THE CRETAN CRISIS.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 110, 23 March 1897, Page 2

THE CRETAN CRISIS.

INSURGENTS INSIST ON ANNEXATION BY GREECE. FOREIGN TROOPS LANDED. INFLAMMATORY LETTER BY GLADSTONE. TURKS FORTIFYING GULF OF ARI'A. BULGARIA ARMING. Athens, March 19. The admirals of the foreign fleets have appealed to all classes in Crete to submit and co-operate in bringing about a new era in the island. The Powers, they say, will guarantee them liberty and security, free from internal control by Turkey. Serious fighting has taken place between the Moslems and Cretan insurgents at Retino and Heraklion. The British and French warships fired on the Cretans to prevent an attack on Sitia. The troops of the Powers engaged in the blockade of Crete have been divided, the French occupying Sitia aud Spinalouga, the British Heraklion, Russia Retino, and the Germans feunda Bay and Canea. March 20. An interview took place between the admirals of the foreign fleets and the leading Cretan insurgents. The latter defiantly insisted on annexation by Greece. The French colony 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 two thousand regular soldiers," Ave hundred volunteers, aud seveuteen thousand insurgents. The Turks are fortifying the Gulf of Arta, on the Northern frontier of Greece. Greece has protested that this action constitutes a violation of the Treaty of Berlin. London, March 19. The Government is agitated at the heckling of Sir W. 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 Avas awaiting the development of the policy of the Government. A letter written by Mr Gladstone in the Westminster Gazette, dealing with the situation in South-Eastern Europe, has been published in pamphlet form. Mr Gladstone attacks the European concert for its disregard of Armenia, and says Britain is tied to the apron strings of young Emperors who lack experience. It is time, he adds, that she shook off that incubus, and took measures to prevent the punishment of Greece. March 20. Lord Salisbury, referring to the speeches delivered by Sir W. Harcourt and Lord Kimberley, at Norwich, said that to refuse to maintain the integrity of Turkey would be to disregard the basis of the policy of Europe, and would be a heavy blow to Great Britain's influence. Greece, he declared, had no shred of right to. Crete under international law. Federal action on the part of Europe was, he said, the only hope of peace. Dealing with Mr Gladstone's attacks, he said it would be difficult to maintain the concert of the Powers if irresponsible statesmen, influenced by poetical, rhapsodical, and classical impulses, flung insults at the principal uilers. The present Government would maintain inviolate the integrity of Turkey.