The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-04-08
MODERN COMMANDMENTS.
From the Figaro.

DOmDaTQmenC Is IOI Tie pcOplc
who witness it at a short dis
lance, but who take no part in
it, of course, except as specta
tors. It is probable that ]
would argue from a different
standpoint if the entire city of
Canea had been bombarded;
but from the place where /
stood, in the midst of a crowd
that was massed along the
quays, it seemed to me that /
was looking at 18th Of July
celebration in the harbor of
Toulon or Cherbourg.
The people suspected that
something was going to happen
on account of the numerous
signals that were exchanged
between the warships. No
doubt the Consuls knew all
about it, but they kept the
thing secret. The insurgents,
among whom, beyond a doubt,
there were some regular Greek
soldiers, were advancing by
forced marches upon the town,
and their camp could be dis
tinctly seen upon the heights.
These insurgents, we'll armed
and admirably led, played a
part similar to that of the
Black Flags, famous during
the Tonquin affair, who were
baptized by that name to pre-
vent anybody saying that we
were at war with the Chinese.
The insurgents are Greeks,
armed by Greeks, and led by
Greek officers. Of course they
are not commanded by Col.
Vassoes himself, for he is too
prudent to draw his sword
against all Europe; but, as [
said, they are led by Greek Off
GERS, who enroll the Cretans
that come to them, and take
good care to put them among
regular troops, who care little
about being treated as insur-
gents, provided they are able to
prepare the road for the army
in the rear.
For moment everybody be-
lieved that these fellows, what
ever they may be called, were
going to capture Canea. All
the warnings that the Admi-
rails sent to them amounted to
nothing, and the situation was
rendered peculiar in the fact
that the commander Of the
Greek naval forces could not
or would not receive any COM
munications, except those in
regard to the regular troops Of
Col. Vassos; and he would not
accept any message from the
so-called insurgents, whom he
did not consider it his duty to
recognize officially.
The latter continued to adj
vance bravely, while at the
same time they used all the
strategy that was necessary in
that rugged country in which
a surprise might be expected
at every turn of the line OF
march. Infantry fire was ex-
changed with the Turkish out
posts. The Turks, seeing that
the fleets did not move and that
they were in danger in the face
of Europe to be attacked in
Canea, decided to apply the
principle, defend yourselves
Therefore, they sent some
troops, or rather some patrols
to meet the insurgents, because
the Sultan, less prompt or more
docile than the Greeks, was
not able to send reinforcements
to the island.
In the skirmishing for the
outposts, although it was not
very serious, the Turks, it must
be admitted, did not show to
advantage. The insurgents
continued their advance. We
expected an assault the next
day or the day after at the
furthest, but the fleets thought
that it was time for them tt
take a hand in the game. L
was not Very long. The fire
lasted about ten minutes, but
for the spectators it appeared
very much shorter. The spec
tacle during those minutes was
so exciting that nobody motto
ed the time. The entire Grove
massed on the seashore, watch
ed with avidity and even ad
miration this splendid scene
There were hardly any more
Christians in the town, but al
the Mussulmans were in thei1
most picturesque gatherings