Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-16
FOR UNION OR DESTRUCTION
The Christian Inhabitants of Crete
Declare They Will Have Union
with Greece or Death.
The GREEK POLICY is MAINTAINED
King George in Command of Greek
Army Corps Landed Yesterday at
Platonics, Near Canea.
copyrighted 1897 Associated Press.

Copyrighted 1897 Associated Press.
Athens, Feb. 16.-It Is generally believ
ed here, that the Cretan features of tn
eastern question, are now thing of tn
past, and the landing of Greek troops OF
the island of Crete is not likely to turl
out casus belli, between Turkey an6
Greece. The absolute decision of Greece
to persist in the occupation of Crete, ant
in the protection of the Christians of tina
island in spite of the attitude of the pow
ers is founded on a declaration of til,
Cretans who are prepared to shed theil
last drop of blood in order to attain theil
national aspirations to which they add
they can not and will not be satisfied witt
anything short of the complete union with
Greece.
These circumstances were communi.
Gated by Greece to the powers and the
policy of the Greek government has been
carried out in every point. An order of
minister Of war, M. R. Molenitz, has been
gazetted, appointing Col. Vassas, aide-de-
camp to King George, commander of the
Greek army corps who landed yesterday at
Platonics, short distance from Canea.
After explaining the action of Greece, due
to the fact that she was unable to tolerate
any longer, the slamentable situation of
Christians in Crete to whom we are unit
ed by sacred ties of religion" the order
proceeds: "The government consequent
ly has decided to occupy the island in
the name of King George and raise his
flag over the fortresses of which you will
take possessions. All your actions shall
be accomplished in conformity with the
Greek law in the name of King George,
and on the responsibility of his govern
ment So soon as you have landed you
will publish a proclamation announcing
the occupation of the island by Greek
troops.
This has been done and it is hoped
that the most serious difficulty to be at
tempted, is the possible severance of
diplomatic relations between Greece and
Turkey. 1t ls not thought that the pow
ers will do anything further. 1t ls inti-
mated in due course of time the marines
of foreign war-ships will be recalled,
and Greece will be allowed to assume the
administration of Crete, possibly under
some restrictions.
FLEETS OF ALL NATIONS REPRESENTED.
Canea, Island of Crete-The Russian,
French, British, Italian and Austrian flags
are floating over Canea to-day, and the
fact causes general satisfaction here.
The state of uncertainty which 80 long
prevailed is at an end, and the Christians
believe themselves rid for all time, of
Musselman rule. There are 400 foreign
marines ashore. The utmost order is
maintained. The italian officer who is
In command of the foreign forces, by
agreement, has issued summons, ad-
dressed to the commander Of the Greek |
army corps at Platonics Calvassos, in |
which the insurgents were called upon to
cease hostilities, pending a decision of
the future of Crete. The Greek COM
mander replied, II come here with four
pr the country, and I must carry out my
orders pending further instructions"
The orders of foreign admirals are be.
ing confined to prevent the landing of
Greek forces at Canea, Retimo and Hera-
klion. They can not interfere with the
Greeks under Colvassus. Agreat massa-
ere is reported to have occurred at Sitit.
The italian war-ship Daria has been
hastily dispatched to that place. 1t is
that strong reinforcement for
the Greeks will be landed on the island TO-
day.
TROOPS ADVANCING.
Athens. The Greek troops in Crete it
is announced are advancing on Canea.
WAR WILL De DECLARED.
Constantinople.-The counsel ministers
have been sitting at Yildiz Kiosh all day
the state of war between
Greece and Turkey which practically ex-
ists, although it has not been officially de-
,lared. It is believed that the courcll
will decide to recall the Turkish minister
at Athens, and give the Greek minister
lere, Prince Maurrocardats, his pass
ports.