The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-17
Powers Give Greece 48
Hours 10 Withdraw.
Everything Now Depends on
King Georges Action.
The Greek Commander Declares
That He Will obey Orders.

LONDON, FEB. ia dispatch 70 The
Oaily Mail from Vienna says IL is re-
ported that the powers have addressed
a collective note TO Greece. demanding
che withdrawal OF her naval and mill
tary forces from the Island OF Crete
within 4s hours. failing which. the port
OF Piraeus will be blockaded and genera.
hostilities commence.
A dispatch TO The Times from Canea
says that all was quiet there when the
occupation OF the Island OF Crete was
completed on the night of Monday, Feb.
IL. The commanders OF the foreign
squadrons sent a joint note to Ismail
Bey. the newly appointed governor of
Crete, successor TO Prince Georgi Bero-
witch. resigned, informing him that they
had addressed an ultimatum TO the com
modore of the Greek fleet, requiring him
10 withdraw from Cretan waters. They
requested the governor, Ismail Bey, TO
find a way OF notifying the insurgents of
this fact. and OF sumInoning them to
yield ur their arms, also Of informing
them that the powers had taken meas
Tres to prevent Greece from interfering
in the affairs OF Crete. An Italian gen.
darmerie officer was at once dispatched
with flag Of truce TO the lines Of the
insurgents at Akrotiri. He delivered
the message, but the chief OF the insur-
|Gents replied that they would maintain
their present position, and eend a def
mite reply In behalf OF the revolutionary
ASSEMBLY Monday. Their action VIII
probaly depend upon the course adopted
| by Colonel Vassos. the commander of
the Grecian forces on the Island of
Crete. Captain Mandate was sent TO
Platana. where the outpost of the in
surgents conducted him 10 the camp OF
the Greeks. Colonel Vassos detained
him all night. and then declared that he
did not recognize the Turkish vail, but
would execute the orders OF the King of
Greece and occupy Crete. Captain Man
dato reports that the Greeks have two
battalions OF infantry, one OF artillery
and two mountain guns, together with
many Greek volunteers. The Greek
army OF occupation has taken up po-
sition between Galata and Platania.
II. NJ. S. Camperdown and II. NJ. S.
Alert are watching tha lneighboring
coast.
Firing was heard all day In the west
ern districts. The Greek commodore
has not yet replied to the ultimatum is
sued by the powers. The Hydra and
two smaller Greek warships appeared
off Canea yesterday. One of
the small warships departed
from Canea harbor at sunset The
French cruiser Immediately started In
the same direction.
Everything now depends upon the de-
cIsion of the Grecian government whose
predicament is unenviable. Nothing
can Justify Prime Minister Delyannis
in continuing the useless struggle.
He can hardly have forgotten the con-
secucnces of resistance to Europe in
1856, and he has already done more than
enough 10 clear himself of the accusa-
tion by his opponents OF Indifference to
the interestsof Hellenism. King George
could hardly have taken any other
course than that OF yielding 10 the storm
of popular excitement. and his position
entities him 10 much sympathy.
The situation at Retimo is alarming.
The consuls urgently demand the imme-
dlate landing Of troops for the purpose
Of saving from pillage the houses OF
the Christians.
The Athens correspondent OF The
Standard says that the insurgents on the
Island of Crete are everywhere swear
ing loyalty TO King George OF Greece
Five hundred troops started yesterday,
nnd will land on the Island OF Crete to-
day.
Quantities of stores, provisions and
munitions OF war are also being dis
patched TO Crete. The foreign ministers,
the German representative excepted
have collectively advised the govern
ment to recall the feet and troops, but
this is not regarded seriously. An un-
broken stream OF refugees continues to
arrive from Crete.