The herald., 1897-04-22
The Greek Commander

We found Colonel VassoGHi in large
rccm on the first floor of a Cretan house.
A small camp-bed and three white
wooden tables covered with papers and
maps were all the furnishings of the
COMMUNICATIVE chief, who was perfectly
delighted when we gave him his wife's
and daughters letters and a number OF
photographs OF his family taken by
Mr.. Underwood. After a general con-
versation of few minutes Colonel
vassos placed himself at my disposal
and that of Leslie's Weeklys readers,
ard I opened fire by asking what the
situation was exactly.
But very good" answered the colonel
smilingly. 1--WE are occupying magnifi-
cent positions, which ] consider quite
impregnable. / have with me 1000 reg
ular troops and twenty-four guns, and
around my camp are 10000 well-armed
and well-drilled Christians. These men
make magnificent soldiers, accustom-
ed, as they are, since their boyhood, to
using a rifle and standing any amount
OF hard work and fatigue. Ghave also
armed every Christian in the island
who was not and we have ammunition
to last for five months of actual war;
fare We have really no fear as to the
immediate future.
'It may also interest you to know
that govornment has been organized
all through the island in the name of
King George of Greece. and Is already
in very good working order, the people
accepting 1t with enthusiasm. In fact,
the whole country may be considered
pacified, with the exception of the few
fortified seaports held by the great pow
ers, where, under the protection of Eu-
ropean guns, the Turks are allowed to
continue their work of murder. There,
on the territory declared to be neutral
by the admirals, Turkish columns are
allowed to form and search around
for the poor Christians who have not
been able to run away far enough. And
If at last the indignant Christians come
out of the mountains in force to revenge
themselves, then the admirals turn their
big guns against them, butcher them,
destroy houses, and even. converts and
churches, and kill sisters of charity
What beautiful and noble work they
are accomplishing, the admirals, in the
name Of civilized and Christian Eu-
rope!"
"Is it true, colonel, that you have
written to King George informing him
that, should he recall you, you would
return your sword and decorations and
become chief of the insurgents?"
mo; it is absolutely false I am the
humble servant of his majesty, my au-
gust sovereign. Ihave always, and will
always obey his orders implicitly. BY
his will am here, by his will 1 may
10 q a ht1f Iek All
that there is no danger Of my being re-
called. I received last night some mes
sages from his majesty, in which he
stated that we would remain here, no
matter what Europe says"
But suppose, colonel, that force
should be used against you to get you
out of the island?"
Force? BY whom? The great pow
ers? They can't do it,"
But let us suppose the powers should
allow Turkey to send thousands of men
here, and prevent at the same time any
re-enforcements from reaching your"
This is another thing, and the powers
might do that, but I assure you that in
the positions I am holding. with the
high and wild mountains of Crete be-
hind me and the whole Christian popu-
lstion with me, fear neither Turkey
nor any one else"
"What do you consider would be the
result of the recall from the island Of
the Greek troops?"
"It would be the signal of the most
frightful and sanguinary massacre the
world has ever seen. We have been act
ing as pacificator; we protect Mussul-
man and Christian alike. The day we
go they will once more butcher each
other, and Europe would be responsible
for it."-A. B. de Guerville in Leslie's
Weekly,