THE STATE OF CRETE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 276, 20 March 1897, Page 3

THE STATE OF CRETE.

BLOCKADE OF CRETE POSTPONED. A GREEK BOAT SUNK. COLONEL YASSOS FORTIFYING SPIIAKIA. AN APPEAL BY THE POWERS. MOSLEMS AND CHRISTIANS 'FIGHTING. BICKERINGS IN TIIE COMMONS. MR (i-LADSTONE'S LETTER. (/Vr IV'-n.v Axxortatioii—('ojufi-iaht). Athens, March IK. The blockade of Crete has been postponed until Sunday, with a view to encouraging prospects of the maintenance of peace. An Austrian cruiser sank a Greek boat containing provisions and munitions of war for Ileraklion. Colonel Yassos is collecting a great quantity of stores at Sphakia, where he has "been ordered to form entrenchments. March 19. The Admiral of the foreign Meets have appealed to all in Crete to submit and co-operate in bringing about a new era in the islands. The Powers, they say, guarantee liberty and security free from internal control bv Turkey. Serious fighting has taken place between the Moslems and the Cretan insurgents at Eatimo and Ileraklion. The British and French warships tired on the Cretans to prevent an attack on Sitia. Loxnox, March 19. Government are agitated at the heckling by Sir V. Ilarcourt and Mr Morley over the question of the coercion of Greece. The Hon. Mr Balfour challenged the Opposition to bring forward a motion of censure against the Government. Mr Morley said the Opposition was awaiting the developments of the policy of the Government. A letter wiiteu by Mr Gladstone in the Western Gazette dealing with the situation in south-eastern Europe, has been published in pamphlet form. Mr Gladstone attacks the European concert in its disregard to Armenia, and says that Great Britian is tied to the apron strings of young Emperors, who lack experience. It is time she shook oll" the incubus, and took measures to prevent the punishment of Greece.