The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-06
TAKING THE TURKS TO TASK.
EXPLANATION OF THE BAsHI-BA-
ZoUI< ATTACK DEMANDED.


Making 1t Hot For the Governor
of Crete ON Account of the Attack
on the Insurgcnts-Surrend Of
Twelve of the Leaders of the At
tack DemRndcd-Ehe Opposition to
the Governments Policy Keeping
Up Its Attnck in the House OF COM
mons.
Canea, April 5.-The Russian consul here
requested the governor to explain the at
tack that was made by Bashi-bazouks
Saturday on the insurgents on the Akro-
tiri peninsula, while the latter, acting on
| the consent of the foreign admirals, were
about to retire to the interior of the is
land. The governors reply was very brief,
he remarking that the circular issued on
March % placed the whole police force of
Canea and the environs of the city in the
| hands of the European commanders.
The admirals will hold an inquiry into
! the arming of the Moslem refugees who
| have fiocked into Canea since the begin
ming of the troubles and who took part in
! Saturdays attack upon the Christians un-
der the eyes of the foreign military COM
manders and the guns of the foreign war
| ships. The admiras win also inquire as
| to the number of rifles that are now in
| the Turkish government depot. They will
also ascertain what, IL any, measures
| have been taken by the Turkish officials
| to deport refugees from the island.
The presence of force of international
troops in the blockhouse at Butsunaria
has not had the effect of preventing the
insurgents from attacking that position.
! To-day strong bodies of insurgents 9p-
| preached the blockhouse from several di-
| rections and made a concurrent attack
upon it. The garrison replied with artil-
lery. The fighting lasted for four hours.
| The disarming of the Bashi-bazouks who
! participated in the fight on the peninsula
! of Akrotiri was not a complete success,
owing to the fact that those who first
/ reached the gates of the city and had
| their arms taken from them subsequently
returned along the Suda road and warm
! ed their comrades that to take their wea.
| pons into Canea meant to lose them.
| Many rifles were hidden, but to-day a
search for the weapons resulted in the
finding Of a number Of them. The work
will be proceeded with until all the arms
of the Bashi-bazouks are taken from
| them.
The admirals commanding the foreign
| fleet to-day made a vigorous demand upon
the governor to explain why he had arm
| ed the Bashi-Bazouks, despite his promise
not to do so. They have also insisted upon
the surrender to them Of twelve of the
| leaders of Saturdays attack. IL is thought
| that interesting complications will follow
| If the governor refuses to surrender the
ringleaders.
OF the 4,OOO rifles that were distributed
TO the Moslem refugees only 500 have been
returned.
Col. Vassos, the commander of the Greek
army Of occupation, has sent to the adj
miraIs a notification that insurgents fir
ing upon Europeans will be shot.
| r,a~.4a.4f..a.Iz rrha ,>o-4. ho.
issued a categorical deniel to the rumors
that negotiations have issued between
Turkey and Greece looking to a settle
ment of the Cretan embroglio.
London. April SIN the House of Com
mons to-day G. N. Curzon, under foreign
secretary, stated, in answer to question
by Rt Hon. John Morley, that all of the
European powers, except Germany had
landed troops i'm Crete. Germany, he ad-
ded, had not explained why she had re-
Trained from sending troops, as the other
powers had done.
Right Hon. A. ]. Balfour, first lord of
the treasury, said that Great Britain
would not hesitate to participate in a
blockade of Greece, II such action became
necessary in the interests of peace.
Sir William Harcourt, the leader of the
opposition, said il was his desire that the
country should know the policy Of the
| government more Qelnitely lndn IL was
| known at present, and he, therefore gave
notice that he would move an address to
the queen, praying the forces of the crown
shall not be employed against the kingdom
of Greece or the people Of Crete. QLiberal
cheers)
Mr.. Balfour said that the ministerial
majority would give a day TO be devoted
to debating a motion directing a vote Of
censure against the government, but he
would not promise yet whether or not
they would grant a day for debating one
put in the form indicated by the notice
given by Sir William Harcourt.
| Sir william Harcourt asked whether the
Turkish troops would be withdrawn from
Crete, and whether the British forces
would take part in a blockade Of Greece.
Upon these matters, he desired the gov
ernmeht TO make a definite statement,
and also to announce the policy OF the
government in regard to Greece and Crete
Mr.. Balfour said that the date Of the
! withdrawal Of the Turkish troops from
Crete had not yet been fixed. In the mean
| time he said the powers were making
| Joint declaration TO the government at
Athens and 20 the government at Con-
stantinople as the result OF which II was
hoped that peace would be maintained.
This declaration was that in the event Of
conflict upon the Greek frontier, the
aggressor would be answerable for all
the consequences Of a disturbance Of
peace, to which the powers attached the
greatest importance, and also that what
ever might be the result Of struggle be-
tween Greece and Turkey, the powers
would not consent that the aggressor
should derive the slightest advantage
therefrom.
The Times viii tomorrow publish dis
4 patch from Athens saying that the popn-
lar impatence with the present condition
Of affairs IL increasing and that demands
are made from various quarters for an
immediate declaration Of war by Greece
against Turkey The kings inactlon Is
denounced by those who are anxious FOR
the opening OF actual hostiltles The gov.
ernment journals continue 10 enJoin pa
tience, but they have little effect. The
excitable populace, which has set Its heart
upon war, will not be balkod In its desire.
The murmurs are becoming ominous. IL
Is whispered that II the government de-
laws much longer TO effect the national
mandate the pent-up tide Of patriotism
will burst, not on the frontiers, but In
Athens The seed Of discomfort Is sown
by enemies Of the government, who cir-