THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9735, 25 May 1897, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

CRETE ABANDONED BY THE GBEEKS.

THE ADMIBALS FIBED UPON BY INSUBGENTS.

THE GBEEK ABMY PENNED IN.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Athens, May 23. A mob at Arta threatened to murder Colonel Manos. An Englishman I addressed the crowd upon the injustice !of their proposed action, whereupon the excited throng dispersed. The American Volunteers landed at Athena numbered 500. Colonel Staikos and the remainder of the Greek forces have left Crete. ■ Despite the armistice the Turks have fortified several strategic positions near Lamia. The Greek Government has entered a protest. The insurgents in the vicinity of Forfc Izzed, in Crete, fired upon Admiral Harris, the English Admiral, and Admiral Pottier, the French Admiral. Both took refuge in the fort, which was recently occupied by a body of marines from the Austrian Tvj.i'jhips. The insurgents also attacked five other British officers, and stole the arms belonging to on 9 ; a Turkish force rescued the others. The Admirals have issued an ultimatum the immediate reinrn of the officer's arms, otbviwise tfcey will take action. May 24. Bands of Greek irregulars are plundering the country in all directions. A body of Italian Socialist Volunteers at Arta resisted the attempts of the authorities to disarm them, and a severe conflict ensued, in which several were killed. The Italians were eventually overcome and re-shipped to Brindisi. M. Balli is suspected of fomenting the dynastic agitation against the Boyal family. The position occupied by the Turks after the retreat of the Greeks from Domoko commands easy access to Levadia, an important town thirty-six miles from Corinth, and thence to Athens. - The Greek army is hemmed in the pass of Thermopylae and completely paralysed. A neutral zone, covering 800 metres, has been arranged between the two armies. Paris, May 24. In the Chamber of Deputies M. Hanotaux stated he was confident Turkey would prove obedient to the demands of the Powers, and renounce her excessive pretensions in regard to her claims upon Greece.