352 Chapter 3
hero in whom the British and French had full confidence. The blockade/occupation
had the effect of keeping Greece quiet and momentarily improving relations with the
Ottoman Empire during the Crimean War.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from January 1, 1854. End Date changed from
December 1, 1854. Fatalities changed from Missing.
MID#1576
Dispute Number: 1576
Date(s): October 24, 1866
Participants: 350 Greece/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Toward the end of spring 1866, Crete attempted to gain its autonomy from
the Ottoman Empire. By October, the revolution was in full swing, and the Cretans
were gaining victories. The Greek government quietly supported the Cretans, letting
troops from its military take leave in order to fight for Crete as irregulars. On October
24, 1866, when the Cretan insurgents and the Greek volunteers suffered a defeat in
Sfakia, the Greek government sent troops to the northern frontiers to protect Greek
borders from possible Ottoman invasion.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from Missing. End Date changed from Missing.
MID#1575
Dispute Number: 1575
Date(s): November 19, 1868 to January 20, 1869
Participants: 350 Greece/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (Negotiated)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: By 1868 the Cretan revolt had been ongoing for two years, with implicit
support from the Greek king, George I. However, in November, the Greek foreign
minister proclaimed that the official policy toward Crete was that it must be annexed
and incorporated into Greece. In December, the Turks sent an ultimatum to Athens
demanding Greece cease with its inflammatory behavior. The demand was rejected,
and the Greek ambassador was expelled from Constantinople. Prussian and French
insistence brought the two sides to a conference in Paris, which began on January 9,
- The demands from the Ottoman Empire included ceasing the mobilization of
troops, ceasing assistance to corsair ships, and facilitating the return of Cretan fami-
lies to Crete. Greece accepted these in total. Crete, for the meantime, remained under
Ottoman jurisdiction.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 6, 1869. Outcome changed from
Unclear.