The Cretan Difficulty.

Manawatu Herald, 25 February 1897, Page 2

The Cretan Difficulty.

The Cretan Christians ate continuing |the skirmishes wSsi the Moslems outside Cane*. > The combined fleets . jn_ Oxatan.' •waterfiif^^ipcibarded ~th« injure gente' damp. King. George of Greece has despatched a message to the Powers in which he states that bis patience has been exhausted. The formation of a mixed gendarmerie in Crete is the. only reform granted by the Sultan. It is, be says, useless, and has caused the. Moslem rising. The King has given precise orders to the Greek army to continue to occupy the country, and has decided to annex the island. The Porte professes to have asked the united advice of the Powers', which is at present conflicting, and says it is awaiting their decision. The allied fleets bombarded the insurgents' camp for 25 minutes, throwing 70 shells. The Greek regular forces were not engaged, and no bloodshed resulted. The German cruiser Kaiserin Augusta fired shells charged with melinite. Nine French and Bussian warships have reinforced the fleet off Canea. Thirty thousand citizens assembled in front of the Royal Palace and cheered the King. Great excitement prevailed. Colonel Vassos reports that Fort Vouroulies, which he has already been mentioned as capturing, was blown up by dynamite when the Moslem garrison of Canea marched against the Christians. The allied fleets fired 30 shells amongst the insurgents at Phrudia, and did some havoc in the Christian quarter. - During the bombardment at Canea a Greek, warship received a shot from an 18 pounder. The Christians at Cadano, ignoring the white flag, fired on ' the British, Bussian and Italian Consulates. v The Turkish Christian forces massacred all the prisoners who fell into their hands. * The Berlin correspondent of the Timet Bay ß- there is ground for believing that the Powers intend to resort to strong measures of repression in the event of the Greeks renewing the fighting in Crete. A portion of the British Naval Reserve is being mobilised. In the House of Commons, the Opposition protested against British ships taking part in the recent bombardment of Crete. Sir William Haroourt stated that the separation of Crete was the only policy worthy of Britain to pursue.