THE CRETAN QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 27

THE CRETAN QUESTION

- — ♦ LONDON, August 9. The Cretan question is becoming acute. The Porte is demanding specific assurances from Greece. August 10. The Powers have urged the Cretans not to hoisfc their flag on Canea fort, and 1 the flag has been lowered. The Powers have counselled the Porte to show moderation. Greece's reply to Turkey is couched in reassuring and friendly terms. August 12. The Cretan Government has, advised a meeting of members of the Assembly and j other public men that it would be well ! to follow the recommendations of the Powers, including the permanent removal of the Greek flag from the Canea fort. The leaders of the insurrection in 1896 and 1897, representing the bulk of the provincial population, strongly opposed , tho Government's views. i The Times' Canea correspondent reports that the Powers' intimation that unless the Greek flag were •'lowered the island would be reoccupied has produced great irritation among the Cretans, who declare ! that they will all perish leather than lower \ the flag, which has been nailed to the I mast on Canea fort. August 15. •The Cretan Government has intimated , its intention to resign, owing to the j failure of its efforts in seeking to induce the authorities to lower the Greek flag on tlie Canea fortress. . More warships have been ordered to Crete, and they will remove the flag unless the Cretans meantime remove it. The Greek newspapers unanimously urge the Cretans to -respect the wishes of the Powers. August 16. The Greek officers commanding the Cretan Militia were recently hooted and eipelled from their quarters when they endeavoured to prevent the hoisting of the Greek army flag. The mutiny which was instigated by revolutionary leaders is spreading to other poets. The protecting Powers threaten to reoccupy the island. CONSTANTINOPLE, August 13. Turkey ; demands from Greece a more explicit declaration regarding" the Cretan •position. Crete has intimated her decision to yield to the wishes of the Powers on the flag question, but asks for a short delay in view of the local excitement.