The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-06
new AUTONOMY PLAN
Ambassadors at Constantinople Draw
Scheme For Island of Crete.
Greek Soldiers Are Becoming
Less Enthusiastic.
Athenian PopuIace Is Impatient and 0enunci
ators Of King Are Heard.

London, April 6.-The Times prints
the following dispatch from rs Rome
correspondent:
II is understood here in official circles
that the ambassadors at Constantinople
have drawn up an extremely broad
scheme or autonomy for Crete, giving
the assembly power to choose a govern
ment who must afterward be approved
by the sultan. 1t says symLl lthy with
the Greeks is weakening In consequence
or the growing conviction that Greece
Is playing a comedy and never really in
tended to make war. The position now
is precisely what IL was in 1878 and 1886.
The powers prevented a collision then
If the same result is not attained now 1t
will be due TO the hesitancy Of the pow
ers
A letter has been received here from
an important ex-official OF the Greek
government, who declares that all the
movements In Crete are provoked from
Athens, and that the present menaces
OF the Greek government are merely
part Of the comedy.
IL is learned that the powers are now
unanimous as to the blockade OF the
Piraeus. No impediment will be placed
in the way OF the Greek warships, as the
powers do not intend to make war upon
Greece. but the movement of Greek COM
merce will be rigidly stopped.
The Daily Mails correspondent at
Arta says:
The Greek soldiers are losing their
first glow of enthusiasm. The weather
up to Friday last was bright, but during
the past two days it has rained heavily
Many Of the tents are pitched in un-
suitable positions. and have been flooded
The troops are thus experiencing some
OF the hardships of real campaigning
and the result is a visible cooling of their
ardor.
The chief danger lies in the presence
OF the irregulars. The Greek National
society. nearly 1000 members OF which
are in the vicinity Of Arta, is acting quite
Independent of the government. Many
are genuine patriots. and others are
mere outlaws and brigands. If the gov
ernment remains inactive much longer
they will commence raiding, which the
Turks will be justified in regarding as
the beginning of hostilities, since the
authorities will in no wise discounten-
ance their determination OF the officers
with their leaders.
The Vienna correspondent Of The
Times says:
Commerce and finance are'in a critical
condition in both Greece and Turkey
The stagnation OF Greek commerce il
now general. Payments of all descrip-
lions have been suspended, and uneasi-
ness regarding the future is felt even in
those circles least susceptible to pes
simism.
Popular Impatience Increasing.
The Athens correspondent of The
Times says:
1t is evident that popular impatience
is increasing. Voices are heard in vari-
GUS quarters denouncing the king and
the government, and demanding an i'm
mediate declaration of war. This re-
vival of bellicose excitement is perhaps
largely due to the expectation that to-
days anniversary will witness the in
auguration of a great national crusade
against Turkey.
King George and all the members of
the royal family will attend the religious
ceremony at the cathedral, which will
be followed by grand popular demon
stration. The streets are decked with
flags, and the excitement is increasing
hourly.
agents of the Ethnike Hetairia, can fore
tell what will happen on the frontier to-
day. 1t is certain that the military au-
thorities are not yet satisfied that the
army Is fit to take the offensive. week
or 10 days will be needed to make good
several obvious deficiencies. The gov
ernment still hesitates to cross the rubi-
con. II would welcome even at the nth
hour any compromise which the people
could be induced to accept
The government journals publish ar
.ticles enjoining patience, self-control
and obedience to the authorities, but
these warnings seem to have very little
effect upon the excitable populace, which
has set it's heart upon war, and will not
be baked in it's desire.
The seeds OF discomfort have been
sown broadcast by the enemies of the
government, who are spreading the
rumor that humiliating surrender is
contemplated. Even the king, who has
left nothing undone to show his SYM
pathy with the popular feeling. has not
escaped malignant animadversion The
daily arrival OF bands Of Greek volun-
teers from every part of the world adds
fuel to the flames of popular enthusiasm.
Many of them are wholly without train
ing, for the lack of which their undis-
ciplined ardor prove a poor compensa-
tioh. In their eyes the annexation of
Cikte is far less important matter than
the conquest of Macedonia, which has
always been the principal aim of the
yecret societies.
It seems probable that today will pass
without any provocative action on the
part OF the Greek army. Much will de-
pend. OF course, upon the officers, to
whom the strictest instructions have
been issued. Very likely. however. bands
VI irregulars will endeavor to cross the
frontier at various points.
With reference to communications be-
tween Turkey and Greece respecting the
presence OF troops on the frontier. IL ap-
pears that Assim Bey first delivered a
protest to the Greek government. which
replied urging Turkey to be the first to
withdraw. There were some further
communications. but neither party was
willing TO take the first step. and the