The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-13
Seven Propositions Looking tn Coer-
cion of the HeIIenes Considered, but
No Agreement Reached.
HINT TO BRITAIN AND FRANCE
WARNED BY RUSSIA THAT THEY
MAY ISOLATE THEMSELVES
II They DO Not Soon Ger i'm Line with
tween Russians and Turks.

LONDON. March 13-The powers seem
TO find trouble in reaching an agreement
as to the best method of Furnishing obsti-
nate little Greece. The Cabinets of the six
nations were i'm conference yesterday over
the presentation of "A second ultimatum 10
King George. and IL is supposed radical
differences will develop. for up 10 o'clock
this morning agreement was announced
Advices from ST. Petersburg say that IL Is
stated I'm official circles there that the op-
position of Great Britain. and more par
tcuarly that of France. was what pre-
vented the adoption of the proposal TO oc-
cupy Crete with 10000 European troops.
Greece, it is understood is relying on the
effect of public opinion in England and
France, and sort OF threat is held out
in ST. Petersburg that by persistence In
this policy France is endangering the
entente with Russia. and that both Eng
land and France may find themselves in
an unenviabe isolation. opposed TO new
grouping of Russia. Austria and Germany.
A dispatch from Rome says: Italia, the
organ of the Italian Foreign Office. says
the concert of the powers is complete and
a pacific blockade of Crete is imminent.
The sem-ofiicial Fremdenblatt. of Vienna,
says that the view of the Greek reply
taken by the powers is that il be re-
piled TO only by the employment Of force
to induce Greece TO obey the will of Eu-
rope.
The Athens correspondent OF the Times
says some dissatisfaction is beginning TO
express itself against the Greek govern
ment for its failure TO make better provi-
sion for the present crisis. Ii is admitted
that the King took the necessary measures
for the increase of the army. but IL is felt
that the War Department had not made a
proper preparation in the matter of equip
| ments. This. however. is not sufficient to
dampen popular enthusiasm. The students
of the university have issued manifesto
to students throughout the world asking
their sympathy in the struggle against the
| despotic Turks.
DANGER ON THE FRONTIER.
The latest advices from the Greek Frontiers
| indicate that the commander-in-chief has
the utmost difficulty to keep the Greeks in
check. 1t is feared that If the powers real
| ly proceed TO apply coercion nothing can
| prevent a collision. The Turkish consul at
| Larissa is openly arming the Benghazisy
| This act causes intense indignation atS
| Athens. The foreign war correspondents
| have been cordially welcomed by the Greeks
| on the frontier IL is reported at Athens
| that Colonel Vassos has issued second
| proclamation OF Greek sovereignty over
| Crete
The correspondent of the Times at Athens
| says that Colonel Metaxas the Greek war
| minister. who succeeded Colonel Smolenitz
| last week. is the son of a distinguished
| soldier who himself was an intimate friend
| of Lord Byron. 1t is also asserted that
| Metaxas is an excellent officer and has al
| restdy 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 portfolio with great re-
luctance. but was determined to de-
vote himself TO his duties with the utmost
vigor and without regard TO purely political
| considerations. Preparations are now in a
| forward stage All the reservists who ara
| going to the front whether provided with
| uniforms or not, will be better clad I'm any
| event than the Turkish soldiers. he as
| serted. Colonel Metaxas has given orders OF
| the most strict sort TO the army TO avoid Of
| fering provocation; but ii is feared that a
| collision may occur within few days
| ing TO the action of volunteers and peasants
| who have been armed by the Ethnic He
| tairia Secret Society Should the society
| give the signal war would be unavoidable.
| Colonel Metaxas told the Times COR
| respondent that he hoped the powers would
| urge Turkey TO desist massing troops on
the frontier The excitement OF the Greek
troops there is so intense that the slightest
| incident Of a hostile character might pro-
| woke a collision. 1.-THE readiness with
| which the reservists have responded to the
| call OF the government" said Colonel
| Metaxas lis remarkable. There have been
scarcely any defaulters."
1 nef ho rf,,,oc o. rora
| says the foreign admirals went into the
| Apokorona district yesterday afternoon
| Friday) 10 interview the 'nsurgent chiefs.
| 1t appears that the admirals and consuls
| have already discussed the proclamation OF
autonomy since the Porte has agreed TO IL:
| but the powers are not yet in unison as TO
| details and therefore II IS Impossible TO
make an official proclamation. IL is now
| proposed Ito extend the Turkish cordons
| and to settle within them. on properties or
| the local beys, refugees from Candamo.
THE GREEK WAR FLEET.
The commanders OF the Greek cruisers
Alphios and Pinios are still in Cretan
waters and in a most difficult position
Their express orders are only TO retire from
Canea bay under protest. but on no account
TO leave Cretan waters. They are ordered
10 resist to the death ary attack upon
| them for the honor OF the Greek flag and
| nation which reposes confidence in the sons
| of heroes" This latter alluson refers 10
the fact that the Greek commanders are
| descendants OF the Greek chiefs Kon-
| douriotis and Miaulis. The cruisers are
| hourly expected to be fired upon. They are
| not allowed 10 revictual their crews. The
| men are living on biscuits and beans and
| the officers have not slept for three nights
| Every man has written letter OF farewell
| 10 his relatives. Ii is probable that the
| Alphos will take the risk OF visit TO
| another port for the purpose of revictual-
| ing.
The reports OF famine in Crete are proba-
| bly, much exaggerated. Bread is scarce. no
| abundant and the cereal harvest has been
| gathered i'm the eastern portion OF the ISL
| and In spite OF the blockade a steamer
| landed five hundred volunteers yesterday
| (Friday) with Victuals and war material
The correspondents of the Times at
| Athens and Canea both complain OF the de-
| lay I'm announcing officially to the cretans
| the decision of the powers To give them
| autonomy. Neither the cOnSuls nor the ad-
| miras have yet been authorized 20 make
| the announcement. Sir Alfred Billiotti ana
| the Russian consul at Canea agree thai
| such a proclamation would do more 10 re-
| assure the islanders. who as already seen
| at Candamo and Akrotiri. would be inclined
| To acquieSce on learning that autonomy
would be granted.
| The Mussulman refugees who have been
! brought TO Canea are destitute and on the