, 1897-03-18

eral Progress of the Trouble.
London, March 1S.-A dispatch to the
Times from Athens states that u strict
blockade of Crete was begun yesterday
wednesday,. Apparently there will be
no blockade of Greek ports for some
time to mn The insurgents in Crete
are building Notifications at various
strategic points, under the direction OF
Greek officers.
THE minimizing Greek multitude"
says the Times correspondent. has
caught the wal fever in its worst form.
1t is vain to hope the malady will as
sumo a milder type, and regard the fu-
cure with the greatest misgivings, know,
ing that Greece can hardly fail to be the
loser, Whatever happens. The whole
nation, however. is aroused in a name
never seen in any previous crisis and
The powers ought to neglect no possible
means to secure Greek compliance. They
are now acting as policemen: they
should also act as just and lenient
judges. They should insist upon the
Turkish garrisons leaving Simultaneous
ly with the Greek. This would satisfy
the Greek amour proper. King George
cannot order Col. Vassos to withdraw
without risking his crown.
III the powers would also sternly in
sist upon the withdrawal of both armies
from the Thessalyan frontier. the danger
OF war would be obviated.'.
The minister of justice has published
a decree. sanctioned by the Boule. bar
ring all legal limitations and forced exc
cutions. and suspending all civil and
penal sentences in the event of contum-
aCy during the period OF mobilization.
The Asty. voicing the general opin-
ion entertained here, declares that in the
event OF a blockade Greece will place the
powers in n dilemma. They must either
avOw themselves the allies of Turkey,
or become witnesses OF a duel whose
issue is less certain thar Europe wishes
10 believe.
AS yet the government has received
no notice of an eventual blockade Of
Greek ports. 1t is announced that
France had ordered the shipment Of
arms and ammunition to Crete. A sys-
ZEN OF optical signaling with the Greek
troops in Crete has been established.
The historical battle flag, raised on
March, 1921, by the bishop of a German
monastery at Labria, in the Pelopon-
nesus, on the proclamation of wal Of in
dependence by Prince Alexander, will be
formally introduced to the regi-
ment of the Crown Prince Conslan-
tine, before its departure for Thessaly.
The secretary of the Byron society
has received a telegram from Athens
stating that the sultan. desiring to pre-
serve peace, has offered to withdraw the
Turkish garrison from Crete and to as.
sign the island to King George to be oc-
cupied and administered by Greece,
~ CSo6Alt!oA VI lAC HlhIpSllal ouACi'
ainty of the sultan, taking the form of
an annual tribute. The telegram states
chat these terms are entirely agreeable
10 the Hellenic cabinet, AS well us to the
Cream Mohammedans, who prefer an
%nexation to autonomy.
The proclamation that
he powaro boya ;rrovocubIy Jacj1e1 IN
assure complete autonomy for Crete,
under the sultan's suzerainty. but that
they are interested before all else to rem
edy and prevent a repetition Of the ills
which have %desolated the island. They
have, therefore, agreed upon measures
intended to regulate the administration
Of an autonomous regime, to restore
peace and order and to guarantee to ev-
cry one, without distinction OF race or
religion, liberty, the security of proper
ty, the resumption of h%usbandry and
industry, and the development Of the
resources OF the country.
"Such," continues the proclamation.
lis the aim OF the powers. They believe
this language will be understood by all
and that a new era Is about to open for
Crete. Let all lay down their arms.
The powers desire peace and order and
need the authority necessary to force
their decisions. They count on the as
sistance of all the inhabitants of Crete,
Christian and Mussulman, in order to
accomplish the work which promises to
assure peace and prosperity to the Gre
tans.