The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-23
THE CRETE CONFLICT.
Greek People Eager for War, but
the Rulers Protest.
ANXIOUS TO AVERT HOsTILITIIs.
But the Government Dares Not Recall
Colonel vassos from Crete Unless tho
Turkish Troops Were simultaneously
Rscalled-IpJustice Of the Blockade.

HeCalled-IDJustico OF tho blockhues
london, March 2S.-The Athens cor
respondent says that The Proia, the
ministerial organ, commenting upon
the departure in disgust of the Italian
deputy who came to Athens demanding
immediate war, uses language which
breathes the spirit of great moderation
and dwells upon the necessity of act
ing with prudence and calmness In all
matters involving international obliga-
tions. The Proia also says that the en-
tire expense of mobilization is being
betrayed by the treasury, the subscrip-
tions from abroad being very small.
The Times correspondent also says
that various incidents Are reported as
showing the irrit, ting attitude taken
by the Turks, and an outbreak of hos
tilties is daily expected. But, though
the populace and the army are eager
for war. 1t Is believed that the govern
ment Is sincerely anxious to find
peaceful solution. Yet no government
could venture to recall Colonel Vassos
from Crete unless the Turkish troops
were simultaneously recalled. Against
even this concession, without annex
alton, there would be murmurs, but the
government has strong majority in
the boule, and the nation would soon
see the prudence of step which must
lead ultimately to annexation.
THE government is certainly doing
Its best to prevent an explosion. Col
onel Mauromichalis, commanding at
Larissa, and Colonel Manos, command
ing at Arta, possess great influence
with the army, and it is hoped that
they may be able to exercise the neces-
sary restraint over the troops.
THE government emphatically denies
that the Turkish consuls In Thessaly
have suffered any Ill usage whatever
and the announcement that Turkey
has recalled them is interpreted as an
act Of provocation rather than protest.
The special correspondent of The
Times who arrived at Larissa yester-
day says it was only with the utmost
difficulty that he could find lodgings,
as the small town is filled to overflow
Ing with $4,000 soldiers, and 4,50O more
are expected at any moment. They
are all keen for war, and willing to do
any thing they are told to do by their
officers, but they are lacking in disci-
plne and equipment. The officers
make the best impression, most of them
being men of fine physique, intelligent
faces and smart appearance. The
general in command says that fire.
quently serious difficulties arise on the
frontier between his troops and the
Turks in consequence of the absence of
q neutral zone.
The Times Canea correspondent
comments upon the injustice of starv-
ing the insurgents in order to bring the
necessary pressure to bear upon the
Greek troops in the island. The block
ade, says The Times correspondent, is
useless for the latter object, because,
while innocent women and children
suffer misery, the soldiers will be cer-
tain to secure food. Fighting like that
which has been going on at Malaxa
will continue as long as Mohamme-
dams are permitted to land provisions
and the Christians are prevented from
doing so.
Roughly speaking, the following Is
the relative strength of the two great
camps at Elassona and Larissa, though
II Is difficult to obtain anything like
the exact figures:
The Turks have 10000 troops and 150
guns, the Greeks almost 10000 troops,
but fewer guns than the Turks. The
Greeks are sadly deficient In cavalry,
while the Turks have 10000 well
mounted troopers who are likely to be
fully match for the superior infantry