[Inclosure 1.] The American Embassy to the Foreign Office. MEMORANDUM. AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, November 15, 1905. My government has been informed by the American consul-general at Singapore that the boycott against American interests there by the Chinese has taken a decidedly serious turn. That anonymous letters are in circulation and that the trade in general is at a standstill. It is feared that the trouble has only begun, and that circulars are posted on all Chinese shops. My government has instructed the consul-general to notify the local authorities at Singapore of these anonymous threats and unlawful combinations, and I am instructed to invite the consideration of His Majesty's Government respecting the gravity of this unfriendly action by aliens in a friendly port and the adoption of whatever protective and repressive measures that may be practicable. [Inclosure 2.] Lord Lansdowne to Ambassador Reid. FOREIGN OFFICE, December 8, 1905. YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to state that I have been in communication with His Majesty's secretary of state for the colonies with regard to the representation made by your excellency on the 15th ultimo, respecting the boycott of American goods by the Chinese at Singapore. Mr. Secretary Lyttelton will forward a copy of the correspondence on the subject to Sir J. Anderson, the governor of the Straits Settlements, who will doubtless take such measures as may be practicable to deal with any unlawful acts or combinations on the part of those concerned in the proceedings complained of. Mr. Lyttelton, however, points out that unless actual offenses against the colonial laws have been or are being committed it may be difficult for the colonial authorities to take any effective action in the matter. I have, etc., (In the absence of Lord Lansdowne.) F. A. CAMPBELL. CONTROL OF THE CUSTOMS REVENUES OF THE DOMINICAN [NOTE. See under Dominican Republic, page 298.] SEIZURE OF THE CANADIAN SCHOONER AGNES G. DONAHOE BY URUGUAY-REQUEST FOR THE GOOD OFFICES OF THE UNITED STATES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. [NOTE.-See under Uruguay and Paraguay, page 912.] GREECE. REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT IN CRETE. Minister Jackson to the Secretary of State. No. 257, Greek Series.] AMERICAN LEGATION, SIR: Referring to previous dispatches and as being of possible historical interest in view of the probable eventual union of Crete to Greece, I have the honor to submit the following short report in regard to recent events in that island. Although Crete has frequently been held up as an example to be followed in regard to other parts of the Turkish Empire where Christians form a majority of the population, opposition of one kind or another to the government of Prince George of Greece, the Christian high commissioner appointed by the powers (Great Britain, France, Italy, and Russia) in 1898, has existed ever since his royal highness assumed office. This opposition claims that the government of Prince George is too absolute and that continental Greeks are too often appointed to influential and lucrative positions in Crete to the disadvantage of the native Cretans. Moreover, there is the strong national desire to be united with the continental kingdom and to be able to take part in its affairs. About a year ago a Greek named A. N. Jannaris, who has English connections, criticized the government of the prince and was confined in prison in consequence and since that time the opposition has become more and more evident. About a fortnight ago certain leaders of the opposition (Papayannakis, Venisellos, Mano, and others) organized themselves into a so-called provisional national government, and they were joined by an inconsiderable number of insurgents. Arms had been prepared at Therisso, a village in the mountains not far from Canea, and the insurgents immediately took possession of this place. Union with Greece was proclaimed, the Cretan flag was pulled down and the Greek flag hoisted in its place, and a note was addressed to the representatives of the powers asking them not to interfere. The object of the insurgents was to prevent the taking place of the regular election for members of the Chamber of Deputies, to prove to the powers that the existing situation is impossible, and to bring about the desired union with Greece. One especial complaint is against the governor's right to appoint ten of the seventy-two members of the Chamber. The prince conferred with the representatives of the powers at once, and on March 29 issued a proclamation saying that the international troops had been ordered to march against the insurgents and thirtysix hours were to be allowed to them to lay down their arms peaceably. A conference took place between the commander of the troops and the insurgent leaders, and as yet there has been no armed encounter. On April 2 the prince issued a second proclamation, and on the same day the elections took place without serious disturbance throughout the island. The vote was a small one, and from some villages there were no returns. Supplementary elections are to be held next Sunday, April 9, and the Chamber is expected to meet in about two weeks. A majority has been obtained in favor of the existing government. Apparently the "revolution" will be without material result, and the leaders are now, while still holding out at Therisso, negotiating for amnesty. They were evidently misled as to the extent of the dissatisfaction with the existing régime, and although various public meetings have expressed sympathy the expected general uprising did not take place. In the meantime, however, the powers have declared that they do not think it expedient to reduce the international force in the island, as had been planned. On the other hand, they have announced an intention to send commissioners to look into the financial situation and to endeavor to have the Sultan recognize Cretan passports and the Cretan flag. Athens was considerably excited over the "revolution," but the greater part of the press thought the time inopportune, and the government expressed disapproval of the entire movement. SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 257 of the 4th instant I have the honor to report that the Cretan Parliament was opened yesterday with the customary speech from the high commissioner, Prince George of Greece. In this speech the prince spoke of his visits last summer to various European capitals and of his efforts to bring about the union of Crete to the Kingdom of Greece. He said that the powers had not thought the moment opportune, and he expressed regret at the existing revolutionary movement, as being calculated in his opinion to still further defer the fulfillment of the general wish. After the delivery of this speech the parliament, in which were included the ten members appointed by the prince, passed a resolution declaring that the union of Crete with Greece has taken place and recognizing Prince George and his government as representing the King. The prince was asked to communicate this resolution to the powers. There was a movement toward taking the oath of allegiance to Greece, but apparently it was decided that no oath should be taken at all for the present. While the international troops in Crete seem to have the active revolutionary movement well in hand, the armed insurgents being still shut up in Therisso, protests have come from and 'sympathetic meetings have been held in all parts of the island. The Cretan courts no longer are recognized, and Greek stamps, etc., are being used on legal papers. Cretan flags have been replaced by Greek, and custom duties are said to be exacted according to Greek rates. Although tourists who have visited the island recently in connection with the archæological congress were not aware that any revolution was going on, it now seems possible that what might be called a passive revolution will be of more effect than an active revolt could have been. * * * I have, etc., JOHN B. JACKSON. Minister Jackson to the Secretary of State. No. 272, Greek Series.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Athens, May 12, 1905. SIR: In reply to an interpellation in the Greek Chamber of Deputies, on the 22d ultimo, Mr. Delyanni, the prime minister, stated that the Greek Government, while sharing in the desire for the union of Crete to Greece, had refused to participate in any action tending to abolish the régime established by the powers, and had disapproved of the existing revolutionary movement. The minister declared that he had recommended the union to the powers, and he expressed it as his opinion that the Cretan Chamber of Deputies might ask for and obtain certain modifications in the present constitution. The Cretan Chamber has not met since it declared that the union with Greece had taken place, and although an effort is to be made toward having the deputies come together again it does not seem probable that they will do so under existing conditions. As yet no armed encounter has taken place between the revolutionists and the international troops, but the general situation has not improved. Sympathetic meetings have been held at various places in the island and the revolutionary forces have been allowed to be increased by deserters from the Cretan gendarmes. The revolutionists are said to have taken possession of a number of small villages in the mountains and to threaten to seize one of the villages on the coast and to administer its custom-house in accordance with the Greek tariff and to their own profit. The international forces have, however, caused the Greek flags to be removed from the public buildings and the Cretan flags to be hoisted again, and generally the powers are maintaining a firm attitude. Prince George has urged the revolutionists to submit to the decision of the powers and to wait until they are willing to permit the desired union with Greece, but the opposition merely continues to increase. Menof-war of various nationalities (especially British and Italian) are moving about the island. I have, etc., JOHN B. JACKSON. Minister Jackson to the Secretary of State. No. 279, Greek Series.] AMERICAN LEGATION, Athens, June 15, 1905. SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 272, of the 12th ultimo, and to previous correspondence in regard to Cretan affairs, I have the honor to report that the firm attitude of the powers has apparently produced the desired effect. Parliament met on May 15, and after a prolonged discussion its organization was completed, the government candidate, Mr. Michelidaki, being elected president. There have been a number of desertions from the gendarmerie to the insurgents, a good many people have left Canea, and many Mohammedans have left the island. The insurgents still hold out, and from time to time insignificant skirmishes take place between them and the international troops, who have been slightly reenforced. The Chamber (Parliament) has, however, invited the insurgents to lay down their arms temporarily, giving as its reason for this action the fact that the protecting powers are unwilling to have union with Greece take place at the present moment. The Chamber (on May 28) declared that the desired union is the "only natural, definite, and just solution of the question;" that the Cretan question is a century old and should not be connected with the Balkan question, and that any attempt to effect the union at present by force of arms would be likely to be injurious. It implored the powers to complete their "noble and civilizing work." About a week earlier declarations had been made in the Greek Chamber of Deputies by Mr. Skousés, the minister of foreign affairs, as well as by Mr. Delyanni, disapproving the revolutionary movement as being inopportune, and claiming that eventual union must and could be the only possible solution of the question. * * I have, etc., * * * * JOHN B. JACKSON. I have the honor to report that the state of affairs in Crete appears to be growing more serious, and the minister of foreign affairs told me the other day that the insurgents were increasing rapidly in numbers. About ten days ago an engagement took place between the Russian troops and the insurgents, caused by the Russians attempting to take a custom-house held by the latter. The insurgents fired upon the landing party of Russians, whereupon the Russian cruiser bombarded and nearly destroyed the town. More recently two more collisions have taken place between the international troops and the insurgents. In one attack five Cretans were killed and eight wounded, and one Russian killed. In the other fight, between the English and Cretans, some were wounded on both sides. AMERICAN LEGATION, SIR: Referring to my dispatch No. 304, of August 22, last, I have the honor to report that the conditions in Crete show some slight improvement, due to the fact that the insurgents seem to be getting rather discouraged on account of the firm attitude taken by the powers. The Cretans, as well as the Greeks, still insist that the only possible settlement of the question is annexation with Greece, and that until that takes place there is no chance of any lasting peace. Small skirmishes still continue to take place between the insurgents |