New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-22
BLOCKADE OF CRETE BEGUN.
FOREIGN ADMIRALs CARRY OUT THEIR
PROCLAMATION

CHRISTIANS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND
WILL BE THE WORST surFERERs-DEPEND-
ING on GREEK BLOCKADE RUN
NERs-sHoTs on THE THEs-
sALIAN BORDER.
Canea, March 2l.-According to the proclama-
ton issued by the foreign admirals. the block
ade of Crete began at o'clock this morning.
Ii Is apparent that the blockade Is directed solely
against the Christians In the interior. and that
the Mosems will suffer little inconvenience from
the action Of the six great Christian nations Of
Europe. 1t appears that the object Of the block
aiding squadron is to prevent the landing of
supplies Of food clothing. etc. destined for the
starving Christians In the interior, while the
Mussulmans who have nocked to the coast
towns. are allowed to land whatever they want.
The few Christians remaining here find II diff
fcult to understand the motives that ara
prompting the Powers TO exert their energies
to crush the Christian population Of the island,
while the Moslems have a free hand to do nearly
as they please. About the only hope OF the
Christians outside the coast towns Is in Greek
blockade runners. who will not hesitate to run
through the Gordon Of foreign warshp3 around
the island
There was an exchange Of shots yesterday
between insurgents and Moslem volunteers in
the vicinity OF Suda Bay The Turkish warships
in the bay bombarded the insurgents but the
result is not known number OF foreign war
ships were in the bay but they took part in
the firing.
If any further evidence was necessary TO prove
the antagonism OF the Powers, represented
by their admrals to the Christians 1t Is fur
nshed by an incident that has JUST occurred
at Akrotiri. which is the place where the fleets
recently bombarded the insurgents position.
Akrotiri Is on the peninsula Of that name which
projects in a northeasterly direction from Canea.
The insurgents there are cut off from receiving
provisions from the land side by the Turkish
and foreign troops and the foreign warships
have prevented them from receiving supplies
from sea Their position Is becoming desperate.
and they yesterday sent ENJOYS to Suda to beg
that food be supplied to them from the war
ships. The admrals refused TO give them the
assistance asked for. but said that II medical
aid was needed 1t would he forthcoming. Later
several Of the doctors from the fleets visited
the camp Of the insurgents.
1t Is reported here that when the Italian Off
Ger who was intrustei with the duty Of In
forming Colonel Vassos. the commander or the
Of the blockade handed copy of the blockade
proclamation to the Greek comma nder the lat
ter. after reading IT, declared that he would
resist II as far as il was In his power 10 do SO
Later he had conference with the nsurgent
chiefs and he afterward said that he would
cause every copy of the autonomy proclamat tion
TO he torn up
The more the subject OF autonomy is consd-
cred the less practicable IT appears to be. and
the conviction Is rapidly growing that the
Powers will find their scheme Of The
belief prevails that under the plan Of autonomy
Il would h" hopeless for Mosenis and Christians
10 obtain equal justice. The religious feud be-
tween the two scots Is too great ~ expect that
the Christians would act Justly toward the Mos
lens ~. the former were In absolute control Of
the government. Autonomy would only serve
10 aggravate the numerous blood feuds now ex-
isting. and lighting would continue until the
Moslens were cxttrminated Thus far in the
present troubles two Moslems have been killed
to every Christian. which is a reversal Of the
conditions prevailing in former disturbances
About two-t thirds Of the island is owred by Mos
lens. but much of 1t has been laid waste. All
the landed estates are now In the hands Of the
insurgents
Judging from the reports which reach Canea
from the camp Of Colonel Vassos. IT Is thought
that he intends to assume the offensive shortly
in which case plenty of employment will he fur
nished to the foreign troops.
1t is rumOred that Greece has offered to buy
the island from Turkey. This idea grows in IA
vor rapidly There is little doubt. If Turkey
would accept such an offer. that the money for
the purchase could be found in twenty-four
hours.
Athens. March 2l.-It rs said here tina: the
49, o.
nominating Prince George OF Greece for Gov
ernor Of Crete.
A number of Greek sharpshooters at Pra-
manda on the frontier. fired upon some Turkish
soldiers who were on their own territory. the
Turks were deeply angered, and II was only with
the greatest difficulty that their officers prevent
ed conflict The Greeks were equally desirous
with the Turks for the opening of hostties,
and II was hard TO hold them in check. The
advices reporting the incident do not state when
1t occurred.