The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-11
SITUATION REMAINS GRAVE.
THOUGH THERE ARE SIGNS OF
A PACIFIC SOLUTION OF THE
CRETAN QUESTION.
REEcE'S F|RMNESS UND|M|v|SHED
But at the Same Time Would Accent a
Pacific Solution That Was Reason
able-Three Mammoth Mass
Meetings Held in London.

by the Associated Press.)-The situation
of affairs here as this dispatch is sent
I'll Il. m.) remains grave, although there
are few signs here and there since YES.
terday that a pacific solution of the Gre
tan crisis is yet possible. This is more
particularly SO in the case of Greece. 1t
is believed that the government is sin
cere in not desiring to start any confla-
grafton which may spread far and wide.
The gravity of the situation is recognized
on all sides, and all those interested seem
willing to arrive at peaceful settlement
of the difficulties, if possible. Greece
is displaying undiminished firmness in
her intention to caIy out at all costs
the program which she has mapped out
for herself in regard to Crete, while at
the same time supporting the pacific in
tentions Of her advisers. 1t is stated that
VI. Mauricoridato, the Greek minister at
| Constantinople, has addressed note to
the Turkish government, proposing to re-
call the Greek troops from the frontiers
of Macedonia and ALBANIA. if the Turk
ish troops on the frontier are simulta-
neously withdrawn. The Turkish gov
| eminent has not shown any haste to
accede to this proposal At the same
time this note was sent to the Turkish
| government stringent orders were issued
to the commanders of the Greek troops
in Thessaly to do everything possible to
avoid anything calculated to provoke a
conflict, while the hope was expressed
that the Turkish officials at CONSTANT
nOple would issue similar orders to the
commanders of Turkish troops in Mace
donna.
Dispatches received here from Thessaly
Indicate that the wishes of King George
will be carried out. 1t was stated in
these dispatches that although the Greek
troops are animated, nothing will be done
to commence hostilties. An incident
showing this to be the case has occurred
near Melun. A Greek officer of engineers
was engaged in supervising the work of
repair close to the frontier and was pre-
vented by some Turkish soldiers. The
Greeks have not taken any action in the
matter. though it is claimed they were
well within their rights in proceeding
with the repairs.
On the otner hand, dispatch received
here from Canea at $3.50 Il. m. states that
Col. Nassos, who is in command of the
Greek army of occupation, as it is term
ed, has received at his camp near Pa-
be prepared to resist coercion to the end.
This spirit which pervades all the or
ders sent to the Greek commanders in
Crete is further shown in Canea dis
patch received ut 8 Il. m. this morning
referring to the incident that occurred
ut Selma yesterday. Before deciding to
land the mixed detachment of marines,
the admirals consulted for long time
with the Greek commander, Col. Vassos,
tl,, IL nj Etns, ix
only were returned to the admirals, the
Greek commodore protesting against the
obstacles which Europe placed in the
way Of his action and Col. Vassos as
sorting that he had no authority over
the insurgents who were investing Sc
lima. These replies, coupled with the in
stance of the Greek vice consul replying
that he would only consent to go to Sc
lima on board Greek warshp and in
the name of King George of Greece,
compelled the foreign admirals, in def
themselves to deliver the imprisoned
MOslems, if they had to use force against
the insurgents or Greeks to do so. There
fore Il detachment of marines was land
ed at Selma from the foreign warships
and it set out forthwith for Candmo.
a distance of seven miles. The Greek
vice CONSUL NJ. Barcts, Immediately in
formed the admirals that the Greek gov
eminent disclaimed all responsibility for
what might take place. 1t is said there
are 5000 Moslems beseiged at Candimo,
been partially destroyed by the fire of
the insurgents, many men being killed
ron both sides.
Additional advices from Crete this
morning say the insurgents have formed
Il Gordon around Canea and yesterday
evening the insurgents attacked the
| Turkish positions at Maleta and Kierada.
where they attempted to destroy the
block house with the use of dynamite.
| The fighting, however, was of desu-
| tory nature and this morning hostilitieS
were reported to be at standstill.
| 1t is announced that 900 men of the
! Greek reserves will embark tomorrow
morning at Corfu for Karavarara and
Arta.
! The answer of Greece to the individual
notes of the powers was discussed at n
meeting of the cabinet and approved by
King George today. 1t is reported that
the reply is refusal to recall the Greek
| fleet and troops from Crete on the ground
that the recall would be signal for pill
| lage, incendiarism and murder. The
complete text will not be known until
| it is presented to the ambassadors of
| the powers, and in diplomatic circles it
is said that the Greek answer may lead
to negotiations based upon proposal
! for coercion, which has been presented
by France.
| p. NIT is stated that in the event
of the negative reply of Greece to the
| individual notes of the powers, King
| George has sent orders to Col Vassos,
commander of the Greek forces in
Crete. to hold all the positions now oc-
cupied by him. The king is still here and
the date of his departure for the frontier
has not been fixed.
Every effort is being made to concen-
trate the Greek forces on the Turkish
| frontier before the threatened blockade
of the Greek coast can be effected.
In official circles the hope is now en-
tertained that the powers will accept
the French proposal.
CRETAN GOSSIP IN LONDON.
Little Else Talked About-Three Big
Mass Meetings Held.