The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-13
GREEK WAR MINISTER
Orders His Soldiers to Avoid an
,.M Attack on Turks. I
MAY FIRE ON GREEK CRUISERS

Tho Alphios and Pinos Still in Cretan
Waters, with Orders to "Resist to the
Death Any Attack Upon Them"--The
Opposition of England and France.
London, March 13-A dispatch to The
Times from Athens says that the cabi-
net was in session nearly all of yester-
day. The report that the British con-
sui at Canea, Sir Alfred BstSotti, has
been recalled is not confirmed. q.
The correspondent of The Times at
Athens and Canea both complain Of
the delay in announcing officially to
the Cretans the decision of the powers
to give them autonomy. Neither the
consuls nor the admirals have yet been
authorized to make the announcement
Sir Alfred Billiotti and the Russian
consul at Canea agree that such a
proclamation would do much to reas-
sure the islanders, who as already seen
at Candamo and Akrotiri. would be in
clined to acquiesce on learning that
autonomy would be granted.
The foreign admirals went into the
Apokorona district yesterday after
noon to interview the insurgent chiefs.
1t appears that the admirals and con-
suls have already discussed the proc
lamation of autonomy since the porte
has agreed to it. but the powers are
not yet in unison as to details, and
therefore it is impossible to make an
official proclamation.
Colonel Metaxas, the Greek war min
lister. who succeeded Colonel Smolenitz
last week, Is the son Of distinguished
soldier, who himself was an intimate
friend of Lord Byron. 1t is also assert
ed that Metaxas is an excellent officer.
and has already accomplished great
deal, though his tenure OF position has
been brief.
In the course of an interview Colonel
Metaxas told The Times correspondent
that he had accepted the war port
folio with great reluctance, but was
now determined to devote himself to
his duties with the utmost vigor and
without regard to purely political con-
siderations, Preparations are now in
a forward stage. All the reservists
who are going to the front, whether
provided with uniforms or not will be
better clad in any event than the Turk
ish soldiers. he asserted.
Colonel Metaxas has given orders of
the most strict sort to the army to
avoid offering provocation, but it is
feared that collision may occur
within few days, owing to the action
of the volunteers and PEASANTS who
have been armed by a secret society.
Should the society give the signal war
would be unavoidable. Colonel Me-
taXas said that he hoped the powers
would urge Turkey to desist masslng
troops on the frontier. The excitement
of the Greek troops there is so intense
that the slightest incident of hos
tile character might provoke a COL
lisiOn.
THE readiness with which the re-
servists have responded to the call of
the government" said Colonel Metax-
as, lis remarkable. There have been
scarcely any defaulters."
The commanders of the Greek cruis-
ers Alphios and Pinos are still In Gre
tan waters and In a most difficult po-
sition. Their express orders are only
to retire from Canea bay under pro-
test, but on no account to leave Cretan
waters. They are ordered to resist to
the death any attack upon them, for
the honor of the Greek flag and nation.
which reposes confidence in the sons of
heroes" This latter allusion refers to
the feet that the Greek commanders
are descendants of the Greek chiefs
Kondouriotis and Miaulis. The cruisers
are hourly expected to be fired upon.
Some dissatisfaction is beginning to
express itself against the government
for its failure to make better provision
for the present crisis. 1t is admitted
that King George took the necessary
measures for the increase of the army
but it is felt that the war department
had not made proper preparation in
the matter Of equipments.
This. however, is not sufficient to
dampen popular enthusiasm. The stu
dents of the university have issued
manifesto to students throughout the
world asking their sympathy in the
struggle against the despotic Turks.
The latest advices from the frontier in
dicate that the commander in chief has
the utmost difficulty to keep the Greeks
in check. 1t is feared that if the pow
ers really proceed to apply coercion
nothing can prevent a collision.
The Turkish consul at Larissa is
openly armlng the Benghazis. This act
causes intense indignation. The for
eign war correspondents have been
cordially welcomed by the Greeks on
the frontier. 1t is reported at Athens
that Colonel Vassos has issued Sec
ond proclamation of Greek sovereignty
over Crete.
The reports Of the famine in Crete
are probably much exaggerated Bread
is scarce, no doubt, but oranges, figs
and olives are abundant, and the GER
cal harvest has been gathered in the
eastern portion of the island. In spite
of the blockade a steamer landed 500
volunteers yesterday with victuals and
war material.