New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-17
R1OCKADE OF CRETE BEGUN.
WILL GREECE DECLARE WAR AGAINST
TURKEY?

roNoMY FOR THE ISLAND IN PREPARA-
rIoN-GREECE NOT TO WITHDRAW
ITS ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
Vienna. March 16-The blockade OF the ports
Sthe island Of Crete by the warships of the con-
srrted European Powers went into effect to-day.
II is announced here that until the Powers
shall decide upon the appointment of Governor
for Crete. Commissioner Will be appointed to
act in that capacity In the name OF the European
Powers and the Porte.
Canea. Crete. March 16-As a result OF the
operation of the blockade of Cretan ports by the
combined fleets of the Powers. the Greek squad
ron. with the exception of two small warships.
left Cretan waters to-day. The two vessels that
remain are preparing to take their departure.
Athens. March 16.--A prolonged meeting OF the
Cabinet was held to-day. The Ministers dis
cussed at great length the attitude to be taken
IN the event Of the Powers attempting to coerce
Greece into a compliance with their demands IL
is stated that disposition was shown to ac-
cede 10 the demands and that it was finally de-
cided to take active measures as the only possi-
hle solution OF the difficulty.
II is thought that by active measures Is meant
a declaration Of war against Turkey. the effect
O, which would be TO give Greece the right to
maintain her army in Crete. and TO deprive the
Powers Of any right of interference.
Information has been received here that two
hands Of Thessallans. one of 1000 men and the
other Of 800 men, have entered Macedonia from
the Iarissa and Volo districts Of Tessaly
Crown Prince Constantine. with the lst Regi-
r,cnt Of infantry. Is momentarily expected 20
leave Athens 10 assume command OF all the
Greek forces in Thessaly. The prevailing con-
yiction here is tha; is inevitable. 1t Is un-
dcrs,ood that the Cabinet at it's meeting to-day
discussed a plan Of campaign against the TURKS
TIE whole garrison Of Athens and nearly all the
reserves have started for the frontier. The de-
ua~tlre during the night OF number OF troops
for Voo Thessaly. was undoubtedly owing 10
- Governments receiving information regard
Ing the blockade.
London. March 1G--The Rome correspondent
a. The Daily News says that he has reliable
Information that Greece is now more disposed to
aGopt a conciliatory attitude toward the Powers.
lie adds that Greece proposes to concentrate her
troops at some easily victualled point on the
ooast of Crete where they will be separated
from ,hs insurgents. She also proposes that the
Ottoman troops shall be placed at some point re-
moved from the insurgents. so that the Powers
nav themselves pacify the rebels. Then 1t Will
he asked that the Cretans be allowed to choose
freely between autonomy and annexation TO
Greece II they decide in favor Cf autonomy, the
the Greek and Turkish troops will leave the ISL
and at the time.
Little reliance is placed upon this dispatch
here for the reason that Il embodies proposals
which the Powers have already virtually reject
ed They insisted thai their demands, as set
forth in the identical note to Greece. should be
aoceded to In their entirety. and. after Greeces
reply 10 the not, had been received refused 10 en-
ter into any further negotiations on the subject
1t has been repeatedly stated that the Powers
would not consent to plebiscite in Crete to de-
eide whether an autonomous Government shouid
be established or the island annexed TO Greece.
and consequently 1t is believed to be Impossible
that Greece should now make such proposal.
Furthermore the Powers have declared that the
Greek troops must leave Crete before the Turkish
forces and IL is to compel compliance with these
demands that the blockade OF the island has been
begun.
"The Standard" will tomorrow publish dis
ratch from Athens saying that up to this even
ing the Government had received no official In
formation that the fleets of the Powers were
hlockading Crete.
A djspatch from Vienna TO the same paper
SAYS that the representatives of the Powers IN
Constantinople have been intrusted with the
task Of framing scheme of autonomy 1or
Cretc. Their work Will be partly facllltaleo ny
consultations with the Porte.
A dispatch to "The Times from Athens says
that since the action of the Powers in ordering
the beginning Of coercive measures against
Greece became known in Gre, e, the popular
determination that the Greek army OF occupa-
ton shall never be WITHDRAWN from Crete mas
become stronger than ever. The people are
unanimous i'm this matter, and the klng ana
the Government have no choice but to swim with
the tide OF popular fe sling. Colonel Nassos
commanding the Greek troops in Crete, is fortl-
~, ,,1ata dc ut
4 dispatch from Malta says that OOO BRUSH
troops ordered TO Crete from that station
to-day.
The Chronicle" Daily Mail" and "Tele-
graph" have correspondents with the Greek
forces on the Thessalan frontier They all con
cur in their descriptions Of the rapid massinS
and continual drilling of the troops. They add
that the excitement and enthusiasm Of the SOL
dinrs are a dangerous element Of the SITUATION
as a trife may start a conflict with the Turkish
forces on the frontier, who are in sight OF the
Greeks
Some doubt exists here to whether or not
the blockade Of Crete has actually begun not
withstandng the statement Of Prime Mlnste,
Salisbury in the House OF Lords that orders had
been given to put the blockade into operation
al The special dispatches sent from
Canea to-day make no mention OF the ports hav-
irg been closed by the warships Of the Powers.
A dispatch from Canea TO a news agency says
that the foreign admirals have not yet pro-
claimed the blockade
The statement received from Vienna this after
noon saving that tho blockade began to-day was
reamed this evening. but as it is not official it
may be premature
Paris March 16-M. Hanotaux, Minister OF
Foreign Affairs made in the Senate to-day dec
laratlon OF the policy Of France In the matter
Of The Greco-Cretan situation similar to that
which he made in the Chamber Of Deputies yes
terday. when ne announced that France would
adhere TO the concert policy. and at the close or
his statement asked for vote OF confidence IN
the Government The Senate attested its ccnh-
dence In the Governments policy by Vo'e OF
240 10 80
TOulOn. March 16-Part of the reinforceinents
who ordered to proceed 10 Crete sailed TO-