THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR. 642 police to prevent unnecessary warfare while Europe was deliberatingon the fate of Crete.

On March 2nd a joint note from the Powers was addressedto the Greek Government, calling upon it to withdraw its troops from Crete and its warships from the watersof the island within six days, at the same time informing it that Europe would not tolerate tlae annexation of Crete to tlae Hellenic kingdom, but would secure for tlae island a complete system of autonomy under tlae rule of the Sultan. It was intimatedthatwhen this was settled the Turkish garrisons would leave the island. On the 8th, the last day of tlae period named in the note.

the protection of a British escort. The British Consul, Sir A. Biliotti, superintended the operation. It was feared that if the place had fallen, the Turks wouldhave been massacred in revenge for the slaughter at Canea. A week later the autonomy of the island was proclaimed by the consuls. By this time detachments of the troops of the Powers had landed, and occupied some of the chief ports on the coast, where the Turks had taken refuge. The flags of the Powers flew together on one of the bastions of Canea.

OnMarch 25th the guns of the international fleet were once more in action against the King George'sGovernment replied that it could not consent to withdrawits forces,and suggested that they should remain to co-operate with the Powers in securing order, and that aplebiscite of the Cretans should decide on the question of annexation or autonomy. It was expected that the Powers would have answered this rejection of their ultimatum by blockading the Piræus and the Gulf ofCorinth,a strong measure that would perhaps have averted the coming war. But they contented themselves with proclaiming a blockade of the coasts and harbours of Crete against all ships under the Greek flag.

On the 10th the fort of Kandano,garrisoned by 500 Turkish troops, and crowded with 1,500 Mohammedan refugees, wasevacuated,theTurks, with their families, being brought away under insurgents. Tlae Cretans had attacked the blockhouse of Malaxa, an outpost held by the Turks on the hillsoutside Canea. The garrison were driven out, and fled along the shore, covered by the guns of the fleet, which then opened on tlae captured blockhouse and completely destroyed it. Tlae Greek regulars at Platania under Vassos had taken no open part in the later movements against the Turkish outposts,but it was reported that some of his officers had gone over to the camp at Akrotiri, vv here they were training the insurgent army. Beyond cutting off his supplies by sea, in the hope of starving him out, the admirals had done nothing to enforce their summons to Vassos to withdraw. Matters werein this condition when the outbreak of war between Greece and Turkey