New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-05

salonica correspondent says he learns that the
Turkish government has ordered out about forty
thousand redifs in the territory of the Second
Army Corps at Smyrna, and has contracted
with three steamship companies for the trans
port of troops and munitions of war He says
great excitement prevails everywhere
Constantinople Aug 4-Greece has replied TO
the Turkish note presented to-day, which, al
though couched in friendly terms, practically
demands the recall of the Greek officers serving
in Crete. Greece maintains that the question Is
in the hands of the four protecting powers of
Crete with whose knowledge and consent the
officers in question were sent to the island.
Turkey is appealing to the four powers. and in
Inmates that her friendly request to Greece will
be followed. unless satisfaction is obtained by a
more energetic demand.
The report that Turkey has sent transports
with troops on board to Crete is denied to-day
but II seems probable that the Turkish fleet now
mannuvring in the neighborhood of Rhodes will
go to Cretan waters. In this case the British
admiral. Sir Douglas Gamble. in command of
the fleet. would hand over his charge to a Turk
ish admiral
The present Cretan trouble after over a year of
fomenting. became acute on July q when the
Greek flag hoisted over the fortress OF Canea
This was the day after final evacuation by the
Island
oughly Greek In its traditions after being banded
about from one power TO another through all it's
early history became in 17l5 part of the Ottoman
Empire. Through the nineteenth century Crete
was In almost constant insurrecton. Then in 1891
Greece interviewed. and In short decisive war was
routed by Abdul Hamid and the hold Of the Turk
on Crete secured more nrmly than ever.
But here the powers-Cireat Britain. Russia
france and Italy-took a hand. In 1Ses they con-
stituted the island, with It's adjacent islets an
autonomous state under high commissioner. sub
ject 10 the suzerainty OF Turkey. but paying TO
tribute 10 that country. Since August a. 1906. the
right Of the King Of Greece TO nominate the High
Commissioner has been recognized by the four pow
ers Under their sanction. Greek officers have
taken over the direction OF the gendarmere and
militia. In May Of last year the powers decided
gradually 70 withdraw their troops. When this
was announced Crete declared for union with
Greece, and the island has been in state OF ex-
citenent ever since
Early last month the diplomatic representatives
of the powers at Consta ntinople presented note
the Porte. in which they said the time was mop
portune for the discussion of Turkish proposals
relative to the future OF the island each Of
the protecting powers would station a warship in
suds Bay the supreme rights OF Turkey would not
be Affected
The arrangement however has not proved salts
factory 20 any one concerned The tags OF Turkey
and the four powers in evidence nowhere except
on an uninhabited island in suda Bay. The ''su-
prsns rights of the Sultan are In reality merely
theoretical. He receives from Crete tribute
Even the postage stamps are Greek. The Cretan
flag displays the blue and white OF Greece The
Greek legal code Is IN force. and the Governor OF
the island Is former Prime Minister OF Greece.
And Greece and Crete likewise are dissatisfied
holding that they should be Joined in government
as they in history. language and religion.
Hence with the departure OF the last OF the in
ternstional forces Greece her opportunity 20
the disposition of the powers by asserting full
authority the island on the other hand. Tur-
key feels that her success now in maintaining her
rights In Crete will determine the amount of respect
the powers will accord To the new government.
II announced last month in a dispatch TO The
Tribune from Paris that the powers would not in
terfere further I'm Cretan affairs but would leave
Turkey and Greece % Fight u out