Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
WAR IS SPOKEN OF.
GREECE MAY DECLARE 1T
AGAINST THE TURKS.
CRETAN BLOCKADE PUT IN FORCE.
but Greek Troops VIII Not Leave
the Island-EngIand Sends Sol
dorses the Procedure.

ATHENS. March ia prolonged meet
ing OF the Cabinet was held to-day. The
Ministers discussed at great length the
attitude TO be taken In the event the
Powers attempted TO coerce Greece into
compliance with their demands. 1t is
stated that no disposition was shown to
accede to the demands. and that IT was
finally decided to take active measures
as the only possible solution Of the diff
Guilty
1t is thought that by active measures is
meant a declaration OF war against
Turkey which would give Greece Tire
right to maintain her army in Crete and
deprive the Powers Of any right Of in
reference
A TRIFLE MAY START WAR.
LONDON, March 1.-THE Chronicle
Daily Mail. and Telegraph have corre-
spondents with the Greek forces on the
Thessalian frontier. They all concur in
their descriptions OF the rapid massing
and continual drilling Of the troops. They
add that the excitement and enthusiasm
Of the soldiers form a dangerous element
Of the situation, as trihe may start
conflict with tho Turkish forces on the
frontier, who arc in sight Of the Greeks.
BLOCKADE IN EFFECT.
VIENNA. March 1.-THE blockade of
the ports OF the Island of Crete by war
ships of the concerted European Powers
went into effect to-day.
II is announced here that until the
Powers shall decide upon the appointment
of d Governor for Crete. a commissioner
will act in that capacity in the name OF
the European Powers and the Porte.
GREEKS WILL NOT LEAVE.
LONDON. March ga dispatch to the
Times from Athens says that since the
action of the Powers I'm ordering a be-
ginning of coercive measures against
Greece became known i'm Greece, popular
determination that the Greek army of
occupation shall never be withdrawn from
Crete has become stronger than ever.
The people are unanimous in this matter,
and King and government have no choice
but to swim with the tide Of popular
feeling. Colonel Vassos, commanding the
Greek troops in Crete, is fortifying his
position upon the upands at Aligianu.
FRANCE Is SATISFIED.
PARIS. March 16-M. Hanotaux. Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs, made in the Senate
to-day a declaration Of the policy of
France I'm the matter Of the Graeco-Cre-
tan situation similar to that which he
made I'm the Chamber OF Deputies yester-
day. when he announced that France
would adhere TO the concert policy, and
at the conclusion Of his statement asked
for a vote Of confidence In the govern
ment. The Senate then attested its con-
fidence in the governments policy by a
. vote of 2i0 to 81.
BALFOUR NON-COMMITTAL
LONDON, March 16--In the House Of
Commons Hon. 4. J. Balfour made the
following announcement on behalf Of the
government. I'VE have to-day addressed
a communication to the Powers In regard
to Greece. but It Is impossible, as it
would be- improper and against public in
terest, either to state the terms Of the
communication or TO encourage debate on
the subject"
ENGLISH SOLDIERS FOR CRETE.
A dispatch from Malta says that 600
British troops were ordered 10 Crete
from that station to-day. In answer
TO a question by the Earl OF Kimberly,
late Minister Of Foreign Affairs in the
House OF Lords to-day. Lord Salisbury
said that instructions had been sent 10
the Admirals commanding the foreign
warships i'm Cretan waters to put the
blockade Of the ports Of the Island of
crete into operation at once.
Lord Kimberly asked that the govern
ment make a further and more explicit
statement In regard to the Cretan situa-
tion, but Lord Salisbury referred him to
the admirable speeches delivered by For
elgn- Minister Hanotaux and NJ. Meline in
the French Chamber of Deputies yester-
day, I'm the sentiments expressed, in
which he 0ord Salisbury said he
heartily concurred.
Lord Kimberly: But I should prefer
10 have a statement Of Great Britain's
policy by Great Britains ministers"
Lord Salisbury: THE policy OF the
Powers was explained I'm the speeches
Of NM. Hanotaux and Melne. If l have
not used their brilliant language. it is
my misfortune and my fault"
In the lobbies Of the house the re-
marks of Lord Salisbury are regarded as
Indicative of an aim on the part of the
Premier TO secure a closer entente with
France. and also as indicating that Eng
land and France are closer united with
one another i'm an understanding in re-
gard TO Crete than they are with the
other Powers.
GREEK VESSELS GONE.
CANEA. March lG.-As a result Of the
operations of the blockade of Cretan
ports by the combined fleets OF the
Powers. the Greek squadron, with the
exception of two small warships, left
Cretan waters to-day.
The two vessels that remain are pre-
pairing to take their departure.
THESSALIANS IN MACEDONIA.
ATHENS, March 16.-Information has
been received here that two bands Of
Thessalians. one of 1000 men and the
other of 300 have entered Macedonia
from Larissa and Volo districts Of Thes-
sally.
NO IMPORTATION IN ENGLAND.
LONDON, March 1.-THE Standard will
tomorrow publish dispatch from Athens
saying that up TO this evening the gov
ernment has received no official informa-
ton that the fleets OF the Powers were
blockading Crete a dispatch from Wen
ma 10 the same paper says that the yep
resentatives OF the Powers I'm CONSTANT
nople have been entrusted with the task
OF framing a scheme Of autonomy for
Crete. Their work will be partly facili-
tated by consultation with the Porte
THE TRiNsNAAL RAIE