Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-26
CRETAN SETTLEMENT
GREAT BRITAIN's PROPOSALS on
THE SUBJECT.
ADMINISTRATIVE AUTONOMY.
The Island to Remain Part of the
Turkish Empfre-Lord Salisbury
Loudly Checrcd or Making the
statement.

/ OF Lords to-day Lord Salisbury an
pounced that telegram had been sent
TO the British representative at the capt.
tai OF each of the combined European
Powers. the phraseology OF which was
as follows:
Inform the government to which you
are accredited that her Majesty's gov
eminent propose TO make the following
declaration Of the policy they intend to
pursue, which they believe to be in ac-
cordance with that Of their allies:
"First-That the establishment Of ad-
mnistrative autonomy in Crete is ne
cessary to the termination of interna-
| tional occupation of that island.
"second-That, subject to such system
of administrative autonomy, Crete ought
to remain a portion Of the Turkish en-
| pire.
"Thlrd-That the governments Of Tur-
/ key and Greece ought to be informed Of
this resolution.
"Fourth-That If either Turkey or
/ Greece should persist in refusal when
required to withdraw her naval and
military forces from the Island the
|
| force"
STATEMENT FROM SALISBURY.
There was a large attendance Of Peers
/ and visitors at the opening OF the sltIihs
| NJ the House of Lords this evening. Seve-
/ raj Peeresses were present, and num-
| her of Bishops other than those entitled
| TO sit in the House of Lords, together
with some members Of the House OF
! Commons. looked on from the galleries.
Soon after the House came to order,
Lord Dunraven rose and made formal
| request that the government inform the
| House as to the exact situation in Crete
and the governments negotiations with
| the Powers looking TO a settlement OF the
| difficulties.
Lord Salisbury, upon rising to reply
/ was tremendously cheered, and when the
( cheering had subsidized, said that tele-
gram had been sent to the British repre-
| sentatives at the capital Of each OF the
combined European Powers, the phrase
! ologv OF which was as above stated.
The whole incident occupied but twenty
minutes. Subsequently the Earl OF KIM
| berley held conference with Sir VIII
! liam Harcourt in a private room.
! The Conservatives are unanimous In
| their approval OF the method OF settle
ment Of the Cretan difficulty.
TURKISH WITHDRAWAL.
Lord Salisbury said 1t did not follow
/ that the Turkish troops would be with
drawn from Crete Immediately; neverthe-
| less. the practical withdrawal of her
| troops from the island was a necessary
| condition to the establishment of autono-
my. and they would therefore be with
| drawn.
| The Premier then gave as instances OF
Il ..s...- /. of
government which now obtains in the
Island Of Samos, a Turkish possession,
and which formerly prevailed in Servia,
and proceeded TO say he imagined that
the Powers would require the Greek
| troops i'm Crete to be withdrawn at an
earlier date than the Turkish troops; but
he was unable to give any further details
until he knew what decision had been
reached by the Powers. Still, it was his
| belief that the Powers recognized the
| principles he had announced as animating
| their policy.
Lord Kimberley, who was Minister OF
Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet OF Lord
Salisbury, said that the statement just
made by Lord Salisbury was one of great
gravity. and would require careful con-
sideration on his part before he felt pre-
pared TO make any observations thereon.
The House then adjourned.
IN THE COMMONS.
The floor and galleries Of the House or
Commons were crowded with members
and spectators at the opening OF to-day's
sitting, i'm view of the announcement i'm
the newspapers this morning that the
government would define their policy in
regard TO Crete. Shortly after the Speak
er had taken his seat. Right Hon. \. y.
Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury and
the government leader in the House OF
Commons, made a statement similar to
the one made by Lord Salisbury in the
House Of Lords, at the conclusion of
which Sir William Harcourt, the leader OF
the Opposition, said that the statement
concerning the Cretan situation and the
methods to be employed i'm it's settlement,
which had just been laid before the House
by Mr. Baifour, was of the gravest cha
racter. 1t affected the present and future
relations of Great Britain with the Pow
ers Of Europe. besides Turkey and Greece,
and it's gravity was especially shown IN
it's last paragraph. relating to the en-
ployment Of force in the event OF the per-
sistent refusal OF Turkey or Greece TO
comply with the demands Of the Powers.
He requested the government to fix an
early date for debating the matter.
GREECE STILL DEFIANT.
LONDON. February %, A. MA dis
patch from Athens to the Central News
says that King George and lis Cabinet pro-
claim their resolve 10 maintain their pres
ent policy. They declare IL is impos-
sible for them to recall the Greek troops
from Crete.
The Athens correspondent Of the
Standard teegraphs that Il IS reported
that Colonel Smolentz. Minister Of War.
has renewed his offer 20 resign. There
are signs that the remainder OF the Cabi-
net are inclined 20 take a similar step,
but any indication Of retreat from the
Kings policy would involve the greatest
danger TO the Throne. II is, therefore
unlikely that there viii be any falter-
ing in the highest quarter. There is,
doubtless, a grim popular determination
to follow the sacrifices already made 10
the bitter end An expression Of the
evaporation felt at the attitude Of the
Powers was given to-day, when 300 vol
unteers. who had been prevented by the
warships from landing in Crete. marched
through the stress, accompanied by
military bands.
IL is understood that the note OF the
Powers was received to-day. and that It
will be presented 10 the government to-
morrow.
CRETANS WILL NOT YIELD.
The reply will probably be dictated by
the resolution Of the Cretans TO yield
only to superior force.
The proposal Of the Powers is re-
garded as a precarious makeshift. which
will not end the crisis.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop OF
Athens has sent details OF the sufferings
OF the Cretans to the Pope, praying that
he use his best offices 10 procure an
equitable solution OF the trouble.
The blockade OF Crete is now beng
strictly maintained. Inc scarcity or pro-
,,isions is beginning TO be felt. The for
-. nhr,irnle have stopped all commune