* * * * *


There is startling news from Crete.

Greece has openly defied the warning of the Powers, and has declared her
intention of assisting the little island, and freeing her from the Turkish
rule.

All Europe is ringing with the spirited reply sent by Greece to the demand
that she should submit to the wishes of Europe, and give up her warlike
intentions toward Turkey.

This reply was short and to the point. It was simply this:

"Greece accepts full responsibility for all her acts."

Her first act after sending this brave message was to fire on a Turkish
vessel, and thus openly to declare war upon the Turks.

The Turkish vessel was carrying arms to the besieged garrison at Canea. As
she moved from her anchorage in the harbor of Candia, she was hailed by a
Greek warship, and ordered to return to her moorings.

The Turkish vessel, the _Fuad_, paid no attention to the order, and was
continuing on her way, when a shot from the Greek ship brought her to a
stand. Having no guns of her own with which to defend herself, the _Fuad_
decided that the sensible thing was to obey; so she put about, and
returned to her moorings.