San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-02-16
CRETE is WON.
CANEA OCCUPIED BY THE FORCES
OF THE POWERS.
The Turks Make a Formal Protest But
They Will Undoubtedly Lose
Crete to Greece.

Athens, Feb. 16.-Copyrighted by AS
ciated Press.-It is generally believed
here that the Cretan feature of the
eastern question is now almost a thing
of the past and the landing of Greek
troops on the island of Crete is not
likely to turn out a causus belli be-
tween Turkey and Greece. The alb
solute decision of Greece to persist in
the occupation of Crete and the pro-
lection of the Christians of that island,
in spite of the attitude of the powers
is founded on the declarations of the
Cretans that they are prepared to shed
the last drop of their blood in order to
attain their national aspirations, to
which they add, they cannot be salts
fled with anything short of a complete
union with Greece. These circumstan-
ceS have been communicated by Greece
to the powers. The policy of the Greek
government has been carried out in
every point. An order of Minister of
War Smolenitz has been gazetted ap-
pointing Col. Vassos aide-de-camp of
King George, as commander of the
Greek army corps, who landed yes
terday at Platonica a short distance
from Canea. Col. Vassos after landing
at Platonica issued a proclamation to
the Cretan people announcing the oc-
cupation OF the island in the name OF
King George OF Greece and calling up
on the Turks to surrender to the Greek
forces. The reserves are rapidly reg
istering at the different military CEN
tiers. 1t is hoped, however, that the
10 hn nd nd
is the possible severance OF diplomatic
relations between Greece and Turkey.
The annexation OF Crete by Greece, the
result foreshadowed, is now fact and
it is not thought likely the powers
will do anything further in the mat
ter than they have done. In the mean
while diplomatic negotiations on the
subject continue between the ambas-
sailors OF the powers at Constantinople
who in turn are in constant communi
cation with the porte. Re-inforcements
of men, arms and ammunition are on
their way from Greece to Crete and it
is intimated in due course of time ma
rines from the foreign warships will be
recalled and Greece win be allowed
to assume the administration of Crete,
possibly under some restrictions.
Canea, Feb. 16.-The Russian. French,
British, Italian and Austrian flags are
floating over Canea today and the fact
causes general satisfaction here. The
state Of uncertainty which so long pre-
vailed Is now at an end and the Chris
tians believe themselves to be rid for
all time of Mussulman rule. There are
$50 foreign marines ashore and they oc-
cupy the best positions in the town.
An officer has been sent to Akrotiri
to notify the insurgents of the joint oc-
cupation Of Canea by the forces of the
powers and calling upon them to lay
down their arms and cease hostilities.
The insurgent leaders promise to con-
slider the matter and it IS understood
will send a delegation for this purpose
to Canea. A great massacre is re-
ported at Sitit and the Italian war
ship, Daria, was hastily dispatched to
that place. 1t is reported that REIN
forcements of Greeks will be landed
on the island today. The occupation
of Canea was carried out by the for
eign fleets with the consent of the Tur-
hsh officers and it is not in any way
likely to add to the complications at
Constantinople. The Greek forces
| were also formally notified of the joint
occupation of this place. The Tur-
ksh authorities are demoralized and
are simply following out the recon-
| mendations Of the foreign admirals
| who are acting in accord and consult
upon every step taken. 1t is thought
| certain that the next departure will
be the re-establishment of the provis-
ional Christian government of Crete
pending the consent of the powers be-
ing given to the annexation of the is
land to Greece, although it does not
seem as if that country will be willing
to wait any longer for the necessary
permission and intends to administer
all parts of the island not occupied by
the foreign marines. If Turkey is will
ling to accept the situation and submit
to the annexation of Crete to Greece
tn eforeign marines will be promptly
withdrawn and Greece in turn will
withdraw her fleet from Cretan waters
Ismael Bey, governor of Crete, has
been in communication with the for
eign admirals and is understood to
have entered a formal protest against
the landing of a Greek force at Pla-
tonica.