New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-25
FIRE AND SWORD IN CRETE
.NApcgY REIGNS IN THE ILL-STARRED
LITTLE ISLAND

roRr1GN ADMIRALs vAINIy TRYING TO
KEEP MosIKMs AND CHRISTIANS
FROM FLYING At EACH
OTHERS THRoATs.
Canta Feb. 24-Fre discovered this
morning in the Governors Palace, a Dulldihs
constructed Of wood. and in a short time 'ne
structure with all its contents was Dur"eu ~
the ground Daring the progress OF ''e "'e
there was considerable excitement Ill 'iie ''""'
but there is reason TO believe that the hre was
not Of incendiary origin. but was que 20 acei-
dent.
Although Colonel Vassos. commanding the
Crook ,oyces IN Crete and the insurgents have
owing 70 the presence here or foreign Warshlps
abandoned their idea OF attacking the town. at
lacks continue 10 be made at various other places
A marty Of insurgents to-day descended TO a plain
in the vicinity of Canea and set fire to consider
able Mussulman property.
London Feb 24-"The Daily News" will to-
morrow publish dispatch from Canea giving
a vivid description OF the burning Of the Gov
ernor's Palace there to-day. NiceAdmiral Cane
varo of the Italian Squadron who Is in COM
irand Of the united naval forces In the Cretan
waters. lived in the palace. which was guarded
by a strong force OF Italian sailors. The ener-
cetic efforts of the British marines who form a
part OF the foreign force occupying the town.
which were continued for three hours alone
saved the thckly populated district in which the
Palace was located from destruction. Detach-
1nents Of sailors from the warships in the harbor
were landed and rendered valuable aid IN nSht-
Ing the flames.
The fire destroyed the last vestige of the ma
chinery Of the Turkish Government. All of the
records were consumed we'll as contracts and
financial legal and municipal documents.
While the Palace burning the Moslem rab-
be set fire to several houses in the town and
suburbs The Montenegrin police who patrolled
the town extnguished these fires when II was
possible for them do so. but three large houses
belonging TO Christian merchants who were ap-
sent were destroyed The Mosems are much ex-
cited and more incendiarism is expected. In the
event Of setting on fire Of several buildings in
different sections at the same time the force OF
sailors and marines now in the town would he
found to be insufficient 70 cope with the fires The
representatives Of the Powers. il is said. VIII not
attempt to fulfil their engagement 10 preserve the
safety Of the town. They will protect the Turks
and the Turkish property and will neglect the
Christians and their belongings. No strong ef-
forts were made to save the three houses oefore
mentioned and in view Of this apathy 1t would
moi be surprising if the Moslems should begin
course of wholesale destruction of the property
OF absentees.
~
savs that the situation in that town causes
much anxiety The Mussuman populace are
armed and greatly excited. Turks have been
uarading the streets. exhibiting their indigha-
ton In various ways.
The situation at Seino. the dispatch says. is
serious the Benghazi Arabs threatening TO burn
the entire town because the Beys as they as
sert. have deserted them. The suggestion or
the Consuls that mixed force be landed IN
IN
has not been adopted the foreign Admirals
having decided TO cOnfine their action to the
sending of warshps 70 exercise moral lhhu-
ence upon the contending parties whom, IT
seems however. there is little hope of recon-
Cling
THE Daily Chronicle" will tomorrow publish
n dispatch saying that following the demand
upon Colonel Vassos. commanding the Greek
troops in Crete, for the evacuation OF MS posi-
lion the foreign admrals threatened TO lombard
him If he should attack the Turkish army or any
Of the Turkish positions.
4 report has been received from the COM
,nander of the British warshpS lying off Sitia. at
The eastern extremity Of the Island of Crete say
ing that the recent report of massacre OF Mos
lens at that place is utterly untrue.
Tomorrow The Times will publish dispatch
from Canea confirming the report Of the dan
perous situation which exists in the town, owing
10 the lack of proper control There Is strong
SUSPICION the dispatch says, that the fire that
destroved the Governors Palace was Of incen-
diary origin BANDS daily make excursions to
,be Halepa district for the purpose of footing
The houses Of Christians which have been de-
serted.
Athens Feb IA dispatch from Canea says
@ha, al the fire in the Governors Palace there
to-day the Governors safe fell from the floor on
which il stood into the ruins and burst open
Tho safe contained 1900 Turkish. The
soldiers who had gathered about the burning
building and were engaged in trying to cX-
tinguish the flames. seeing the contents Of
the safe exposed Iied to steal the money. but |
were prevented by me European officers, VINO /
directed the sailors under their command TO fire |
a vo,lev Of blank cartridges at the would-be rob- |
hers The incident nearly caused riot between |
the Turks and Europeans. 1smail Bey accused |
the sailors Of plundering the Palace, and an In |
vesti.ation was at once begun by the adnlrals |
Of the foreign warships. The inquiry proved
thai the charges against the sailors were entirely
without foundation
QUEEN OLGA SENDS INSIGNIA BACK.
SIZE WON'T ACCEPT HoSORs FROM RUSSIA SINCE
HER CorNTRYMEN WERE FIRED oN.
London. Feb. PA dispatch from Vienna to