BRITISH POLICY IN CRETE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 76, 2 April 1897, Page 3

BRITISH POLICY IN CRETE.

London, March 31. The Government have received an enormous number Of communications from meetings and public bodies at which resolutions were carried supporting their foreign policy.

Canea, Crete, February 26. In one respect the interposition of the Powers has had a bad effect:, in that ib has led the Moslems to believe thab Europe ia back of them in their combab with the Christians. Aa a result, there are this •fbernoon 8,000 Moslem fighting men, besides the Turkish soldiers, all heavily armed, parading the streets of the city, and demanding the blood of the Christian dogß who havo dared to question the rights of the Turks to rule them. The' combined forces that have been landed by the several Powers number only 800 men, and it is believed that without the aid of the warships they would prove of no avail in preserving ordar in the city. The popular passion has beon added to ■by Ishtnael Pasha, the acting Governor, who has circulated falso abories to the effect thab the Greek troops are mutilaiing Moslem children. Tho Governor knows these stores are untrue, and apparently hie only object is to create among the Moslems deeper hatred of the Chrutians, and to further excite tho desire tor revenge. He is carrying matters with a high hand, and ib is likely thab the Powers will have to intervene.

Accompanied by an armed body of Turks he left) -Candia today and occupied strategic positions in the vicinity, from which he attacked tho Christians, causing serious losses to them. The commanders, of tho warships remuining in the harbour proteited to tho Governor atrainst his breaking the armistice, but the protect was unheeded.* The admirals commanding the foreign fleets have been notified of Ishmael's action, and there is much speculation as to the couree they will pursue.