THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 19

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

THE PORTE PROMISES REFORMS. THE POSITION IN CRETE. London, May 31. Admiral Hariis, reporting upon the position of Crete, states that the Greek emissaries form the chief obstacle against the restoration of peace and good government ; in the island. j June 1. j The Powers have arranged that tho j armistice between Turkey and Greece shall be for 15 days dating irom May 20. Greece hopes that the Powers will guarantee a loan for the immediate payment of the war indemnity. June 3. The Times says that the Christians in the? eastern and central districts of Crete are willing to accept antonomy. In the House of Commons Mr Balfour stated that he did not expect order restored in Crete until a Governor was appointed and an efficient gendarmerie established. Constantinople, Jane 2. "" The Porte has agreed to prolong the armistice for a fortnight. June 3. At the request of the embassies the Porte lias agreed to continue the armistice while peace negotiations are going on. The Salt an has thanked the Egyptians Vfho contributed to the war fund. The foreign ambassadors and Tewfik Pasha, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will meet to discuss the termß of peace before submitting them, to Greece. June 4. In connection with the 'settlement of the terms of peace between Turkey and Greece the foreign embassies have arranged for separata consideration of the concessions demanded by Turkey. M. Nelidoff, the Bassian Ambassador, will draw up the report upon the proposed rectification of the Theesalian frontier; M. Cambon, the French Ambassador, upon the question of the abolition of capitulations ; and Mr Currie, the English Ambassador, with reference to the amount of the indemnity. A meeting will be held on Saturday, at which the reports will be discussed. June 6. The British, French, and Italian Ambassadors are opposed to the retrocession of Thessaly to Turkey. June 7. The Sultan has offered to pardon the members of the Young Turkish party and at a later date grant the reforms demanded by them if they assist the Turkish Government in the present crises. On the strength of these promises the Young Turkeyites have deoided to suspend hostilities against the Government. The Porfce has put forward claims in support of the retrocession of Thessaly to Turkey on the ground that Greece has acted unfairly to the Moslems resident there and has failed to suppress brigandage. Athens, May 31. A hundred thousand Christian fugitives in Thessaly are reported to be without bread and starring. June 1. The Athene correspondent of The Times states that the majority of the Cretan leaders are inclined to accept a Constitution under the proposed plan of autonomy. Ie is believed that if the Powers act promptly and firmly a. solution of the diffiCHlty will be easier than is generally supposed. Jane 2. The Times states that the security of the position in Crete is increasing. It expresses a fear that an attempt at a general disarmament of the insurgents will result in armed opposition. The same journal states that the Bulgarian Government are trying to induce the Sultan to grant autonomy to Macedonia under an Imperial prince. June 3. i3adji Michali, chief of the Cretan insurgents, is convening the Assembly. He proposes the formation of a communal police force in Crete. June 4. The Macedonian peasants are flocking into Tbessalian territory held by the Turks, ffwenty thousand have already arrived, and have taken possession of the deserted Greek Villages. The numbers are increasing daily. The King and Duke of Sparta have renounced part of the civil list. Terrible distress exists amongst the Greek fugitives in Thessaly and ■ Epirns, and they are compelled to subsist on grass and other herbs. Many are in a state of nakedneis.

June 6. Greece has raised ths blockade of Turkish ports. Turkey is sending judgss, ta&chers, and other officials to Thessaly, and Turkish generals in Greece are importing their harems. Pabis, June 3. France has placed a proposal before the Powers in favour of arranging a Cretan loan for the establishment of a foreign gendarmerie and the selection of a Governor for Crete. It is understood that Great Britain and Kassia favour theßß proposals.