The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-03-24
THE PORTE NOTIFIED.
OF Intention to Land Troops on Isle
of Crete.

Vi OIcU0.
The Determination Assented To--War Pre-.
parations in Greece Continue Night
and Day-Turkish Squadron Still at
Dardanelles.
Constantinople, March 3.-The Ambas-
| sadors have formally notified the Turkish
government Of the intention of the
Powers to land troops on the island of
| Crete for the purpose Of relieving the de-
tachments of foreign marines now ON
| duty ashore. The Porte has raised no OBJ
jections up to the present, believing that
the foreign fleets will then carry out the
threat OF the Powers to blockade the
principal ports and coasts Of Greece. On
this question, however, there is no
unanimity of opinion, the impression
prevailing that Great Britain and Italy,
at least, will strongly oppose such step,
believing that 1t would cause Greece to
promptly declare war upon Turkey, q
elimination of the crisis which some of
the Powers are apparently still hopeful Of
averting.
In the meantime the war preparations
in Greece are continuing day and night,
and there are no Indications of back
down in that quarter. Troops are being
continually hurried to the frontiers, the
work of erecting Notifications is progress
ing rapidly, and all should be in readi-
ness for an advance early In April, when
| the weather will be much more propitious
than now for military purposes.
The Turkish squadron is still in the
Dardanellss, and the opinion is expressed
that it will remain there indefinitely
The Turkish headquarters are at Elias
Larinna. Field guns and other batteries
have been placed in position by both
sides at the entrances and exits of the
mountain passes leading to and from
Thessaly into Macedonia and Epirius.
The base of supplies of the Turks is at
Salonica and that of the Greeks is at
Athens, although the troops and supplies
for the armies in the field are landed at
Volo, Lamia and other ports.
The Turks are estimated to have about
80, 900 men, regulars and irregulars,
under arms in Macedonia and Epirius,
and they are credited with having 150 to
300 field pieces with them.
The Greeks are believed to have about
40, 900 men under arms on the frontiers
|
procurahle, In order to oounteract as
much as possible, their inferiority in ar
tillery. In cavalry, also, the Turks are
said to be much stronger than the Greeks
but by the beginning Of April, it IL be-
| lieved, the Greeks will be in q much
better state of readiness for war than at
present. Money does not appear to be
lacking for the equipment OF the Greeks,
and large supplies of arms and ammuni-
tion have been forthcoming, from what
source is not so clear.
There is one feature of the situation
which should not be overlooked. The
Greeks are animated by the strongest
feelings Of warlike enthusiasm. while
| the Turks are said to be suffering the
greatest privations, without pay or proper
equipment, which has made them far
from desirous of entering upon an ag-
gressive campaign. The hospital and
camp arrangements OF the Turks are pro-
nounced to be most defective, and to
have already resulted In serious sickness
and many deaths among the Redifs
brought from Asia Minor into the
Provinces of Epirius and Macedonia.
If war be declared the Greek army from
Larissa will probably try to enter
Macedonia under the Grown Prince Con-
stantine, and a second Greek army will
possibly attempt to enter Epirius from
| the vicinity of Arta.
L
averted by timely concessions to Greece.
such as the withdrawal Of all Turk ish
forces from Crete and the selection of
Prince George of Greece as governor of
Crete, with the understanding that when
all Is quiet plebiscite Is to decide
| whether or not the island shall be an
nexed to Greece.
The Greek government, according to a
dispatch from Athens, has just called on
the last of It's reserves, and has called to
the colors all mon So years Of age or up
wards. len additional battalions of
Greek infantry are being formed, besides
fourteen more batteries Of artillery. These
preparations certainly do not point to the
approach of a peaceful solution of the
| crisis in the near future.
ENGLAND's STOUT PROTEST.
Against Slaughter of 100 Armenians In
Auatola.
| Constantinople. March 28.-In oonse-
quenoe of the troubles at Tokat. in the
Sivas district. Anatola, Sir Philip Curri-
er British ambassador has sent the
the government imam official communi-
cation. The official report of the affair
said that fifteen Armenians and three
Mussulmen were killed. Reliable in
formation shows that 100 Almsnians
were killed. During and after the mas
sacre the Armenian quarter of the city
was g iven over to the pillaRe.
| The Turkish newspapers in comments
upon blockade of Crete remark upon the
puoit1c attitude of the powers toward
Turkey. Their attitude they say is COM
formable with the rights and political in
tsrests OF the Porte and furnishes fresh
proof of the striking success gained by
the Sultan. 1t also testifed.to the friend
ship..of the powers for the Porte and their
solicitude for the peace of the world.
SOLUTION SAID TO BE REACHED.
King George To Be Permitted to Admin
| lister Affairs of Crete.
| London, March 24.-The Morning Lead
er gives prominent place to private
telegram from Paris .deolaripg that the
powers have accepted proposal made
by theISultan that King George of Greece
shall occupy and administer the govern.
| of Crato Turkov rocoruiur. bor