The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-02-24
GREEKS DARE NOT FIGHT
Held in Check by the Presence
of Foreign War Vessels.
AUTONOMY FOR THE ORETANs.

The Powers VIII Not Permit Greece to
Annex the Island-The Turkish Ruler
Making Big Biun at Preparations for
War.
Athens. Feb. 24.-Today's dispatches
indicate little change in the Cfetan sit
uation. The foreign squadrons are still
practically blockading the island by
preventing any communication with
the camp of Colonel Vassos at Pla-
tsnia.
All of the Cretan chieftains of the
provinces of Apokorona, Agio, Vassili
and Sphakia have sent proclamations
to the foreign consuls declaring their
determination to unite with Greece.
The king of Greece has published a
message enjoining the people Of his
country to remain calm and dignitied
and repose confidence in the govern
ment. This message became necessary
on account of the growing excitement
since the bombardment.
1t Is reported on good authority that
the sultan has ordered II divisions of
the army mobiized for the purpose Of
enabling him, with the irregulars, to
put 100000 men in the field 80, 900 each
against Greece and Bulgaria, the re-
mainder as a reserve. The work of
moblizing Is proceeding more smoothly
than was expected, even money forth
coming, it is believed, from the sui
tan's private purse and various re-
ligous funds. This, however, is only
precautionary. The sultan has no idea
Of carrying on an aggressive war. On
the contrary, it Is evident that some
scheme Of Cretan autonomy on the
Samoan Islands model is under con-
sideration. Probably the powers will
accept this, but II is premature to say
that the sultan has given his formal
sanction. Much will depend upon the
attitude of Greece, but it is believed
the powers have agreed not to permit
Greece to annex Crete.
The executive chamber held lively
session yesterday, declining to accept
resolution protesting against the
bombardment and eXhorting the gov
ernment to adopt an active policy.
Prime Minister Delyannis said that it
was not digniiied to frame vain pro-
tests, and invited vote of confidence.
hS ilCiipCio VI tlS pppooitioh
upon announced that they would alb
stain from voting. The vote of conf
dence was adopted.
The Canea correspondent of the Lon
don Times visited the scene of Sun
days bombardment. and ascertained
that three persons were killed and u
wounded as result of the cannonade.
The foreign admirals asked for safe
conduct for the purpose of enabling
them to visit the camp of the insur-
gents and verify the results of the
bombarding. as they were skeptical
concerning the existence of persons
purporting to have been wounded. The
Greek commodore refused to comply
with this request, on the ground that
he was unable to guarantee their
safety.
The encouraging effect of the bonn
bardment on the Turks Is already visi-
BILE. Both Monday and yesterday the
Turks cannon We're busily engaged in
firing on the Greek outposts at Platan-
onia and the Christians at Akrotiri.
The fire of the Turks was not returned,
their foes fearing the carrying out of
a repetition of the bombardment.
The insurgents, through the Greek
commodore. have addressed a formal
protest against the bombardment to
the foreign admirals, soemnly assert
ing that the Turks were the aggres-
sors in Sundays firing. The Chris
tians are now at the mercy of the
Turks. since they do not dare to reply
to the fire for fear of being bombarded.