The record-union., 1897-03-08

Withdraw From Crete.
ATHENS, March 7.-(COpyrighted
1897 by the Associated Press.)-The sit
uation of affairs here as this dispatch
is sent Q1 a. m.), remains grave, al
though there are a few signs here and
there since yesterday that pacific So
luton of the Cretan crisis is yet possl-
BILE This is more particularly so in
the case of Greece. It is believed the
Government is sincere in not desiring
TO start any condagration which may
spread far and wide. The gravity of
the situation is recognized on all sides,
and all those interested seem willing to
arrive at a peaceful settlement of the
difficulties if possible.
Greece is displaying undiminished
firmness in her intention to carry out
at all cost the programme which she
has mapped out for herself in regard
to Crete, while at the same time sup
porting the pacific intentions of her
advisors.
It is stated that Prince Maurocor-
dato, the Greek Minister at Constan-
tinople, has addressed a note to the
1 uI hiSil GOV NeIHIleHi- proposing 70 re-
call the Greek troops from the from
tiers of Macedonia, and Albania if the
Turkish troops near the Greek frontier
are simultaneously withdrawn. The
Porte, however, has not shown any
haste to accede to this proposition.
AT the same time this note was sent
to the Turkish Government stringent
orders We're issued to the commanders
of the Greek troops in Thessaly to do
everything possible to avoid anything
calculated to provoke a conflict while
the hope was expressed to the Turkish
officials at Constantinople that the
Porte would issue similar instructions
to the commanders of the Turkish
troops in Macedonia.
Dispatches since received here from
Thessaly- indicate that the wishes of
King George viii be carried out 1t
was stated that although the Greek
troops are animated with unabated en-
thusasm nothing was done to need
lessly irritate the Turks.
An incident showing this to be the
case has occurred near Melun. a
Greek officer of engineers was enga ged
in supervising the work of repairing a
road close to the frontier and was pre-
vented by some Turkish officials from
proceeding with the task The Greeks
have not taken action in the matter, al
though it is claimed they were we'll
within their rights in proceeding with
the repairs. on the other hand. a dis
patch received here from Canea at q:3O
this morning states that Col. Vassos.
who is in command of the Greek
army of occupation as it is termed in
Athens, has received at his camp near
Platania, instructions from King
George to be prepared to resist coercion
to the end
This feeling. which pervades all the
orders sent to the Greek commanders
in Crete, is further shown in Canea
dispatches received at 9 O'Clock this
morning. referring to the incident
which occurred at Selino yesterday. Be
Tore deciding 10 land the mixed detach-
ment OF marines. the admirals parleved
Tor long time with the Greek Commo-
dore, Col. Nassos and the Greek Vice
Consuls- Evasive answers only were
returned to the Admirals. the Greek
Commodore protesting against the OBJ
stacIes which were placed in the way
of his action and Col. Vassos asserting
that he had no authority over the in
surgents who We're investing Selino.
These replies, coupled with the insist
ence Of the Greek Vice Consul that he
would only consent to go to Selino on
board Greek warship and in the name
OF King George of Greece, compelled
the foreign Admirals in Difference ia
their instructions. to decide to deliver
the imprisoned Moslems. even if they
had to use force against the Insurgents
or the Greeks in order to do so.
Therefore a detachment of marines
was landed at SeIino from the foraign
warships and it set out forthwith for
Candlamo, distance of seven miles
The Greek Consul. NJ Baraclis there
upon informed the Admirals that the
Greek Government declined all respon-
sibllity for what might take place II
is said there are 1000 Moslene ne
sieged az Candiamo. where the earth
works of the Turks have been partly
destroyed by the fire of the insurgents
many men being killed on both sides.
Additional advices from Crete this
morning say the insurgents have
formed Gordon around Canea. and
that yesterday evening the insurgents
attacked the Turkish positions at Ma
&tiAd anu hEfdkBui. NiltIE lHtN ATTEMPT
ed TO destroy the block house with the
use of dynamite. The fighting. how
ever. was OF desultory nature, and
this morning hostiliues We're reported
t. be at a standstll. 1t is announced
that 800 men of the Greek reserves will
embark tomorrow morning at Corfu
for Karvasara and Arta.
5:15 p. m.-The answer of Greece tc
the indenGcal notes of the powers was
discussed at n meeting OF the Cabinet
and approved by King George to-day
i is understood that the reply is a re-
fusal TO withdraw the Greek fleet and
troops from Crete. on the ground thai
the recall would be signal for pillage
incendiarism and murder. The complete
text OF the note will not be known until
it is presented to the ambassadors oi
the powers tomorrow.
In diplomatic circles, it is said, that
the Greek answer may lead to negotia-
tions based upon a proposal for CO.