The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-03-23
THE CRETE CONFLICT.
Greek People Eager for War, but
the Rulers Protest.
ANXIOUS TO AVERT HosT1L1TIBs.
But the Government Dnres Not Recall
Colonel yassos from Crete Unless the
Turkish Troops Were simultaneously
acknowledgements Of the Bloclgade.


ReoaiIed-Iujustics Of the Blockade.
London. March 2s-The Athens cor
respondent says that The Proia, the
ministerial organ, commenting upon
the departure i'm disgust of the Italian
deputy who came to Athens demanding
immediate war, uses language which
breathes the spirit of great moderation
and dwells upon the necessity Of act
ing with prudence and calmness in all
matters involving international obliga-
tions. The Proia also says that the en-
tire expense Of mobilization is being
betrayed by the treasury, the subscrip-
tions from abiSad being very small.
The Times correspondent also says
that various incidents are reported as
showing the irritating attitude taken
by the Turks, and an outbreak of hos
tilities is daily expected. But though
the populace and the army are eager
for war, it is believed that the govern
ment Is sincerely anxious to find
peaceful solution. Yet no government
could venture to recall Colonel Vassos
from Crete unless the Turkish troops
were simultaneously recalled. Against
even this concession, without annex
alton, there would be murmurs, but the
government has a strong majority in
the boule, and the nation would soon
see the prudence of a step which must
lead ultimately to annexation.
The government Is certainly doing
its best to prevent an explosion Col
onel Mauromichalis. commanding at
/ Larissa, and Colonel Manos, command
/ ing at Arta, possess great influence
! with the army. and II is hoped that
/ they may be able to exercise the neces-
/ sary restraint over the troops.
The government emphatitGny denies
I that the Turkish consuls i'm Thessaly
| have suffered any i'll usage whatever,
and the announcement that Turkey
/ has recalled them is interpreted as an
I act of provocation rather than protest.
The special correspondent of The
/ Times who arrived at Larissa yester-
/ day says it was only with the utmost
difficulty that he could find lodgings
as the small town is filed to overflow
ing with 1900 soldiers, and 4,5OO more
are expected at any moment. They
/ are all keen for war, and willing to do
/ any thing they are told to do by their
| officers but they are lacking i'm disci-
! pline and equipment The officers
make the best impression, most OF them
being men Of fine physique, intelligent
| faces and smart appearance The
| general in command says that fire.
/ quently serious difficulties arise on the
| frontier between his troops and the
! Turks in consequence of the absence of
a neutral zone.
The Times Canea correspondent
comments upon the injustice of starv-
ing the insurgents in order to bring the
necessary pressure to bear upon the
| Greek troops in the island. The block
ade, says The Times correspondent, is
useless for the latter object, because
while innocent women and children
suffer misery, the soldiers win be GER
tain to secure food. Fighting like that
which has been going on at Malaxa
will continue as long as Mohamme-
dams are permitted to land provisions
and the Christians are prevented from
doing so.
Roughly speaking, the following is
the relative strength of the two grea'
camps at Elassona and Larissa, though
it is difficult to obtain anything like
the exact figures:
The Turks have 10000 troops and 15O
guns, the Greeks almost 10000 troops
but fewer guns than the Turks. The
GIeehS are Sduly ueHclehl III cLNdlly
while the Turks have 10000 wei
mounted troopers, who are likely to be
fully a match for the superior infantry
Of the Greeks
April is the best month in which t.
begin hostilites, and it is the feeling
on the frontier that something viii
happen about April 6, the anniversar,
of the raising of the standard of tn
cross against the crescent and the be
ginning of the war for the independ
ence of Greece in 1921