The sun., 1897-03-22
CRETE PORTS BLOCKADED.
THE MoSLEMs WONT SUFFER VERY
MUCn INCONVENIENCE

MUCH INCoNVENIENCE.
They Have Fiocked TO the Coast Towns ana
MAY Land Any Supplies They Want-But
Starving Christians Inland win Net Be Fer
uaitted to Receive Either Food or CiothinE.
CANKA, March 2l.-According to tho procla-
nation issued by the foreign Admirals, the block
sde of Crete began at o'clock this morning. 1t
10 apparent that the blockade is directed solely
against the Christians in the interior and that
the Moslems will suffer little inconvenience
from the action Of the six great Christian nations
Of Europe. It appears that the object Of the
blockading squadron Is to prevent the landing Of
supplies of food, clothing. SC. destined for tho
starving Christians In the interior. while tho
Mussulmans who have locked to the coast towns
are allowed to land whatever they want.
Tho few Christians remaining here find 1t
difficult to understand the motives that are
prompting tho powers to exert their energies
to crush the Christian population Of the Island,
while the Moslens have free hand to do about
as they please. About the only hope OF the
Christians outside the coast towns Is in Greek
blockade runners who will not hesitate to run
through the Gordon of foreign warships around
the island.
There was an exchange of shots yesterday be-
tween insurgents and Moslem volunteers in Suda
Bay. The Turkish warships in the bay bonn
barded the insurgents, but the result Is not
known. A number of foreign warships were in
81, ho, hut thny RI in tha Arin
II any further evidence was necessary to
prove the antagonism Of the powers, as repre-
sented by their Admirals. to the Christians. 1t is
furnished by an incident that has just occurred
at Akrotiri. which is the place where the fleets
recently bombarded the insurgents position.
Akrotiri is on the peninsula Of that na--e
which projects in q northeasterly direction from
Canea. The insurgents there are cut OF from
receiving provisions from the land side by the
Turkish and foreign troops. and the foreign
warships have prevented them from receiving
supplies from sea.
Their position is becoming desperate, and they
yesterday sent envoys to Suda to beg that food
be supplied to them from the warships. The ad-
mirals refused to give them the assistance asked
for, but said that IL medical aid was needed it
would be forthcoming. Later. several OF the doc
tors from the fieets visited the camp Of tho In
surgents
Ii is reported here that when the Italian off,
Ger who was intrusted with the duty of notify
ing Col. vassos, the commander Of the Greek
army OF occupation. of the establishment of tho
blockade, handed q copy of the blockade procla-
nation TO the Greek commander, the latter.
after reading it, declared that he would resist
II as far as IL was in his power to do 80. Later
he had conference with the insursent chiefs,
and he afterward said he. would cause every
copy of the autonomy proclamation 10 be torn up.
The more the subject of autonomy La consid-
cred the less practicable it appears to be. and
the conviction Is rapidly growing that the
powers will find their scheme Of no use. The
belief prevails that under the plan Of autonomy
il would be hopeless for Moslems and Christians
10 obtain equal justice.
The religious feud between the two sects Is too
great to expect that the Christians would act
Justly toward the Moslems If the former were In
absolute control Of the Government. Autonomy
would only serve to aggravat ate the numerous
blood feuds now existing, and fighting would
continue until the Moslems were exterminated.
Thus far in the present troubles two Moslems
have been killed to every Christian, which is q
reversal of the conditions prevailing In former
disturbances.
Judging from the reports which reach Canea
from the camp OF Col Vassos 1t is thought that
he intends to assume the offensive shortly, In
which plenty Of employment will be fur
nished to the foreign troops.
1t is rumored that Greece has offered to buy
the island from Turkey. This idea grows in
favor rapidly. There Is little doubt IL Turkey
would accept such offer that the money for
the purchase could be found in twenty -four
hours.
LONDON, March 2l.-The Times Athens CORE
spondent telegraphs that the blockade of Crete
began with a strong gale prevailing, which rem
dered the task Of the torpedo boats and other
small vessels employed In blockade duty very
difficult
Three vessels laden with provisions and am
munition have started for Crete during the last
few days 1t Is said that one of them landed her
cargo at Akrotiri. almost within sight of the
fleets, which 1t is supposed purposely did not In
terfere with her.
The correspondent again asserts that It 10
urgently necessary that the Turkish troops be
withdrawn from Crete at the earliest possible
moment Nothing else will induce tho islanders
10 believe the promises Of tho powers.
The Christians will forcibly prevent the de-
parture Of the Greek troops 80 long as tho
Ottoman troops remain. He predicts that If the
Turkish troops are withdrawn Kink George will
be willing to recall Col. vassos and the troops
under his command.