The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-03-30
1:nfnrmatiGn.
THE RESURRECTION IN CRETE.
Hts Origin ana K'nrpOse.

which means the same thing, ana talk q
diplomatic movements in reference to thu
- Eastern Question !" but to most readers thi'
is all more or less uninteigible, because gen
orally the cable dispatches from the stupid
manner in which they are made up, presup-
pose in the reader an acquaintance with the
contents of the london and Paris daily jOurn,
AIS of the preceding day, which on this side is
of course impossible. The following compre-
hensive statement, however, by Professor Pack
ard. of Yale College, who is now in Greece, OF
the origin and purpose of the Instruction in
Crete and detail of events thus far of this re-
markable struggle, will be found both ntcllig-
ible and interesting:
ATHENS, Greece, Feb. :, 1867.
The revolution now going on in Crete deserves
from the American people more attention !, ian,
apparently, it has yet received. 1t is not the
mere passing outbreak Of discomfort with the
measures of an unpopular government, but the
determined struggle Of the Greek population
Of the island to free themselves from the rule of
Turkey which all the power of the empire has
thus far failed to put down in period Of more
than six months.
In 1858 the people of Crete formally appealed
to the Sultan for the restoration of the rights
which they had been deprived Of and for the
carrying out of the provisions of his decree of
1856, well known as the Haiti Humayoum, which
protested to guarantee religious liberty to all the
Christian subjects of Turkey. At the same time
they asserted their WILLINGNESS to remain loyal to
him as their sovereign. Two commissioners We're
sent from Constantinople to hold conference
with the representatives Of the people, the result
sc kIo &c -
1862 which promised the fulfllment of all their
requests. This satisfied the people and secured
peace; but the promises thus made were soon
forgotten, and the old system of oppression was
resumed by the governor and officials The en-
durance of the Cretans was worn out at last and
in the spring of 1866 began the revolution, Of
which an account will be given in succeeding
article
In April, 1866. the representatives of the Gre
tan people assembled to deliberate about some
relief from their burdens and wrongs. They
prepared an address to the Sultan, presenting in
the most respectful manner the following re-
quests:
!. That the excessive burden Of the taxes be
frightened. Since 1868 the old taxes have been
Increased and Isany new ones imposed. 1t can
be shown by statistics that within the last two
years more has been paid in taxes and imposts
than the whole amount Of the production of the
island
:. That means of communication between diff
serent parts of the country may be furnished, the
entire want Of which causes many accidents by
winter foods, and much loss of crops by the diff
Guilty of getting them to market.
3. That the rights granted by the decree of
1888 in regard to local government may be real
lied. The refusal on the part of the officials to
hold elections at the appointed times makes the
possession of the right of voting mere fiction.
I. That the abuses in the administration of
Justice may be reformed. Decisions are given
only in the Turkish language, the spheres of the
different officials are not defined by law and the
testimony of a Christian is not admitted.
j. That some security for personal freedom
may be given. AT present any person is liable
to be arrested and kept in prison indefinitely,
without judicial proceeding.
6. That the needed schools and hospitals may be
furnished, without which the community is great
ly Suffering.
Besides these requests made in the address to
the Sultan. the people earnestly desired the re-
call OF Ishmai Pacha, the Governor of the island,
the opening OF their ports to free export and i'm
port, the establishment of bank of loan, and the
cessation of interference on the part of the Gov
crnment with the property of the Church.
These moderate and just demands of the Gre
tans, though presented in a quiet and respectful
way. were not favorably received by the Turkish
Government. After waiting three months, they
wtre informed III July, by proclamation OF lsti-
mal Pacha, that they must disperse to their
homes at once, or they would be dispersed by
force of arms This answer showed them the
necessity of resorting to arms obtain
as men and their freedom as people. The ''Gen-
sral Assembly of Crete addressed a note. dated
July 23d (od style to the consus resident III the
island. stating their wrongs, and declaring their
n{a OF N tolp m redress. lcay
ing "the government responsible before the civil
lied world for the consequences They adopted
The Greek flag and proceeded to organize them
selves for war. Before the wsl broke out how
ever Ishmail Pacha in obedience 10 instructions
froIa Constantinople, sent messengers 10 the
Cretnns to suggest to them that they should ask
70 be put again under the direct government of
Egypt. This proposition they rejected without
hesitation, and demanded union with Greece as
the only thing that could satisfy them The war
then began, which has continued ever since
The Turkish forces have held the towns and
plains, while the mountains have been held by
the Greeks. The Turkish army is estimated at
about $4,000, including a number of Egyptian
troops, while the Greek organized force, Cretans
and volunteers, amounts to perhaps 5000 The
was has consisted of efforts on the part of the
Turks 10 dislodge the insurgents from their strong
positions in the mountains, while the Greeks. not
SsuturliiG pltcneU Dattle on level nfOuuu, nave
adopted the tactics required by their small num-
bers. Several desperate contests have. however,
taken place, which reminds Us of the revolution
OF 1921. The defence of the monastery of Arcade
deserves to be noted as parallel to that of Mis-
solonghi in 1926. In Arcade. some two hundred
soldiers, with more than three hundred women
and children, maintained themselves for two days
and nights against army of fifteen thousand
At length the cannon of the Turks battered down
the walls in several places, and they forced their
way in but the heroic garrison, choosing death
rather than uch caO-ivitv blew IN their noxydpr