THE CRETAN QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 19

THE CRETAN QUESTION

*• m LONDON, August 17. The Cretan Administration Committee took an oath of allegiance to King George of Greece before a bishop. The official gazette of Canea has ■ published a- consular note intimating the ■ decision of the Powers concerning the removal of the Greek flag from the fortress. August 18. The Powers have notified the Cretan Government that the Greek nag will b< removed from the fort at Canea to-day The Government has appealed to tha people not to obstruct the action of the Powers. An international landing party removed t the Greek flag from Canea without incident. August 20. Greece's reply to the Porte is conciliatory It promises that Greece will entirely conform to the decisions of the protecting Powers and abstain from encouraging any eventual agitation in Crete. Some mutinous Militiamen hoisted the Greek flag on the fort at the! entrance to Candia Harbour, and threatened to • shoot the Greek offioers objecting, bufe later on they were persuaded to -return to their barracks. Subsequently, at . th.c Cretan ' Government's instance, and in - order, to prevent" international occupation, . the Governor lowered the flag unopposed. August 21 Thft Powers in a fresh note to Turkey, ' express regret that the latter has not leftthe settlement of the Cretan crisis in the hands of the protecting Powers, who have shown every disposition to regard Turkish interests. The note suggests, regarding complaints of Greek activity 'in Macedonia, that the best course to adopt is to submit any grievance to the Powers signatory to the treaty. It is stated that the Porte has "been warned that in tha j event of war the Powers would guarantee Greece's territorial integrity. Greece's reply to Turkey" is regarded a€ Constantinople as distinctly satisfactory, and public opinion nas been reassured. August 23. The Porte, in acquiescing with the Powers' views, refrains from direct communication with Greece regarding Crete, • and accepts tbe last Greek note as satisfactory. - / The Porte, in Teply to the Powers, explains her reasons for recently communicating directly with Greece. CONSTANTINOPLE, August 17. The Ambassadors have presented th< - Porte with a collective note intimating that the Powers have decided to suppress the International Financial Commission in Macedonia. ' The Porte received the, communication, with great satisfaction. The members- of the commission will enter Turkey's service for the reorganisation of the Empire's general finances. 4 Tlie note is considered significant at the present juncture, when the Powers are striving to prevent a disturbance in tha Near East. August 18, There has been a boycott of Greek goods in Smyrna and some other centres. The Ambassadors are anxious regarding the Turko-Greek relations.