The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-02-22
ULTIMATUM OF THEP0WERS
GREECE ATTACKS CANEA ONLY Al
HER PERIL.

Ships Shell the Hills East of the Town
Cretan Christians Think Mussulmans
Have an idea the Powers Are Supporting
Them-Greece Undismayed.
Canea, Feb 21.-It has been learned
that the ultimatum of the admirals to
Colonel Vassos was against his attack
ing Canea. apparently did not for
bid him from marching into the inte-
rior of the island, where Colonel Vassos
purposes to occupy several stragetic
points.
One report states that the ultimatum
declared that if the Greek troops or the
insurgents approached any nearer to
Canea than they were the fleets would
shell them, but if they were quiet they
would be permitted to land food
Colonel Vassos replied that he did
not intend to attack Canea or the flags
of the powers. He would remain on
the defensive unless he was attacked.
Notwithstanding this assurance fight
ing took place to-day on the hills to the
east of the town. The combatants,
who We're Cretan Christians and Mus
selmans only, We're in plain view from
the ships in the harbor. The reply of
the Musselmans to the fire of the Chris
tians was very feeble, and it could cas-
lily be seen that they would be COM
PEELED to abandon their positions if the
Christians pressed them. Their gun
hot ~
ed ridicule on board the ships.
The main position of the Christians
was in hamlet on the ridge of the
hills, where they had hoisted the flag
of Greece. This position was about
four thousand yards from the warships.
At half-past four o'clock the flagship
displayed signals for the Dryad, Har-
rier and Revenge, and one vessel each
of the Italian, German and Russian
squadrons, to open fire on the Cretan
positions. The order was quickly COM
piled with. The British vessels fired
forty shells and the other vessels about
thirty.
The aim of the gunners was very
good, and 1t was soon seen that the po-
sition of the insurgents was becoming
untenable. In about ten minutes the
Greek flag was hauled down and as
soon as it disappeared the order
Cease firing" was given, and the guns
of the fleet Immediately became ST
lrnt.
Thereupon the flag was again hoisted
on the staff. The rocks in the vicinity
We're crowded with Cretans. The Mus
selmans, encouraged and emboldened
by the assistance that had been given
to them by the fleets of Christian Eu-
rope, now began lively fusilade
against the Cretans, who were engaged
in removing their wounded. The Chris
tians We're evidently dispirited by the
action of the fleets, and made no at
tempt to return the fire.
The action of the foreign warships
has caused the deepest indignation
here, and the supporters of the sultan
are bitterly denounced on all sides. 1t
is declared that the powers are uphold
ing moslem rule by force of arms, and
have made melancholy and degrading
spectacle of themselves that Greece will
never forget.
1t is reported that 700 Greek soldiers
and a number of pieces of artillery
have been landed at Kisamo bay.
A British torpedo boat stopped the
Greek steamer Laurium, which was
landing provisions and munitions Of
war at Kolymbar bay, and escorted her
TO Canea.
The excitement in Athens continues
without abatement, and the popular
voice lis loud for war, if the annexation
Of Crete to Greece can be obtained in
no other way. The populace demand
that no attention be paid to the warn
ings and demands of the powers, but
that Greece maintain her position in
the face of Europe. A vast crowd gath
cred this afternoon in front of the pal
ace and repeatedly cheered the king
and the royal princes. whose actions
meet with the fullest appreciation
The crowd finally became so demon
strative that the king appeared upon
one of the balconies of the palace and
addressed the people. He and the gov
ernment, he declared, were fulfilling
the mandate of the entire Hellenic peo-
pie in going to the aid of the struggling
Cretan Christians and in seeking to re-
gain possession of the island. He adj
ded that he prayed that God would
strengthen their efforts.
His majesty concluded his address by
thanking the people for the whole
hearted support they had given him.
The crowd became wild with delight
over the words of King George and the
applause was defeaning when he had
concluded. Then after crying again
and again Long live Greece" the
crowd gradually dispersed.
Rome, Feb. N.-The popular agitation
in Italy in favor of the union of Greece
and Crete is increasing daily and it
make the position of the government
difficult. Thirty members of the cham
Der of deputies have telegraphed con-
gratulations to Athens upon the de-
cded stand taken by Greece.
There We're important popular mani
festations in several towns to-day in
favor of Greece. An enthusiastic meet
ing was held in Rome, which declared
in favor of raising a volunteer corps
to assist the Greeks in their attempt to
free Crete of Turkish misrule.
After the meeting there was a. mani
festation in front of the Greek legation,
the crowd cheering King George and
the Greek people.
Berlin, Feb. 21.-The German cruiser
Kaiserin Augusta, the only German
iaI1 ic to toll in. = q