
George will be carried out. 1t was stated
in these messages that, although the
Greek troops are animated with unabated
enthusiasm, nothing will be done to need
lessly irritate the Turks.
An incident showing this to be the case
occurred near Melun. A Greek officer
of engineers was engaged in supervising
the work of repairing a road close to the
frontier and was prevented by some Turk
ish officials from proceeding with the
task. The Greeks have not taken any
action in the matter, although it is claim
ed they were well within their rights
and proceeding within their rights
A dispatch received here from Canea at
$50 this morning states that Colonel Vas
army of occupation, as it is termed in
Athens, has received at his camp near
Platania, instructions from King George
to be prepared to resist coercion to the
end
This spirit, which pervades all the Or
ders sent to the Greek commanders in
Crete, is further shown in Canea dis
patches received at o'clock this morning
referring to the incident which occurred
at Selino yesterday. Before deciding to
land a mixed detachment of marines
the admirals parleyed for a long time
with the Greek commodore, Colonel Vas
sos and the Greek vice consuls. Evasive
answers only were returned to the ad-
mirals, the Greek commodore protesting
against obstacles placed in his way, and
colonel Vassos that he had no authority
over the insurgents who were investing
Selino.
These replies, coupled with the insist
ence of the Greek vice consul that he
would only consent to go to Selino on
board Greek warship and in the name
Of King George of Greece, compelled the
foreign admirals in Difference to their in
to decide to deliver imprlson-
ed Moslems, even if they had to use force
against the insurgents the Greeks
in order to do so. Therefore a detacn-
ment of marines was landed at Selino
from the foreign warships and it set out
forthwith for Candlamo, distant seven
miles. The Greek consul, M. Baraclis,
thereupon informed the admiras that the
Greek government declined all responsi-
blllty for what might take place. 1t IS
said there are 5000 Moslems besieged at
Candiamo, where the earthworks of the
Turks have been partly destroyed by the
fire of the insurgents, many men being
killed on both Sides.
Additional adyices from Crete this
morning say that the insurgents have
formed Gordon around Canea, and that
yesterday evening the insurgents at
tackled the Turkish positions at Malaxa
and keratidi where they attempted to
destroy the block house with the use
of dynamite. The fighting, however, was
of desultory nature. and this morning
hostilites were reported TO be al a stand
still.
At II 80 p. m.-The answer of Greece to
the identical notes of the powers was
discussed at the meeting of the cabinet
and approved by King George today. 1t
is understood that the reply is a refusal