The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-03-23

has received advices that the Austrian
gunboat Sebenico has sunk a Greek
schooner with a cargo of munitions Of
war and a numbe of Cretan insur-
gents on board. The Seberico, under
the orders of the British admiral COM
handing the British squadron in Gre
tan waters, was ~patrolling off Cape
Dia, Crete, when the schooner hove in
sight. The schooner vas hailed by the
gunboat and the insurgents on board
in reply opened fire upon the Sebenico,
whereupon the latter turned her guns
on the schooner nd sunk her.
The Austrian government has made
a protest to the porte against the out
RACES committed by Moslems in the
vilayet of Uscob, in European Tur-
key.
The Neue Freie Presse publishes a
rumor that Colonel Vassos, the COM
mandcr of the Greek troops in Crete,
has left the island.
Constantinople, March 1S-A Russian
steamer conveying a battalion Of
troops to Crete has passed through the
D~ardanelles.
Canea, March 18.-The proclamation
issued by the foreign admirals an
nOuncing the conditions under Which
autonomy will be granted to Crete,
promises the adoption of measures to
regulate the workings of complete au-
tonOny for the island and guarantees
to every one, of whatever race or re-
ligion, perfect liberty and security of
property. The proclamation concludes
by saying:
"A new era is opening for Crete. Let
all persons lay down their arms. The
powers count upon the cooperation of
Christians and Moslems alike to aid
in the task which promises to insure
order and prosperity"
ToulOn, March 1S-The French trans
port ship Auvergne, having on board
troops, arms, stores, eac., destined for
Canea, Crete, is aground and it has
been necessary to land the men and
stores in order to loaf her.
Paris, March 18.-The Echo de Paris
publishes a rumor that the governor
ship of Crete will be offered to Prime
Henri, of Orleans, who is now in Abys-
sinia at the head of an exploring *
petition.
London, March 1S.-In the house of
commons today Sir Charles Dixie Qib-
eraD asked whether a blockade of the
ports of Crete had been declared by the
power and whether Germany had de-
clined to employ her forces in the in
terror of the island.
Mr.. John Morley, LIBERAL, asked
! whether Greece had been invited to &C
cede to the terms OF the identical note
of the powers before the blockade of
the ports of Crete was instituted.
Mr.. A. J. Balfour, first lord of the
treasury, replied that the British min
lister at Athens, Mr.. E. H. EgertOn,
| la1 hnn,, inrtr,,ntnI 70 ,atify tIa rnu-
eminent Of Greece that a blockade Of
Cretan ports would be instituted.
In reply to Sir Charles Dilke's other
question, Mr.. Balfour said he had no
information that Germany had declin-
ed to send troops to Crete. Germany
thoroughly agreed with the policy of
the powers.
Mr.. Morley asked if this technical
notification was what NJ. Meline. the
French premier. referred to in his re-
cent speech in the French chamber OF
| deputies.
Mr.. Balfour: Il don't know. I must
say tina it is not satisfactory to an
swer questions put by gentlemen who
embarrass the government as much as
they can by question inside and
speeches outside of the house,
Sir William HarcOurt, amid liberal
cheers, protested against Mr.. Balfour's
c~enSuring the opposition members who
sought for legitimate information. He
then proceeded to say: Lord Salisbury
referred to Premier Meline's speech
and we must have ar answer thereto.
That reference, made in the house OF
lords, contains the only information
tat has been given to this house or to
the country. (cheers). I again ask, M.
Meline having stated hat Greece
would be r~e-invited to accede to tho
terms of the note Of the powers and
that the ports of Crete would not be
blockaded nor the number of European
troops in the island increased until
Greece mad been again notified, wheth-
err that has been DONE"
Mr.. Balfour refused to make any ex-
PLANTATION concerning M. Meline's
speech and said thai if Sir William
Harcourt wished to move a vote Of
censure on account of his refusal let
him name the day.
Rome, March 1S.-The italian war
ship Eridano with 600 troops on board,
will start for Crete tomorrow.
London, March 1S-The st. JamesGa-
zette asserts that the blockade of the
coast of Crete by the warships Of the
powers will begin next Sunday morn
ing and that the foreign admiralS have
requested Greece to withdraw her war
ships from Cretan waters before that
time; otherwise force will be employed
to compel their departure.
London, March 1S.-A news agency
here is authority for the statement
that the Greek charge d'affaires. M. J.
D. MetaXas. visited the foreign office
yesterday and waited for a long time,
though unsuccessfully for an interview
with Lord Salisbury.
The Daily Chronicle this morning
gives prominence to an article refer
ring to what it terms the grave dis
courtesy shown in the treatment Of
NJ. Metaxas.
The Daily telegraph, referring to the
incident. says that in response to in
uuiries made at the Greek legation. ii
learns that NJ. MetaXaS paid a COM
p~aratively brief visit to the foreign of
flee and was prevented by a private
engagement from waiting his turn to
see Lord Salisbury, who was engaged
in unusually long interviews with va
rious diplomats until a late hour in
the eveing.
Condensed Testimony.
Chas. B. Hood, Broker and Manufac-