Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-04-01
The WAR IN CRETE.
Insurgents Defend a Position With
Admirable YalOr.
COL. vAssOs APPEALS 10 EUROPE.
The Block ide of Or, ciau Ports Coutem.
pIattd-A Royal Decree Assembling
One Division Of the Fleet.

LONDON, March 3l.--The Canea
correspondent OF the Standard will
say tomorrow, describing the bem.
bsrdment by the foreign warships OF
the position taken up by the insur-
gents on the hill to the south Of Suda
bay las; evening:
When the Cretans began the attack,
Col. Dor proposed to the ,admirals that
they should land mixed force OF 500
men to dislodge the insurgents from
the positions that they occupied be-
hind strong wall along o ravine.
The Austrian and French ndmirals
were opposed to taking the offensive
and they decided to oonfine their nc-
ton to bonn harding. BY 8 O'CLOCK in
the morning the engagement was in
full blast. The Turkish guns In fort
IEzediu could take only a small part
In the firing, as most of them were
directed seaward, but Turkish frigaie
saelled the Insurgents freely, though
with little effect.
An hour later the foreign manor.
war signaled their intention TO bonn.
bard. The 9roziastiohy fired fret,
then HIM. s. Ardent, and finally the
Austrian gunbost Tiger. Each veesei
fired In It's turn, aiming chiefly at the
Greek flag which was hoisied above
the strong wall.
In spite OF the heavy cannonade
the Cretans held their ground stoutIy,
even throwing out skirmiehers to re-
psl the Turkish outpusts, Though they
were compelled to abandon tuoir own
principal positions behind the stone
wall.
Al 9:45 am. II. M. 3. Camperdown,
the outermost OF the iroDclade, began
firing six-inch shells. The Cretans
thereupon retired slightly, but con-
tinueu heavy fire until 10 O'Clock,
when the Csmperdown, ut range OF
9, 40c yards, fired her big gunr. The
effect was instantaneous. Three out
OF four OF the shells burst directly In
the center of tho iusurgents' position,
and the Cretsns fled heller skelter.
The aim OF the gunners was perfect,
while the formidable noise OF the enor-
nous shells hurdling through the air
was alone enough to frightep any
enemy. Things were now getting too
hot tJ last, and the insurgent flag was
speedily lowered. AT l0:l5 the last
shell fell.
Seeing that the object OF the bom-
bardment was accom- plished, tho Rus
sian and Austrian warships steamed
away for blockade service. The
Ardent returned to Suds. The Turkish
soldiers sailed quietly from tho forts,
occupied the positi ons held by the in
burgente, hOisted the Ottoman flag
with manifestations OF delight, and
even advanced across the open with
GOODNESS, though exposed to the con.
iinuous firing OF the insurgent
sharpsh ooters, who remained in the
ravipe up TO tue last moment.
At 1l.30 a. m. the Turks were still
pouring u rafting rifle ire upon the
retreating masses Of the insurgents,
who replied with wonderful spirit.
The splendid defence OF the position
excited the admiration of all. Until
the Camperdown began to fire heavy
shells the insurgents rather gained
than lost ground, Ia spite OF the tire.
mendous firs OF the Russian vessels.
Altogether about 100 shells were fred.
FROM vAssos TO THE KING.
ATHENS, March 3l.-Col. Vassos,
commander OF the Greek forces IN
Crete, has photographed the following
message to King George:
"Contrary TO their promises, the
ndmirals have permitted bands of
armed Mussuimans ut Csndamo to
pillage and burn houses outside OF the
town, whilo every act OF defense on
the part of the Christians provokes
bombardment by the foreign wsrshipe.
The admirals send their governments
false dispatches declaring that 1 am
guilty of orueltios, that have msssa.
cred the prisoners taken at htalsxa,
and that despite my eolemn dsclara-
tion to the contrary, i intend to attack
Canea. L shall address to the admirals
an energetic protest."
CANEA, March Sl-6 p. m.-Col.