New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-22

TURKISH AND GRECIAN
VESSELS EXCHANGE
SHOTS
Canea. Feb. 21.-The Admirals commanding
the foreign fleets here yesterday visited Colonel
Vassos. the commander Ct the Greek army of
occupation. at his camp at Aghia. What took
place there has not been made public. but upon
the return of the Admlrals they invited the
commander Of the Greek warship Navarchos
Miaouls to visit them. The invitation was ac-
repted. and when the commander met the Ad-
rlrals he was informed that an attack would
be made upon the Greek troops and the Greek
warship II Colonel Vassos attacked Canea.
Subsequent to the interview the commander.
accompanied by RearAdmiral Harris. COM
handing the British feet proceeded to the camp
OF Colonel Vassos, who was informed as TO the
decision that had beer arrived at by the COM
handing officers OF the foreign fleets.
This morning the insurgents in the vicinity Of
Canea began firing the town. despite the
warnings that had been given. The firing
continued for some time. whereuron the Ad-
rnirals of the foreign fleets ordered their vessels
cleared for action. and soon the guns Of the fleet
were throwing shells into the insurgents camp
British cruiser was the first Of the warships
TO open fire, vessels Of the other nations follow
ing in succession
The ultimatum Of the Admirals to Colonel
vassos was against his attacking Canea. 1t ap-
parently did not forbid him from marching into
the interior Of the island where Colonel Vasscs
proposes to occupy several strategic points One
report says tina. the ultimatum declared that
II the Greek troops or the insurgents approached
any nearer TO Canea than they were the fleets
would she'll them. but If they were quiet they
would be permitted to land food.
Colonel vassos replied that he DID not intend
10 attack Canea or the flags Of the Powers. He
would remain on the defensive unless he was az
tackled
Notwithstanding this assurance fighting took
Marc TODAY on the hills 10 the east Of the town.
TIE combatants, who were Cretan Christians
and Mussuln1ars only, We're in plain view from
the ships in the harbor. The reply Of the Mus
sulrnans to the fire of the Christians was very
feeble. ard 1t could easily be seen that thew
would be compelled 10 abandon their positions
IL the Christians pressed then. Their gun prac-
tice was so poor that It excited rdcule on board
the ships.
The main position Of the Christians in
harnIe, on the ridge Of the hills where they had
hoisted the flag Of Greece. This position was
abou, / 900 yards from the warships.
At 4:3O o'clock the flagship displayed signals
for the Dryad. Harrier and Revenge and one
vessel each OF the Italian, German and Russian
scuadrons to open fire on the Cretan position
The order was quickly complied with The
British vessels fired forty shells. and the other
vessels about thirty. The aim of the gunners
was good. and it was soon seen that the posi-
ton Of the insurgents was becoming untenable.
In about ten minutes the Greek flag was hauled
down, and as soon as ii disappeared the order
"Cease firing" was given. and the guns OF the
feet Immediately became silen-.
Thereupon the flag was again hoisted on its
staff The rocks in the vicinity were crowded
with Crctans The Mussulmans encouraged
and emboldened by the assistance that had been
given to them by the fleets Of Christian Europe.
now began lively fusillade on the Cretans.
who were engaged in removing their wounded
The Christians We're evidently dispirited by the
action Of the fleets. and made attempt to
turn the fire.
The forts fred blank cartridges at the Greek
dispatch boat Peneios which had exchanged
shots with a Turkish frigate. After shots had
been fred by both vessels the frgate withdrew.
The German warship Kaiserin Augusta has
arrived here and landed marines. who vii! share
in the foreign occupation Of the town.
The action Of the foreign warships has caused
the deepest Indignation here, and the support
ers Of the Sultan are bitterly denounced on all
sides IT is declared that the Powers. in up
holding Moslem rule by force of arms, have
made a melancholy and degrading spectacle
that Greece will never forget
London. Feb o1-"The Times" has n dispatch
from Canea saying that the Admiras Of the sew
eraI fleets there have decided TO land guns 10 de-
fend the town in the event Of the Greek troops or
the insurgents advancing.
The dispatch adds that wounded Mosems
In the hospital declare that to the victims OF the
carakirnos massacre safe conduct to Selma was
offered. where they would be exchanged for hos
tages The offer accepted. but on the
March to Selno. the Christian escort ana other
Christians attacked and massacred them.
II is further said that II is believed that the
report Of the massacre Of 1000 Mussulmans at
Siua is greatly exaggerated
FIERCE FIGHTING AT FORT VOUKOCL1S
FOR THREE HOURS TURKS AND CHRISTIANS
BArTLED. GREEKS ASSISTING cRErANs.
London. Feb 2l-"The Daily News's' CORE
spondent AZ Canca teegraphs a detailed ac-