New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-04
NJ. HANOTAUX OPTIMISTIC.
A SOOTHING STATEMENT BY THE
FRENCH MINISTER


SAYS THE CONDITION OF THINGS IN CRETE HAS
BEEN ExAGGERATED-PACIFIC PROMISES
OF GREECE AND TURKEY.
Parts, April 3-The Minister for Foreign Az
fairs, NJ Hanotaux, replying to question IN the
Chamber Of Deputies. to-day. said 1t was only
fortnight since he divuged the Governments
proposed course in Cretan affairs, and view or
the immensely and complexity Of the interests
involved. the lapse of time was too short to ac-
complsh much. He added that he did not see
cause to reproach the Powers for conducting
such delicate matters in spirit of prudence ana
moderation. At the present mt, he con-
tnued, the programme presented to the ChamDer
Of Deputies. in course Of execution Au-
tonomy had been proclaimed and had not been
so badly received by the Cretans as reported.
The conditions prevailing In the Island OF Crete
were largely exaggerated.
Referring to the possibility of an outbreak OF
war between Greece and Turkey. NJ. Honotaux
remarked that while the situation on the Thes-
salon frontier was full of anxiety, it was al
leviated by the promises of both Turkey and
Greece to abstain from taking the Offensive
The Powers he further explained. have not been
sparing In their warnings to these two countries
On that subject.
The Balkan States continued the Minister for
Foreign Affairs appear to be disposed to main
tain wise attitude thus greatly contributing
to maintain general peace.
Touching upon the question OF the proposed
blockade of Greek ports. NJ. Hanotaux said the
Powers were still planning the bocKaoe OF
Greece. They In full accord on thls SUD
ject. and were determined to prevent events from
developing into a fracture OF the general peace
This he said in conclusion, was the main OBJECT
Of the Powers: they had succeeded In attaining
it up to the present, and he expressed .ne hope d
that they would be able to maintain II 10 the emu
and that a conflict dreaded by every one would
be averted.
TURKS WELL FED AND EAGER TO FIGHT
EpHEM PAcHA HAS ALL THE TROOPS HE WANTS
IN MACEDONIA.
Eassona, Macedonia. April IA war corre-
spondent representing the Associated Press has
arrived at the Turkish headquarters here Inc
Turks are in splendid condition and intensely
eager for a fight Edhem Pacha, the COM
mander OF the Turkish troops. has stopped the
dIspatch of any further reinforcements. as he
considers the forces under his command to be
ample to deal with the Greeks He could con-
centrate over $4,000 men on the Greek frontier
in the vicinity of Elassona within five hours.
Everything Is ready. so that all the forces couid
advance within an hour after the receipt OF in
structions to do So
There having been many stories circulated
regarding the scarcity of food In the Turkish
camps and the alleged bad quality Of the pro-
visions supplied to the Sultans soldiers. the
correspondent made it a point TO make per-
sonal examination of these supplies. He found
them TO be plentiful and of excellent quaiity
After tasting the food supplied TO the turks the
correspondent has no hesitation IN sa!ns, a,,pi ,
sampIing all the dishes. that the rations sup
piled here are superior to those which were
supplied TO the Egyptian troops which took part
in the expedition to Dongola-
..--. --.TPFaCHEROyS- TURKS DIS ARliEl).
THEY ATTACKED BAND OF CHRISTIANS WHO
WERE UNDER PROTECTION OF THE POWERS
Canea Crete April 3.-Admirai Canevaro, the
Italian at,nira in command OF the fleets OF the
Powers authorized insurgents and their famlhes
to quit the Akrotiri peninsula and proceed in
land.
Confiding in the permission Of Admiral Cane
varo the insurgents and their families driving
the cattle along. descended from the heights or
Akrotiri with the intention of moving inland AS
soon es they reached the plain. however. fire was
suddenly opened upon them at a range OF ZVo
wards by . 600 Bashi- Bazouks. The Turkish force
WAS largely composed Of refugees from the garr-
son of Selino who in spite of the promise made l"
the representatives of the Powers. have been re-
armed by the Turkish Governor. They maze
sortie from Canea yesterday evening Tor the eN-
press purpose of nterceptng the insurgents anu
their families having become aware that the
Italian admiral had given the latter PERMISSION
TO move from Akrotiri inland, where they are III
a better position to obtain food supplies than OH
the heights of Akrotiri. and it seems almost In
credible that the foreign officers ashore al Canea
were not informed OF this sortie.
Az soon as the Bashi BaZouks began firing on
tho ,nsurcent party the latter returned the Turk
,sh fire and killed some of their assaiants. But
the fact remains that the international forces did
not take a single step to prevent this collision,
uhcb might have resulted in the massacre OF
largo numbers of women and children, to say
nothinr of the insurgents who had moved from
practically impregnabe position down to an ex-
nosed nlain under the belief that the foreign ad
nirals had guaranteed them a safe passage
across the plains to the hills inland, where the
Rashi- -Bazouks would not dare to follow them.
Then. again the foreign warshps In Suda Bay
did not fire a single shot to check the onslaught
~ the Rashi- BaZOuks upon the insurgent party
and the women and children, although IL was
impossible for the foreign officers not 10 nave
been aware that fighting was In progress
around the Christian band which had left the
fastnesses Of Akrotiri to all intents and pur-
poses under the guarantee OF the great Powers
Of Europe. - ,,, .
ignore the attack of the Bashi- Bazouks, orders
were sent to the international forces ashore to
nroceed to the disarmament OF the Turks; but
these instructions were sent too late TO be OF
avail AS this dispatch is sent, no report OF
the number Of killed and wounded on either
side has reached here.
After the lighting on the pian or Akrotlri,
force OF British sailors landed to hold the
Mussulmans in check. The latter are known TO
have lost heavily. already nifty Killed ana
wounded having been brought In here
All the Mussulmans. reaching the fortified
lines outside the town. coming back from the
0ght. were dsarmed by the Italian sailors and
gendarmes The disarming OF the Mussllmans
greatly incensed all Of their coreliglonsts IN