The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 19, 1897, Page 1

4 VOLUME LXXXIL_NO., 109, OREIGN TROOPS 10 BE LAND Powers Getting Ready for the Coercion of Brave Greece. ADMIRALS ARRANGE THE BLOCKADE. Aiter Sunday No Vessels Will Be Ailowed to Enter With- b out Permission PHILOSOPHICALLY THE GREEKS PREPARE FOR WAR, hey Do Not Believe That Autonomy | The Twin Warships Wheeling and M Can Be Sustained in the Island of Crete CA NEA, Crere, March 18.—The ad- mirals commanding the fleets of the powers here have cabled to the representa- tives of their respective governments in Constantinople that the blockade of the island would begin on Sunday. War- ships will make a cruise around the d delivering to theinbabitants of the ief ports prociamations declaring that e powers intend to estabiish autonomy island and the blockade will begin se-day specified. It has been decided that the foreign roops who are to be landed to carry out e purpsses of the powers shall be lo- ated at different places. The French ops will be placed at Sitia and Spina- a. the British at Candia, the Russian t Retimo and the German at Suda Bay und Canea. It bas not been stated where the Austrian and Italian forces shall be The proclamation issued by foreign ad- rals announcing the conditions under h autonomy will be granted to Crets e the workings of complete auionomy perfect lib- ty of property . G March e to-day M. Skouzes, Minister of For- 1 Aftairs, announced that the foreign Creian waters had issued a stat begir Crete wouls at 8 o'clock on the s the adoption of maasures to reg- | toeveryone, | | Austrians Resented ! 18.—In the | 1g thata blockade of | arietta as They Slipped Into The’r Element From the Ways at the Union Ir PRICE FIVE CENTS. ll il ] == on Works Yesterday Morning. | tempered by the information that the crew of the vessel escaped. The newspapers voice the opinion of the public when they denounce the action of the warship as a crime against civiliza- | tion by the nations who claim to lead the | world in humanity. The bitterest denun- | ciation is heard on every hand of all who had to do with the sinking of the vessel. | - LONDON, Exc., March 18.—The St James Gazette asserts that the blockade | of the coasis of Crete by theé warships of the powers will begin next Sunday morn- ing, and that the foreign admigals bave requested Greece to withdraw bher war- | ships from Cretan waters before that time, | otherwise force would be employed to | compel her to do so. | TOULON, Fraxce, March 18.—The | French transport sbip Auvergne, having | on board troops, arms, stores, etr., des- | tined for Canea, Crete, is agronnd, and it | has been necessary to land the men and | stores in order to float ber. | ROME, Itavy, Merch 18.—The Italian | warship Eridano, with 600 troops on board, will start for Crete to-morrow. g s | SUNK 4 GKELK SCHOONER, the Firing Upon TIheir Flag. VIENNA, Avsteis, March 18—The | Government has received advices that the | Austrian gunboat Sebenico has sunk a | Greek schooner with a cargo of munitions of war and a number of Cretan insurgents 1 on board. The Sebenico, under the orders of the guns on shore and no one was hurt. Accounts differ as to whether the schooner fired or not, buf a majority of them con. cur in stating that she did. At any rate the Sebenico quickly trained her guns on the insurgents ashore and very quickly silenced their fire. At the same time other of her guns were fired at the schooner, which sank sktortly there- after. The Austrians are filled with the great- est resentment at what they term the in- solence ot the Greeks in daring to fire upon the Austrian flag. Four more of the crew of the Russian turret-ship Sisoi Veliky, who were injured by the explosion of one of the great guns of the ,ship near Suda Bay on Monday, have succumbed to their injuries. This makes the total number of deaths thus far caused by the explosion twenty-five. The British warship Barfleur bas sailed hence for Kissamo, some twenty - five miles to the westward. It is supposed that she has been ordered there for the purpose of embarking the Turkish garri- son, numbering 300 men, who have been besiezed by the insurgents for several aays. Itisstated that the Torxish posi- tion at Kissamo is surrounded by 5000 rebels. —_——— NORKMAN AT THE FRONT. Says the Gracks Ave Willing to Die for Thely Cowntrw. LONDON, Ex., March 18.—The Chron- icle will to-morrow state that i's special refuse to accept cipher messages from the Greek Consuls for transmission. CANEA, Cgere, March 18 — Sharp fighting occurred yesterday and to-day between tne Turks and insurgenis outside of Retimo. Yesterday five men were killed ana eleven wounded and to-day five men were killed. A DAVID FACE> ~IX GOLIATHS. England’s Grand Ola Mam Speaks of Greecn and ihe Powers, LONDON, Ene., March 18.—Under the title “The Easterni Crisis’”’ ‘a sixteen-page pamphlet by Mr. Gladstone will be issued to-morrow. The pamp letis in the form of a letter from Mr. Gladstone, addressed {o the Duke of Westminater, in whaich the ex-Premier proceeds to say “Events in crowds have been occurring in the east at short intervals forthe past two years of such a nate to stir our common humanity to its innermost rec- cesses and to lodge an appeal from official to personal confidence. Until the most recent days these transactiot's have seemed to dwaken no ecbo save i, Englsnd, but now light bas figsked Yuoi Europe; and an sasy congiiess. nations &s well as cabinets ‘are ed has taken a strong hola upon the public mind. Later massacres in Armenia have occurred upon & scale of intensity and in- adversity of their wickedness beyond all modern if not all historical experience. All this has been done under tho eyes of the six great powers, who are represented D LN X \ NG WL KISSAMO KASTELL], in Northwest Crete, Now Besieged and Surrounded by the Christian Insurgents. morning of March 21—Sunday next. ter that time no Greek vessels would be owed to enter the ports of the island, d the vessels of other naions des T4 first obtain permission from lenter must the admirals. The announcement was received calmly. Tie Chamber and the people generally are resigned to this action on the part of the rowers, believing that the attempted im- | position of sutonomy on the Cretans will prove futile and that the island will ulti- mately fall to Greece. A number of prominent Cretans, who are now in Atheps, state that their prop- eriy has been destroyed by Moslems and that they will never refurn to the island. They could never have the slightest confi- dence in the novel resime that is proposed by the powers, and belicve that an autono- mous Government imposed -by . force of arms would never be seli-sustained and that the end of it would ie worse than the first. The Greek troops in- the island are in a position, 8o far as supplies are con- cerned, to hold out for an indefinite period notwithstanding & blockade. As soon as the Greek Government learned that it was the intention of the | powers to blockade the island large quan- lities of provisions, munitions of war, medicines and all supplies necessary for an army in the field were hurried forward. During the past week great quantities of hese supplies have been successfully transferred to the troops. Gr-ek sailors, than woom there are no ter ulong the snores of the Mediterra- , are confident that the biockade will ot prove effeciive against their superior knowledee of the coasts of Crete. They claim that they can and will easily run the blockade and lana whatever cargoes they carry. The news of the sinking of a Greek + schooner by an Austrian warship in _ Cretan waters caused the greatest excite- ment and indignatior: here, which was not ) of the British admiral commanding the | British equadron in Cretan waters, was patroling off Cape Dia, Crete, when the schoener hove in sight. The schooner was hailed by the ganboat apd the insurgents on bozrd in reply opened fire upon the Sebenico, whereupon the latter turned ber guns on the schooner and sank her. The crew of the schooner swam ashore. None of the crew was in- | jured. LONDON, Exc., March 18.—A dispatch | from Rome, which the Daily News will publish to-morrow, states that Greece wiil | proiest against the firing upon and sink- 1ng of the schooner. She will claim that the action of the ! Austrian warship was arbitrary, the place where she sank the schooner not being di- rectly under the protection of the powers, and will also protest that the warship was not warranted in firing upon the vessel, as there was no blockade established at | the time. Tie dispatch adds that the incidentls regarded in Rome as being significant, in- asmuch as it is consider.d proof that the concert of the powers is perfect. This had the effect of causing a rise in prices at the bourse. It is reported that the insurgents refuse to accept autonomy and demand that Crete be annexed by Greece, CANEA, Crere, March 18.—It islearned here that the schooner sunk by the Aus. trisn warship Sebenico was landing stores when she was approached by the warship. The latter sent boats to iniercept the schooner’s boats and forbid them to ap- proach nearer to the shore. There werea Jarge number of insurgents about the place where the schooner intended to land her cargo, and when they:saw the boats from the warship they divined what their intention was and poured a lively fusil- | non. The boats, however, were out of range 1ade in their direction with rifies and can-’ commissioner, Henry Norman, bhas re- turned to Athens from Thessaly. He re- cords that the Greek officers in command of the troops on the frontier are calmly determined, They bave no optimistic illusions re- garding the Turkish forces which may at any moment be pitted against them. They fully reahze that if it comes to war the forces of Crete may suff-r defeat. They do not display the slightest sign of bravado, but are prepared to sacrifice their lives at the behest of their country. Hitherto, Norman says , the feeling of the Greeks toward the powers has been that of surprise and pain that they should attempt to defeat the aspirations of Greece, but is now one of bitter resent- ment and anger. He adviges the German cruiser Kaiserin Augusta to avoid the vicinity of the Greek fleet in the event of hostilities occurring, which, he says, a blockade of the Greek poris will certainly precipitate. A Turkish torpedo-boat and a torpedo- boat destroyer, which are believ d to be officered by Germans, are off one of the northern islands of Greece. A Greek fleet is watching them, and 1f events warrant their capture the German officers will re- ceive short shrift. Mr. Norman asserts that the Greek and Turkish armies on the frontier are nearly a slight advantage in infantry, but the Turks have a material advantage in artillery, though they are lacking in horses. Some of their guns are drawn by oxen. The Athens correspondent of the Tele- graph says that the blockade of Crete began yesterday. All the torpedo: boats attached ‘to -the fleet are watched. The Greeks are cléver blockade .runners, and it is possible that they will continue to land provisions, etc., especially in rough weather. } at the Porte by Embassadors, and through their feeble verbiage a sufficient counter- poise to instruments of death, shame and torture, provided that in framing it they all chimed in with one another.” The letter then goes on to review the Eastern question since 1876. Mr. Glad- stone recails the fact that bis Ministry in 1880 organized a European concert to pro- cure the fulfiliment of the treaty of 1878 in regard 1o. Montenegro and Greece. The forees, of moral support had been ex- hausted and a squadron of warships of the six powers had been assembied on the Montenegrin or Alsatian coast. It was sodn found that several powers in *'a con- cert of Europe’’ meant toy demonstra- tions which were not intended to pass for reality. “We did not waste any time to galvan- ize the corpse into life,” Mr. Gladstone continued, “'but framed a plan for the seizure of an important port of the Sul- tan’s dominions. We found as our prin- cipal support the wise and brave Alexan- der 11 who then reigned in Russia. The effect was perfect. There was no war in Kurope, though this doubtless have been used had our pro- ceedings passed beyond privacy. plan became known to tue Sultan, and without a single difficulty Montenegro obtained considerable extension and Thes- saly was added to Greece later. It was time to speak with freedom. At this mo- ment two great states with a European population of 150,000,000 are under the government of two young men, each bear- ing the title of Emperor, but who in one case is wholly without knowledge and ex- per.ence, in ! truth limited enough as to have excited much astonishment and some constérnation when- an inkling of them has been given to the world. In tne ‘concert of the powers, these poweérs fight steadily against - freedom, but why. is our Government pinned:to theiraprons?’’ Telegraph offices at Retimo and Candis Mr. Gladstone then reviews the history Our bugbear would \ of Greece and Crete and says: “We have | censuring the opposition members, whb before us a David facing six Goliaths.” He argues that Ottoman rule in Crete is a thing of yesterday, but Crete was a part of Greece and Cretan people were part Greek people 3000 vears ago. “Nor have their moral and human ties ever broken or relaxed,” he said, “and years and cen- | turies will come when this bad dream of Ottoman dominion has passed from Europe that ‘the union will still subsist. “Greece by her bold action,” Mr. Glad- stone continues, “has couferred a great service upon Europe. She has made it impossible to palter over this question as we paitered in Armenia. The unions of the nations are in various stages of their training, but I do not believe it is the Kuropean people whose judgment will tolerate the punishment of Greece for good deeds she recently performed. Cer- tainly it would not be the French, who so Isrgely contribute to the kingdom, nor will it be Italians, who are so mindful of what their fathers have undergone, and least of all the English, who, if the road were open to them by the dissolution of Parliament, would show how they are minded by turiing up 3 Pariiament waich upon this question would speak with unanimity.” ARGUED BY COMMONERS. Britésh Statesmen Seek Information Relating to the Blockade. LONDON, Exc., March 18.—In the House of Commons to-day Sir Charles Dilke, Liberal, asked whether a biockade of the ports of Crete had been declared by the powers, and whether Germany had declined to employ her forces in the in- terior of the island. John Morley, Liberal, asked whether Greece had been invited to accede to the terms of the identical note of the powers before the blockade of the ports of Crete was instituted. A. J. Balfour, First Lord of the Treas- ury, reported that the British Minister at Athens, E. H. Egretan, had been notified to notify the Government of Greece that a blockade of Cretan ports would be insti- tuted. In reply to Sir Charles Dilke's other question, Balfour said he had no informa- tion that Germnay had declined to send troops to Crete. Germany thoroughly agreed with the policy of the powers. Mr. Morley asked if this technical noti- fication was what M. Meline, the French Premier, referred to in his recent speech in the French Chamber of Deputies. Mr. Baifour said: *I don’t koow. I must say it is not satisfactory to answer questions put by gentlemen who embar- rass the Government as much as they can by questions inside and speeches out- side of the Honse.” [Loud cheering by Conseryatives. | 8ir William Harcourt, amid Libe: cheers, protested against Mr. Balfour's sought legitimate information. He then proceeded to say: “Lord Sulisbury referred to Premier Meline’s speech, and we must have an answer thereto. That reference -made in the House of Lords contains the only in- formation that has been given to the House or to the country. [Cheers.] I again asked M. Meline, and he stated that Greece would be invited to accede to the terms of the note of the powers, and that the ports of Crete would not be blockaded nor the number of European troops in the island increased until Greece had been again notified whetber that had been done.” [Liberal cheers and great excite- ment in the House] -—— GKEEKS BOUND TO FIGHT. Nothing but @ Bombardment Can Check the Warlike Spirit. NEW YORK, N. Y., March 19,—A spe- cial cable dispatch to the Sun from Lon- don says: Greek advices are 10 the effect that the war is considered inevitable and it will be welcomed by the entire nation. T. e -impression evon in~ Western Eu- Tope is that nothing short of a great naval demonstration and the fhreat- ened bombarament of some important Greek town will prevent an outbreak of hostilities against Turkey. cult to believe that tbe British Govern- ment in any event will participate in or sanction such an extreme measure. PR Prince Benry JMaw Ruls Crete. PARIE, Fraxce, March 18.—The Echo de Paris publ es a rumor that the Governorship of Urete will be offered to Prince Henry of Orleans, who is now in Abyssinia at the head of an exploring expedition GUMEZ WA4S VICTUKIOUS. The Cubanm Gener d Moets a Spanish Forer and Defeats I. NEW YORK, N. Y., March 18.—A Sun dispatch from Havana says a big battle has been fought at Savanna, near Sancti Spiritus, between the forces of General Gomez and a Spanish column 2000 strong. The Spanish official report of the battle gives no details, but the report is current that the Spaniards suffered a terrible de- feat. The news has created a great sen- sation. In Havana it is admitted that {he expe- dition of General Roloff landed in Pinar del Rio with 8000 guns and ammunition and then the ‘steamer started for some other port on the island. Scott 1o Be keleased. HAVANA, Cusa, March 18.—The Su- preme Court has dismissed the case of Charles Seutt, the American, who was ar- rested recently on the charge of having Cuban postage stamps in his possession. It is expected that he will be raleased to- mMOrrow. It is aiffi- WARSHIPS SLIPINTO THE'S Successful Launching of the Wheeling and Marietta. GREAT CROWDS CHEER THE EVENT. The Vessels on (triking the Water Come Together With Slight Damage. TWO0 LADIES CHRISTEN THE ‘WARRICES. The Union Iron Works Entertain the Christening Party During the Day. Two more fighting ships dropped from | the land into the sea yesterday morning, there to become members of the whil squadron ana to stand for the honor of America and Americans. The launching of the gunboats Wheel. ing and Marietta took place from the slips of the Union Iron Works on the minute for which it had been arranged. Every detail of the plans carried perfectly, ex- cept that when the big boats struck the water they cume together for no reason that the managers could explain or un- derstand except tbat they were disposed to be neighboriy. The result was almost disastrous, but, fortunately, passed with only an ugly seratching of the new paint and the breaking of the davits on the Morieita. The Wheeling —her stern caught on the stern of her sister ship— rolled over on her side, cpusing a slight panic among the party on board and cries of alarm from those on shore. However, as the boats parted the Wheeling righted in fine style, but carrying a scar to mark the meeting-place. A great crowd gathered to witness tha inspiriog spectacle. It formed a heavy fringe about the siips in the yards of the Union Iron Works, covered tne ships that were docked there, as well as every point and pinnacle about the place. It formed the favored group that held tick« ets of admission from the Union Iron | Works, Along the shore beyond the high fence of the shipyard stretched the line of the uninvited, a much greater crowd, Who had really a better if a little more distant view. For they were in position from the Potrero road to watch the ships at broad- side leap from their place on the stays down the smooth path prepared for them inio the sea. Then there were those who came by water. The bay was fairly crowded with craft of every design, from the big side- wheeler down through all the variations of tugs, yachtsand small sailing vessels to the singie scull. The larger craft were crowded with men and women, and all of thém had their flags flying, and some were otherwise decorated. The water in front of the ships where the two boats stood up on the ways ready for the plunge was pa- trolled by a tug and kept clear of tha eager crowd of sight-seeing craft. Presently the tug Sea King made its way through the crowd and ran directly up to the slip. It was evidently a pri- leged character. As it tied up a party of ladies and gentlemen climbed ashore. It was the christening party, led by Miss Lucle & Brown of Wheeling and Mrs. H. Clifford More of Naples, this State, former- Iy of Marietta, and who was to represent her native city for the occasion. They made their way directly to the stand raised for the ceremony at the nose of the respect- ive boats and where they were to break the BAY o> ELRBUSIS . ’ £ o 1 MeZightXovse Scace —— Highwa o Mudles N Ratlroad N 8 3 3 ke S o o s S i THE BLOCKADE OF THE PORTS OF ATHENS. One squadron stationed off Cape Themistocles can cover both the Pireus and Phalerum, from the sea, except by a roundabout way to other points on the coast. shutting off Athens effectually