The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-22
COLONEL VASSOS' POSITION CRITICAL.
Neither Greece nor Turkey Can Long Sustain
the Armies They Have Modified.
Cretans Will Oppose the Greeks Withdrawing
Until the Turks Have Been
Ordered Home.

LONDON, March 22.-The Athens
correspondent of the Times says a
strong gale is blowing across the
Aegean sea, which will make the block
ade exceedingly difficult. 1t is reported
that the admirals purpOsely refrained
from interfering with vessels which re-
Gently landed provisions in Crete, one
having discharged it's cargo at Akrotiri
almost under the eyes of the admirals
The necessity of removing the Turkish
troops from the island becomes more
and more imperative. Absolutely moth
ing else, continues the correspondent
will convince the Cretans of EurOpes
sincerity. 1t may be regarded as GER
tain that they will even prevent the
departure Of the Greek army by force
until the Turks have gone. There is
no time to be lost. 1t is impossible that
Greece and Turkey could long support
the armies they have modified. Either
may prefer provoking a struggle to see
ing Its troops starve.
The foreign warships have already
arrived at Crete, and the sultan should
be induced, the correspondent says, II
make a voluntary recall Of his troops
Greece might then be willing to recall
Col. Vassos.
1t is reported from Jerusalem that thu
Greeks and Arabs in Palestine are
greatly excited by recent events. Thou
sands are receiving communion at the
mosque of the Holy Sepulchre and pre-
pairing to take the field against the
Turks in the event of war
A dispatch to the Times from Canea
says Chief ManOuli, at ROdia, repre-
sentS that the insurgents mistOok the
Austrian warship Sebenico for Turk
iSh vessel and thus were misled into
a hostile action. The Christians are
very angry at the proposed landing Of
British troops, for they assume that
these will side with the Mohammedan5
LONDON, March 22.-The Athens
correspondent of the Chronicle says
that all the Greek newspapers protest
against the blockade, and the question
is raised as to whether Turkish vessels
will be allowed to enter Cretan ports.
There is no confirmation Of the rumOr
that the Greek troops have crossed the
frontier into Epirus. The Turkish
troops there occupy strong positions,
except on the coast, which is open to d
sea attack.
The Daily Chronicles correspondent
at Canea says the Moslem beys OBJ
jtct to autonomy, because they fear
they will he compelled to leave the
island without compensation for their
large landed interests which are heav-
lily mOrtgaged to Christians. MOslems
own two-thirds of the lands in Crete
but the whole country is now practical
ly in the control of the insurgents. No
body, continues the correspondent, be-
lieVeS that a scheme of autonomy, such
as the powers propose, is really work
able. 1t would only serve to accentu-
ate existing feudS. The Chronicles
correspondent at Canea says the
Italian officers returned last night
Sunday from the camp of Col Vassos
in the center of the island, and they
report that he has declared his inten-
ton to resist any attempt to force the
withdrawal Of the Greek troops. He
said he would himself tear up every
copy Of the autonomy proposition that
came his way and he gave them the
impression that he intended to assume
the offensive.
While shots were being exchanged
Saturday at AkrOtiri between the
Turks and insurgents, a Turkish frigaGc
shelled the insurgent position in full
view Of the European fleet. The result
OF the Smelling is not known. Some in
SuISenIS at AKrOIlT1 DeSS6u IOOu from
the ships, but the admirals declined to
give them anything except medical aid,
Unless the gale abates it will be diff
fiCult to land the foreign troops.
The Athens correspondent of the
Daily Chronicle denies that King
George has promised not to bring about
an uprising in Macedonia, and asserts
that the sultan himself suggested
amicable negotiations with King
C-pOTera skiing the pZ1r n act q med
iatOr. Count Muravieff replied instant
ly: Russia would never countenance
such a perfidiOus proposal" 1t was
then that Russia urged Turkey to take
hostile measures.
ATHENS, Marco 21.-It is rumored
here that the Greek government has
offered TO purchase the island of Crete,
and that a gentleman known to be
closely connected with the palace party