Evening star., 1897-02-16
Foreign Flags Are Floating Today
Over Canea.
HUNDREDS OF MARINES HAVE LANDED
Greek Military Commander Refused
to Withdraw His Troops.
A SUCCESSFUL DEFIANCE

Inc 1tuSSldn, FRENCH British, Italian and
Austrian flags are floating over Canea to-
day, and the fact causes general satisfac-
ton here. The state of uncertainty which
has SO long prevailed is now at an end
and the Christians believe themselves to be
rid, for all time. of Mussulman rule. There
are 45O foreign marines ashore, and they
occupy the best positions in the town. the
British being quartered in a large building
adjoining the telegraph office. The Rus
sian, French. British and italian warships
each furnished one hundred marines to the
landing party, and the Austrian warship
contributed fifty men to the foreign gar
rison. The utmost order is maintained
guards are regularly mounted and the out
skirts of the town are patrolled.
Shortly after landing yesterday afternoon
the Italian officer, who is in command of
the foreign force, by agreement between
the naval commanders. issued a summons
addressed to Col Nassos, the commander of
the Greek army corps at Platonics, to with
draw his troops. and the insurgents were
called upon to cease hostilities, pending the
decision OF the powers as to the future of
Crete.
Greek Defiance.
To this the Greek commander replied: II
have come here with four battalions of
Greek troops. with orders to occupy the
country, and l must carry out my orders,
pending further Instructions
The orders of the foreign admrals being
confined to preventing the landing of Greek
forces at Canea. Ratimo and Heraklion,
they could not interfere with the Greeks
under Col. Vassos.
Later an officer of gendarmes was sent to
Akrotiri to notify the insurgents of the
joint occupation of Canea by the forces
of the powers. and calling upon them to
lay down their arms and cease hostilities.
The insurgent leaders promised to consider
the matter, and, it is understood will send
a delegation for the purpose to Canea.
The occupation Of Carea was carried out
by the foreign fleets with the consent of
the Turkish officials and is not in any way
likely to add to the complications at Con-
stantinople. The commander of the Greek
fleet was also formally notified of the joint
occupation of this place.
The Turkish authorities are demoralized
and are simply following out the recon-
mendations they receive from foreign adj
mirals, WIN are acting in accord and con-
suit upon every step to be taken.
A Provisional Government.
1t is thought that the next departure will
be the establishment of provisional Chris
tian government of Crete, pending consent
of the powers being given to the annexation
of the island to Greece, although it does
not seem as If that country was willing to
wait any longer for the necessary permis-
sion and intends to administer all parts of
the island not occupied by the foreign
marines. If Turkey is willing to accept the
situation and submit to the annexation of
Crete to Greece the fol- eign marines will be
promptly withdrawn and Greece. in turn,
will withdraw her feet from Cretan wa
ters.
Ismail Bey, the Turkish official who has
succeeded Georgi Berovitch Pasha gov
ernor of Crete, has been in communication
with the foreign admirals and is understood
to have entered a formal protest against
no a ling nf he a
great massacre is reported to have
occurred at Sitit, and the Italian warship
Daria has been hastily dispatched to that
place.
HaIepa and it's vicinity are now tranquil.
1t is reported that strong reinforcements
of Greeks will be landed on the island to-
day.
Greece's Firm Decision.
Copyright, 1897, by the Associated Press.)
ATHENS, February 16.-It is generally
believed here that the Cretan feature of
the eastern question is now almost a thing
of the past, and that the landing of Greek
troops on the Island Of Crete, as exclusive
ly announced by the Associated Press yes
terday afternoon, is not likely to turn out
a casus belli between Turkey and Greece.
The decision of Greece to persist in the
occupation of Crete and the protection of
the Christians OF that island, in spite of
the attitude of the powers, is foun, I on
the declaration of the Cretans that they
are prepared to shed the last drop of their
blood in order to attain their national as
pirations. which. they add, cannot be sat
isfed with anything short of complete
union with Greece.
These circumstances were communicated
by Greece to the powers and the policy of
the Greek government has been carried
out In every point.
Orders to Col. Vassos.
An order Of the minister of war, NJ
hae cd
Col. Vassos. aid-de-camp of King George,
commander of the Greek army corps land
ed yesterday at Platonics, short distance
from Canea.
After explaining that the action of
Greece is due to the fact that she is un-
able to tolerate any longer the "lamentable
situation Of the Christians in Crete, to
whom we are united by the sacred ties of
religion" the order proceeds:
The government, consequently, has de-
cided to occupy the island in the name of
King George and raise his flag over the
fortresses. OF which you will take posses
sion.
IAN your actions shall be accomplished
In conformity with the Greek laws, In the
name Of King George and on the RESPONSE
bility Of his government.
80 soon as you have landed you will
publish proclamation announcing the oc-
cupation of the island by the Greek
troops"
This has been DONE Colonel vassos. after
landing at Platonics, issued proclamation
to the Cretan people, announcing the oc-
cupation Of the island in the name of King
George Of Greece and calling upon the
TURKS to surrender to the Greek forces
The r.servists who have been called to
the colors are rapidly registering at the
different military centers. 1t is hoped
however, that the most serious difficulty to
be anticipated Is a possible severance Of
diplomatic relations between Greece and
Turkey.
What Greece Expects.
The annexation Of Crete by Greece, a re-
suit foreshadowed in these dispatches at
the commencement Of the disturbances, js
now q fait accompli, and 1t is not thought
likely that the powers win do anything
further IN the matter than they have done
namely. formally occupy the island for the
present.
In the meanwhile diplomatic negotiations
on the subject continue between the am
bsssadors OF the powers At Constantinople
Who In turn are In constant communicat tion
with the porte.
Reinf0rcemsnts Of men, arms and ammu-
nition are ON their way from Greece fu
Crete, and II q intfmated that IN due course
Of time the marines from the foreign war