Turkey awl Greece.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8616, 22 March 1897, Page 2

Turkey awl Greece.

THE BLOOKADE OF CUE lE,

(Per Press Associatioh.)

London, March 20 A letter written by Mr Gladstone iv the Western Gazette dealing with the situation in south-eastern Europe has been printed in pamphlet form. Mr Gladstone attacks the European concert for its disregard of Armenia, and says that Britaiu is tied to the apron strings of the young Emperors, who lack experience. It is time she shook off the incubus aud took measures to prevent the punishment of Greece. The Government is agitated at the heckling of Sir W. V. Harcourt and Mr Morley over the question of the coercion of Greece. 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. Lateu. Lord Salisbury contends that Greece had no shred of right to Crete under international law. Federated action on the part of Europe was the only hope of peace. Dealing with Mr Gladstone's attack, he said it would he difficult to maintain a concert of the Powers. If irresponsible statesmen, influenced by politics, rhapsodical and classical im pulses flung insults at the principal rulers of the present Government, who would maintain inviolate the integrity of Turkey without obtained European authority. Athens, March 20. The admirals of the foreign fleets have appealed to all in Crete to submit and co-operate in bringing about a new era in the Island. The Powers, they say, guarantee liberty and security, free from internal control by Turkey. Serious fighting has taken place between the Moslems and Cretan insurgents at Retimo and Heraklion. The British and French warships fired oil the Cretans to prevent an attack on Sitia. The troops of the Powers are engaged in the blockade of Crete. It has been decided that the French will occupy Sitia and Spinalonga, the British Heraklion, tlie Germans Ketiino, Suda Bay and Canea. The French consol protested against the British exclusively occupying Heraklion. The Greek Government is recalling the remaining warships from Cretan waters. The force under the command of Colonel Vassos in Crete consists of three thousand regular soldiers, five hundred volunteers, aud seventeen thousand insurgents. An interview took place between the admirals of foreign fleets and the leading Cretan insurgents, in which the latter defiantly insisted in the annexation by Greece. The Turks are fortifying the Gulf of Arta on the northern frontier. Greece has protested that this action constitutes a violation of the Treaty of

Sofia, March 20. BULGARIA ARMING. Bulgaria is ordering a large quantity of cannon.