The record-union., 1897-02-17
Attack and Occupy Fort Ashia, Capturing
Four Hundred Turkish Subjects.
Included Among Whom Were One
Hundred Soldiers.
Occupation of Canea by narines From
the Russian, French, British,
Italian and Austrian Fleets Causing
General Satisfaction - Christians
Believe the Rule of Mussulmans at
an End.
an End.

an End.
ATHENS, Feb. 16.-(Copyrighted
1897, by the Associated Press )-Tht
Greek troops in Crete, it is announced
are advancing on Canea-
According 10 dispatch received from
Crete this afternoon the Greek troops
have attacked and occupied Fort Aghia
capturing 400 Turkish subjects, includ-
ing 100 soldiers.
MUSSULMAN RULE AT AN END.
CANEA Qsland of Crete), Feb. 16.-
The Russian, French, British, Italian
and Austrian flags are floating over
Canea to-day and the fact causes gen
eral satisfaction here. The state OF
uncertainty which has SO long pre-
vailed is at an end and the Christians
believe themselves rid for all time OF
Mussulmdn rule.
There are $50 foreign marines ashore
They occupy the best positions in the
town. The utmost order is maintained
Shortly after landing yesterday the
Italian officer who is in command o1
the foreign forces, by agreement issued
a summons addressed to the command
SL VI lilt NlltGh ARMY 1OI IJS dt Id lO-
mics, Colonel Vassos, to withdraw his
troops, and the insurgents were called
upon to cease hostilities, pending the
decision of the future of Crete.
The Greek commander replied: 81
came here with four battalions with or
ders to occupy the country and I must
carry out my orders pending further
instructions.
The orders of the foreign Admirals
being confined to the prevention of the
landing of Greek forces at Canea, Reti-
mo and Herkalion, they could not in
terfere with the Greeks under Colonel
Nassos.
Later an officer of the gendarmes was
sent t. Akrotiri to notify the insur-
gents of the joint occupation of Canea
by the forces of the powers and to call
upon them to lay down their arms and
cease hostilities. The insurgent lead
ers promises, to consider the matter
Hadepa and its vicinity are tranquil
1t is reported that strong reinforce
ments of Greeks will be landed to-day
The occupation of Canea was car
ried out by the foreign fleets with the
consent of Turkish officials, and is not
in any way likely to add to the comph-
cations at Constantinople. The COM
mander of the Greek fleet was also for
mally notified of the joint occupation
of this place.
The Turkish authorities are demoral-
lied. and are simply following out the
recommendations they receive from
foreign Admirals, who are acting in ac-
cord and consult upon every step
taken.
1t is thought certain that the next
departure viii be the establishment of
provisional Christian Government in
Crete, pending the consent of the Pow
ers being given to annexation of the
island to Greece, though it does seem as
if that country was willing to wait any
longer for the necessary permission,
and intends to administer all parts of
the island not occupied by the foreign
marines.
The proclamation of Colonel NaSsOs,
the commander Of the Grecian forces of
Plantonicus. was dated at the convent
OF Coma and read:
'Cretans: You are suffering. from the
present state OF anarchy and are ex-
posed to the excesses of a fanatical
populace, excesses which have awak-
tItl IllS iid kIBifSA StlNIIIilEINL ANA nav =
deeply stirred the Hellenic people This
lamentable situation of people Of the
same race and same religion. having
common destinies with ourselves, could
not any longer be allowed TO exist
The King of the Hellenes my au-
gust master. has resolved TO end this
state of things by a military occupa-
tion of Crete. In proclaiming this oc-
cupation to the Inhabitants. without
distinction Of religion or nationality, l
promise in the name Of his majesty to
protect honor, life and property, and to
respect the religious convictions of the
inha bitants while bringing them peace
and law"
GREECE STANDS FIRM.
ATHENS, Feb. 16 Copyrighted. 1897,
l,v the Associated Press. 1t is gener-
ally believed here that the Cretan feat
,,res of the Eastern question are now a
thing of the past and the landing of
Greek troops in Crete. as exclusively
announced by the Associated Press yes
terday afternoon. is not likely to turn
out a casus belh between Turkey and
Greece.
The absolute decision of Greece to
PERSIST in the occupation of Crete and
the protection of the Christians on that
island in spite of the attitude Of the
Powers. is founded on the declaration
of the Cretans that they are prepared
to shed the last drop of their blood in
order to attain their national aspira-
tions. TO which they add that they Will
not be satisfied with anything short Of
complete union with Greece. These Cir
cumstances were communicated by
Greece to the Powers and the policy OF
the Greek Government has been carried
out at every point.
An order Of the Minister Of War NJ.
Smolentiz, has been gazetted appoint
ing Colonel Vasson aide-de-camp TO
King George, commander of the Greek
army corps landed yesterday at Platon-
les, short distance from Canea. After
explaining that the action OF Greece IS
due to the fact that she is unable to
tolerate any longer the "lamentable
situation of the Christians in Crete, 10
whom we are united by the sacred ties
of religion" the order proceeds: The
Government consequently has decided
to occupy the island in the name Of
King George and raise his flag over the
fortresSeS of which you viii take pos