owers decided to wait until the Prime Minister had had time to ask
the Chamber of Deputies if it was willing to support the Government.

At the last meeting the Minister put the question to the Chamber--saying
that the Government had decided that the proper course for France would be
to remain in the concert of the Powers, and insist that Greece withdraw
her troops from Crete.

Much discussion followed the Minister's speech. It had been expected that
the Chamber of Deputies would refuse, and insist upon a change in the
Government. To the surprise of everybody, a vote was passed, approving the
policy of the Government, and agreeing to uphold it.

So France joins her voice with those of the other Powers, and calls on
Greece to give in.

After the Chamber of Deputies adjourned, orders were sent to Toulon, a
seaport on the Mediterranean Sea, at the south of France, ordering
soldiers at once to Crete.

[Illustration: Warships on the Harbor of the Piraeus Seaport of Athens.]

The Admirals of the allied fleets have received orders to blockade the
ports of Crete; and if this fails to make the Greeks obedient to the
wishes of the Powers, the Piraeus and the ports of Greece are also to be
blockaded.

On receipt of these orders the Admirals proceeded to put them into effect,
and the Cretan ports are now blockaded.

It is said that the Greek fleet has withdrawn from Turkish waters.

The Greek Cabinet Ministers had a very long and serious talk over the
present state of affairs. It was decided that on no account would the
Greek troops be withdrawn from Crete, and that if the Powers tried to
force Greece into obedience she must take active measures.

These active measures are understood to mean the declaration of war
against Turkey.

It is said that two bands of Thessalians have invaded Macedonia.

Thessaly is that part of Greece which borders on Turkey, and Macedonia is
a part of the Turkish Empire bordering on Greece, that at one time formed
part of the Greek Empire.

There are many Greeks in Macedonia, and if war is declared it is expected
that they will rise and go to the aid of their mother country.

The invasion of Turkey by the Thessalians does not mean that war is
declared. It is merely a rising of the border peoples against their
neighbors, and has nothing to do with the Greek Government.

The Crown Prince of Greece, Constantino, Duke of Sparta, is leaving
Athens, to take command of the Greek forces in Thessa