CRETE.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2131, 2 March 1897, Page 2

CRETE.

The Powers unanimously decided to grant Crete an extensive scheme of autonomy and transform it to the privilege of a province. While under« taking these reforms some connecting link with 'Turkey will be retained. The Powers will also order the Turkish troops and administration to be withdrawn from the island as early as

possible, whilj Greece also will be summarily ordered to. evacuate the positions taken up there. In the event of the latter country's refusal coercion will be used, and ultimately a blockade resorted to*— The Times considers the affair as a great diplomatic success. The representatives ot the Powers have earned the gratitude of all tho?e who love peace.—The Standard pnbliahes a statement tbat Greece is pr«pnrßd for Cretan autonomy, and proposes to . persevere with the policy enunciated by King George.— The Governor's Palace at Oanpa was destroyed by fire, evidently the work of an incendiary. The Governor's Bafe, containing £7000, fell into the fin* from an upper storey. lhe Marines formed a cordon round the debris to prevent the mob from plundering, an action which nearly caused a riot. Tbe Admirals of the combined fleets, being unable to spare Maiiues, could not comply with the request from Selino7 The two leading papers in Athens which have the most influence advocate submission to the Powers, wbile the attitude of the other journals is of a bel icose nature. Tbey urge tbe Government to declare war with Turkey, and advance into Macedonia, Mr Gladstone, in a letter dealing with the proposals to sett'e the Cretan difficulty, accuses the Powers of filling up the measure of their own dishonour. All the Cretan archives and land titles were destroyed in tbe palace .fire. The Powers are ordering supplies of Whitehead torpedoes in quantities. In the House of Lords the Marquis of Salisbury announced the decision of the Powers with regard to Crete. He believed that the allied Powers had agreed upon a policy of administrative autonomy with the necess-iry condition that the occupation by Greece should cease, and that Crete should remain as a portion of Turkey. If Turkey and Greece refused to withdraw from the island when required to do so, the Powers would enforce their decision. Turkey would withdraw from Crete when autonomy was formed, except that she would retain an indication of sovereignty over the island, similar to Samos. The Greek troops would withdraw at an earlier date than the Turkish The Athens correspondent of the Standard states that there is an indication that if Greece withdraws from the position taken up, such action will endanger the Greek throne. The Athens correspondent of the limes wires tbat M. Delyannis, the Premier, and the King refuse to give a promise to withdraw from Crete. Tbe Greek populace continue furious. The combined flaefcs will blockade the entire Cretan coast, and arc prepared to seize all provision ships. The Turkish Government continue preparations unceasingly on the Greek frontier. The European Powers are satisfied with the. solution of the Cretan difficulty. The King of Greece is profoundly amassed at the attitude of the Powers with regard to Crate. The Greek Government has palled oo.t the] reserves, ''