COLONEL VASSOS IN CRETE. 641 principality. It was hoped that the course of events would be the same in this instance, all the more because the much-vaunted "concert of Europe" had madethe preservation of peace the first point in its programme. This was, indeed, the onlypoint on whichit seemedto be in completeharmony.

replaced by battalions of British, French, Russian,Italian, and Austrian troops.

Within the wallsof Canea were the Turkish garrison and a crowdof Moslem fugitives from the country round,all the menbeing armed and organised in irregular bands of Bashi Bazouks. Vassos had driven in the Turkish outposts on the side of Platania, and captured tlae sort ot Colonel Vassos had proclaimed that he came RIN'i E GEORGE OF GREECE, GREEK OFFICERS AND SAIL by command of the King of the Greeks to restore orderin Crete, and protect the lives and property of the Christians. The European admirals informed him that they could not in any way recognise his authority or permit his intervention,and that any attempt to send him help from Greece would be resisted by force. InCrete there was no longer the semblance of order. At Canea the Turks had fired the town, which burned for two days and nights. Even the consuls had to take refuge on board the warships. The Turkish gendarmerie had revolted. Detachments of sailors and marines from the fleet were landed to maintain order in the town, and these a sew days later were Bukolin. The admirals now imposed an armistice, informing the insurgents that any advance against Canea wouldbeopposedby the guns of the fleet. On February 22nd, as there was an appearance of a movement towards Canea from Akrotiri, and firing had begun between the Greek and Turkish outposts above Halepa, the warships (with the exceptiononly of the French vessels) opened fire with their heavyguns on the Akrotiri camp, where the Greek flag was flying. The friends of Greece throughout Europe indignantly protested against this armed intervention on behalfof the Turk. But the defenders of the concert replied that the sc'tii Q of the admirals was a mere measure of 11