Evening star., 1897-02-09
WARSHIPS FOR CRETE
Turkish and Grecian Vessels to Go to
the Island.
SITUATION REGARDED As GRAVY
The Peace of Europe Believed to
Be Threatened.
WHAT Is SAID IN LONDON

ATHENS. February a.-The Official
Gazette today publishes royal decree
commissioning all tie available warshps
Of Greece and ordering the immediate dis
patch OF additional ships to the Island Of
Crete
The CTetan committee here has issued a
proclamation addressed to the people of
Greece calling for assistance from all free
men.
The latest news from Canea Is to the
effect that fighting outside the city still
continues, and that provisional Cretan
government is being formed. The fires.
which were started result of the con-
hcts between Mussdlmans and Chris
Ears, have been eNtinCuished. BY far the
Larger portion of the town is however, a
heap of ruins
The Greek cruiser Hiaoulis has started
.cr Retimo. where the MussulInans have
coupled the Christian quarter and are
pillaging the stores and houses. Three
thousand Turkish troops have been CON
sentrated at Salonika, in readiness TO EN-
lark for the Island of Crete; but the steam
aNigation company refuses TO convey
them to their destination until the money
tor their passage is paid.
Adyices from Cdnea today say that the
Turkish soldiers and armed Mussulmans
nave had fight with the Christians in the
enylrons of Canea. Fifteen soldiers were
killed.
Restraint of Foreign Warships.
LONDON. February o dispatch
10 the Times from Canea, review
ing the recent trou ,les In Crete. says q
hat but for The presence Of the foreign
warships the loss Of life must have been
lar greater. Pumps sent from the men
of-war also prevented the burning Of the
entire town IF Canea. Two whole streets
Were reduced 70 ashes. a large number Of
buildings, including the bishops residence
and the Christian schools, being destroy
ed.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
Athens says that the Turks have been
expelled from Haiepa by strong force,
and that the Sphakiots. or Inhabitants of
the town of Sphakia. on the south, rn coast
of Crete, are now engaged in a desperate
struggle TO regain possession of the place.
The Christians lighting under the flag
of Greece all along the line.
Peace Of Europe Threatened.
Private and official advices and private
letters from English officers show that
the troubles in the Island of Crete are IN
doubtedy caused by Greek agitators and
that the Christians are undoubtedly the
aggressors. The Greek government, be-
lieving that the end oil the Ottoman en-
pire is near, thinks the time. opportane 10
carry out the long-cherished desire 10 an
mex the Island of Crete.
Public officials here and on the con-
tinent regard the situation serious and
as threatening the peace of the whole OF
Europe.
. In the event of a collision between Tur-
key and Greece il is doubtful whether the
entente of the powers could be maintained.
The papers everywhere urge :ha powers
to bring pressure to bear on Greece in
order to prevent her further aggravation
of Turkey.
1t is announced today that Turkish war
ships and a transport have left CONSTANT
nople for the Island of Crete. and that in
spite of the advice of his ministers and of
the ambassadors the sultan favors the
dispatch of troops and repressing the trou-
bles by force
Cause of the Trouble.
says: The immediate cause of outbreak
was the news of the troubles at Heraklion.
Bebore dawn one-half of the Mohamme-
dams had left the town and great num-
bers fired upon Galata and other villages.
The Christians descended from the noun
tains in strong force, and during the next
two days there were incessant conflicts
around Canea in which the Christians ap-
peared to have had the advantage. The
efforts of the consuls and bishop 10 pacify
them failed, and the Monafnmedars, whose
anger had been aroused to the Utmost.
found themselves unable 20 continue their
expedition into the country. The excite
ment among the Christians Of Canca in
creased, but the first fighting in tie town
was on Thursday. II commenced with des-
uitory shots and in a few moments be-
came general and incessant. The shooting
continued until dark. Among the victims
were Turkish soldiers but the trocps
nevertheless under great provocation, Le-
laVel eAcellently'