The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-14
THE CREEK CROSS
IN THE CASE OF CRETE 1T WAS
OF THE DOUBLE
VARIETY.
THEIR PERFIDY EXPOSED.
AN AMERICAN CONSUL GIVES SOME
VERY DAMAGING TESTIMONY
OF 1T.
PLAN OF THE POWERS IS FIXED.
London Believes "a Pacific Blockade
VIII Be Begun on Monday to
COerce George.

LONDON, March 13.-The Cretan
question is still absorbing the atten-
ton of Europe, and the newspapers
here are full Of speculation from all the
capitals as to the next move Of the
powers. All kinds of so-called semi
official statements are afloat, and many
of them are undoubtedly balloons,
launched by the various governments
in order to test the drift of popular and
ministerial feeling in the matter One
idea, however, is gaining ground-that
there will be no war and that Greece
must climb down. An indication of
this is shown in a statement of NJ.
Zaimi, president of the Greek chamber,
telegraphed here today, in which he
says he is personally disposed to ac-
cept the proposal of autonomy for the
annexation to Greece.
The fact is that in Europe even
the people who at first supported the
Greeks when they thought their object
was the freedom of the Cretans are now
firing, as it is seen that the sole aim
Of the Greeks apparently, is annexa-
ton. The news of Commodore Reinck's
perfidy in not communicating to the in
mands Of the powers as we'll as their
proposition to grant autonomy to the
island has been a severe blow to the
cause of Greece, while a letter from
NJ. J. Stillman, formerly United States
consul at Canea, to the Times has
thrown further unpleasant light upon
the Greek methods. Mr. Stillman says
that at the end of the long revolt Of
1860 the Cretans obtained conces-
sions which afforded most substantial
satisfaction, including complete auton-
Omy. Mr.. Stillman, as United States
consul at Canea was the intermediary
between the insurgents and the grand
ViZier At that moment the Greek
government stopped the supplies of
food and powder, which largely came
from the foreign Cretan committees,
and OstentatiouSly sent to Crete a band
of volunteers commanded by Chief Pet
ropOulaks, a friend of the then Greek
premier. This chief unopposed by the
Turks, took command of all the insur-
gent forces, and without firing a shot
yielded the islands to the Turks, not
even STIMULATING that amnesty should
be granted to the chiefs, and the revolt
was suppressed in the moment Of it's
supreme triumph by Athenian friends.
Mr. Stillman adds that he can give
all the details of this infamous trans
action in every phase thereof. But the
foregoing shows it is the policy Of the
king of Greece and of a large part Of
the Athenian statesmen to refuse any
settlement of the Cretan question eX-
cept annexation to Greece. The story
cabled from New York of the Greeks
drawing back from sailing on the
Sarnia has been widely printed here.
and, coupled with the news from Ath-
ems that thousands of reservlsts, who
were supposed to be crazy to meet the
Turks, have failed to respond to the
call to arms. has created an unfavor-
able impression. In addition the tales
Of tremendous enthusiasm elsewhere in
Greece are said to have been grossly
exaggerated. There is plenty of noise
in the streets, chiefly from the foreign
volunteers; but the government is
meeting with very serious difficulty in
the mobilization of the Greek recruits
The foreign volunteers are a motley
crew, every province being represented
by different dress. Walking in the
streets of Athens are seen Adams and
Macedonians in kits, Thessalian peas
ants and AEGEAN islanders in baggy
Turkish trousers, and Cretans In a suit
Of brigand costume with taWny, naked
legs thrust into tight-ftting sea boots
Most Of them are sent to the frontier
owing to their lack Of uniforms.
There is little doubt that Greece Is
disappointed at the attitude Of the
Balkan states, which have apparently
decided to sit on the fence for a while
According to one authority, Russian in
f1uenee has been brought to bear on
Sofia. and has prevented Prince Alex
ander's visit from resulting in a definite
understanding with Servia and Bull
orf1i hn flI4r Of
donia. The latest indications tonight
point to a pacific blockade Of Greece
and that it will be enforced on Mon
day next.