Evening star., 1897-02-15

OF Importance are known to have been ex
changed between them and their home
governments. All the foreign fleets have
been reinforced, and more warships are
expected here and off other towns of the
island today.
The Greek fleet has also been reinforced
and Greek troops are expected to reach
here today. According to general report
the foreign warships will not permit them
to land The Mussulmans are now prac-
tically confined to Canea, Retimo and Her
aklion
Some of the Greek vessels are off the
Island Of Milo. The Greek warships have
not been engaged. The only incident of
rote In this connection was the stopping of
an unarmed Turkish transport which at
tempted to leave Heraklion Saturday by
Greek cruiser. which fired two shots as
warning for 1t to return.
1t Is understood that the foreign admirals
have received instructions to prevent any
open conflict between the Greeks and the
Turks.
Turkey Willing to Keen Quiet,
CONsTANTINOPLE, February 15.-The
opinion in official circles here is that the
warships of the powers will be instructed
to occupy the Island of Canea shortly and
that pressure will be brought to bear upon
10th Turkey and Greece in order that
open war may be avoided. Should actual
hostilities commence Turkey would have
little difficulty In sending an overwhclrn-
ing force of troops into Thessaly. Blu, the
Turks fear that the Island of Crete in any
case Is practically lost to the Ottoman
empire.
kan peninsula that war between Greece
and Turkey would be followed by a serious
confiagration there, and 1t Is believed that
the powers are not yet ready to face such
a condition of affairs. In the meanwhile
Turkey is preparing for eventualities. and
the calling out Of the Greek army reserves
or the class Of 1888 and 1893 will be met by
the assembling of the Turkish troops near
the frontier OF Greece. large Turkish
force at Salonika is in readiness to move
at any moment. 1t is not believed, how
ever, that war will be declared
Most important communications are being
exchanged between the ambassadors of the
powers and the porte, and it is understood
that the sultan has received assurances
that Greece will not be allowed to disturb
the peace of Europe. although certain irree-
ular1tles IN her recent actions will have to
be overlooked. 1t has also been renre
sented to the sultan that King George had
10 choose between a revolution in Greece
anu a demonstration in Cretan waters
upon the part of the Greek fleet and that
naturally, he bowed to the popular clamor
and sent the torpedo fotilla to Crete.
Inc turkish officials under the circum-
stances are behaving admirably and are
powers In every way. 1t is true that tne
alternative may be the threatened disrup-
tion OF the Turkish empire but in anv
nash, nssi tne turks are not fretting under the
pronollon placed upon them of sending
Iean1orce ments to Crete and in SO DOING
tne sultan Is acting in highly politicai
manner. indeed. the Cretan trouble has,
s, d. ,eas. tor the moment. driven the more
Important question Of the projected re-
forms for the Turkish empire into the
background so effectually that there are
people who Intimate Ghat the wily Turk
mas been at the bottom of all the recent
Crete
and that the revolutionary movement in
Crete has been secretly fostered in order
to draw the attention OF Europe from more
important matters.
Agreement to Restrain Greece.
Copyright, 1897, BY the Associated press1
BERLIN, February 15.-A semi-official
statement on the Cretan question has been
pubhshed here. 1t is as follows:
IN reply to the representations which
the ministers OF all the great powers at
Athens made to the Greek government ves;-
terday, pointing out the danger to Euro
pean peace from the attitude taken up nv
Greece. contrary to international law NJ
skou.es Ghe minister for foreign afrairs)
declared tnat Greece would occupy, Crete
In view of this fact the imperial govern.
ment no longer considers It consonant with
It's dignity to take further diplomatic steps
at Athens.
After an exchange of views with the
cabinets of the other great powers the
commander Of the German warshlp Kaiser
in Augusta, which will arrive at Canea
within tAe next few days. has received In
structions In conjunction with the COM
manders OF the naval forces of the other
great powers assembled In Cretan waters
to prevent any hostile act upon the part
OF Greece. and also to Cooperate with them
in every possible way with the view of
restoring order and averting further blood
she'd"