The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-26
WAR FLEETS DEFIED
By THE LIBERTY SEEKING PEOPLE
OF THE ISLAND OF CRETE.
Turks Put to Flight and the Block
house at MaIaxa Blown Up
with Dynamite.
FOUGHT AMID FLYING SHELLS
OF TURKEY AND THE POWERS.
Great Excitement nt Athens When
News of the Fighting and Action of
AdmiraIs Reached that city.
IMPORTANT ACTION TAKEN
GROWN PRINCE CONSTANTINE Or
DERED To THE FROETIER.
Great Excitement at Athens when
Admirals Reached that City.
IMPORTANT ACTION TAKEN
GROWN PRINCE CONSTANTINE Or
DERED To THE FROETIER.
where HOstilities May Begin at Any
Time-Britain Refuses To Take
Part in Greek Blockade.

LONDON, March 26.-Interest in the Gre
tan question now centers in the war be-
tween the Turks and Christians in Crete,
which broke out afresh with renewed vigor
yesterday. During Wednesday night the
insurgents attacked the Mussulmans on the
outskirts of Suda and drove them from the
blockhouse at Malaxa. The fighting con-
tinued all yesterday. Both the Turkish war
ships and vessels of the foreign fleets
shelled the Christians. Last night the
rebels blew UP the blockhouse and 1t was
burned.
A dispatch from Athens says the news OF
the dynamiting Of the Malaxa biockhouse
at o'clock last night, as the elimination
of day of fierce fighting and prolonged
siege, has made a tremendous sensation in
Athens 1t is regarded as an event of far
reaching Importance. both i'm it's effect on
the insurgents themselves and upon the
Greek mind at this stage OF the crisis. 1t
confirms the belief generally entertained in
official circles at Athens, as we'll as by the
people at large, that the Christians in Crete
are not in the least deferred by the block
ade. and not in the least beguiled by the
appeals of the admirais the implied ar
guments of the autonomy proclamation.
Advices from Canea as to the details of
displayed the most desperate valor and left
the Turkish garrison of the bockhouse no
choice but flight. Evacuation by the Mos
lens was followed Immediately by occupa-
ton by the insurgents who were close on
the heels of the flying foe. To hold the
blockhouse in the face of rain of shells
from the Turkish war ships I'm Suda bay
was impossible. The commander of the in
surgents having resolved that if they could
not keep II neither should the Moslems. and
he blew the whole structure into fragments
with successive heavy charges of dyna-
mite. AT s o'clock last night the long
fought-for blockhouse was mass of burn
ing debris and the flames were lighting up
the blockaded waters OF the bay.
BOLD MOVE BY GREEKS.
Immediately receipt of the news at
Athens the premier and the minister of war
drove together rapidly to the royal palace,
where they had an audience with the King.
What happened there can only be guessed
at. but one thing is significant King George
and the Cabinet have given the consent
they had with withheld for the last four
days to the formal sazetting of Crown
Prince Constantine commander in chief
of the Greek army i'm Thessaly and de-
cree will be published to-day. 1t is under
stood that the crown prince will not wait
for the actual appearance of his commits
sion in print but will start for the frontier
ait o'clock this morning. The hour is
| fixed so early in order that any unneces-
sary demonstration by the populace may
| be avoided The departure of the crown
| prince with the full approval of the King
| and the Cabinet to take supreme control
| Of the army can have but one meaning.
| The Greek government is determined not
| TO accept the terms offered by the powers
| for a peaceful settlement of the Cretan
| difficulties. His presence among the troops
| is certain to have the most exhilaratng ef-
| feet upon them, and it is notice to Turkey
| that If conflict comes the Greek troops
will enter il under the leader of their own
| choice. The step thus taken is momentous.
| The official Proia denies that the govern
ment has made any proposal to the powers
respecting Crete beyond its original reply
to the Identical notes of the powers.
The military preparations at Athens go
| on increasingly upon large scale. Con-
tracts are being placed abroad for blankets
and cloth for uniforms. as well as other
| equipments. The Greek newspapers con-
| tinue with one voice TO denounce the pro-
| posal that Prince George should become
| the Governor of Crete and IL is generally
| felt that the temper of the people is such
that this solution could not now be accept
| ed by the government. even If the powers
| were willing to accept il. The news of Lord
Salisburys expected interview with Nj.
/ Hanotaux has made great sensation al
| Athens and II is remarked as the only
| plausible chance of arriving at a settlement
which will avert war.
Already an agitation has begun i'm Athens
| for the return of the Cars donation for
the benefit of Cretan refugees. More than
| this the people now demand that the clergy
shall cease to pray for the Car. Thousands
of signatures are appended 10 a protest by
Cretans against the blockade. which pro-
test runs i'm part as follows: I'VE, Cretans
sojourning in Greece. protest before God
and man against the unjust and inhuman
death which some Of tho great potentates
of the earth seek to impose by famine upon
our fellow-countrymen. whose only crime
| IS that they are seeking for freedom as
| those potentates themselves have formerly
| DONE
The Times correspondent at Canea saws
| the landing OF the Seaforth Highlanders at
| Gambia yesterday caused an exciting scene.
| 1t was evident that the natives had not
! been warned OF their coming. The Turkish
| soldiers fastened to the shore. loading
| their rifles and using menacing language,
| but were soon pacified.
k GREECE WILL REPLY TO-DAY.
! The Daily Chronicles correspondent al
Athens says the reply OF the Greek govern
mept 10 the notification of blockade will
be handed TO the foreign ambassadors to-
day 1t will be a brief and dignifed pro-
| 81. n.
result of the blockade os the island must be
| to starve innocent Cretans. a private meet
| ing OF members of the Boule was held in
Athens yesterday and as the result of Il