The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-03-13

Orders His Soldiers to Avoid an
Attack on Turks,
MAY FIRE ON GREEK CRUISERS

The Aiphios and Pinos SIN I'm Cretan
waters, with orders TO "Resist TO the
Death ANY Attack Upon Thom"-The
Opposition Of England aud France.
London. March IA dispatch to The
Times from Athens says that the cabi-
net was I'm session nearly all Of yester-
day. The report that the British con-
sui at Canea, Sir Alfred Buliott, has
been recalled is not confirmed.
The correspondent Of The Times at
Athens and Canea both complain Of
the delay in announcing officially TO
the Cretans the decision of the powers
to give them autonomy Neither the
consuls nor the admirals have yet been
authorized to make the announcement.
Sir Alfred Billiotu and the Russian
consul at Canea agree that such a
proclamation would do much to reas-
sure the ISLANDERS, who as already seen
at Candamo and Akrotiri would be in
clined to acquiesce on learning that
autonomy would be granted.
The foreign admirals went into the
Apokorona district yesterday after
noon to interview the insurgent chiefs.
1t appears that the admirals and con
suls have already discussed the proc
lamaton of autonomy since the porte
has agreed to it, but the powers are
not yet in unison as to details. and
therefore it is impossible to make an
official proclamation.
Colonel Metaxas, the Greek war min
lister, who succeeded Colonel Smolenitz
last week, is the son of a distinguished
soldier who himself was an intimate
friend of Lord Byron. 1t is also assert
ed that MetaXas is an excellent officer,
and has already accomplished a great
deal, though his tenure Of position has
been brief.
In the course of an interview Colonel
Metaxas told The Times correspondent
that he had accepted the war port
folio with great reluctance, but was
now determined to devote himself to
his duties with the utmost vigor, and
without regard to purely political con-
siderations. Preparations are now in
a forward stage. All the reservists
who are going to the front, whether
provided with uniforms or not, win be
better clad I'm any event than the Turk
ish soldiers he asserted.
Colonel Metaxas has given orders of
the most strict sort to the army to
avoid Offering provocation but it is
d
within a few days, owing to the action
of the volunteers and peasants who
have been armed by a secret society
Should the society give the signal wal
would be unavoidable Colonel Me.
taXas said that he hoped the powers
would urge Turkey to desist massine
| troops on the frontier. The excitement
of the Greek troops there is so intens,
/ that the slightest incident of a hos
| tile character might provoke q col.
/ lision
"The readiness with which the re.
/ servists have responded to the call OF
the government" said Colonel Metax.
as, lis remarkable There have beer
scarcely any defaulters.'
The commanders of the Greek cruis
ers Alphios and Pinos are still in Gre
tan waters and in a most difficult po
sition. Their express orders are only
to retire from Canea bay under pro
test, but on no account to leave Creta1
waters. They are ordered to resist t,
the death any attack upon them, foi
the honor of the Greek flag and nation
which reposes confidence in the sons o.
heroes" This latter allusion refers t
the fact that the Greek commander.
are descendants of the Greek chief
hoHuouriotls anu Nlaulls' Inc cfuiser
are nourIy eApecleu 10 oe lreu upon
oolile ulSsSll laCtioIl Is beginning u
eApiess luSelL asalllsV the soVerhIleh
LoL LOT ils lalIuIe 70 MAKE peIIer proVisloi
lUr me present cI'sls' IL Is auIillUIe'
lllau hlns george TOOK 1he necessar!
measures lor Ile increase ol Ihe army
puI 1t Is Iell VilaI une war uepattInen
iau HoI Hlelus proper preparation
This, however, is not sufficient t