The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-05
CRETAN EMIGRATION.
TRANSLATION OF a Report Addressed TO the
Haiian Envoy NJ Athens by the Italian Cou.
sui at syria.
syria, Dec. 10, 1867.

In reply to the letter. dated the 9Th inst which had
the honor Of receiving from your Exceency make J!
my duty 10 give you some information when oDtaneu
from reliable sources on the subject OF Cretan em'>
grafton.
II 10 difficult state, approximately the number
OF Crean families that because they are scat
tered, few at almost every point They may, now
ever, be estimated as as least Two thousand women,
children aud old men, OF this number quite goodiy
portion capable Of bearing arms but who prefer
the quiet Of residence at SYRIA association with the
insurgents. The Hermopos Commune spends eignt
thousand drachma every fortnight to assist the emf
grants; but this amount is quite insufficient for when
divided among SO many persons it amounts merely 10
from ten u thirty epta day for each one The bulk
of tho emigrants are poor and those who have arrived
SYRIA have been forced to sell whatever articles OF
vauo they possessed the ewery OF Their women, 10
raise wherewitha 10 live. great number OF the emf.
grants sorry that they lett their native SOIL and
authorities in underhand way. and The committee by
all means at their command spcceed IN prevent
ing IsM "a, svssy s aspsGnIo 81 have sSe msn
cruising about the landing for the purpose
of preventing by any means the departure OF Creans;
and such tail TO get away when once ashore again are
denounced by the populace as traitors Those VINO
ed in sailing for their native shores are forced 70
have their effects slowed away merchandise, destined
for some port OF call the island In this way they
have succeeded in evading the vigilance OF the COM
mttee's agents am certain that several Cretans IN
easy circumstances have addressed the acting Ottoman
Consul General asking to be amnestied and allowed 70
return home, and that the assistance sought was
granted This Consulate issues from fifteen TO eighteen
passports per week at government expense. The emil
grants do not make their complaints openly; out when
they hnd person whom tney eau trust lucy Cuiso
those who dragged them into their present sad stua
ton. their only aspiration 10 to sec the island
speedily returned 10 obedience, SO that they can regain
their homes.
There is no doubt that the insurrecon holds out on
account OF the support given by different committees
resident here at Athens and abroad, as we'll as by the
Greek government Whoever first conceived the idea OF
porting those families to Greece calculated well the
profit that would result In the way of keeping up the
instruction through the Creams themselves The I'M
fortunate father husband who has sent his family TO
Greece must OF necessity JOIN the comoaapts through
fear that those who dear to him and are cast
among foreigners may suffer from vengefuness. Nor
they quit thus isaDd they know not what fate
awaits them in Greece, whore they would be received as
traitors The policy OF intimidation is the only lever
that makes them fght aud Notwithstanding
she desire OF the Insurgents to COMPROMISE
matters with the government. they cannot do so wmo
| their families n Greece. These reflections
heard from CretGns when speaking OF their stua.
ton and that OF the insurgents The protracon oil the
struggle will only augment the misery OF the emgrants,
for aid becomes more aud more restricted and when II
shall entirely the consequence Will DO sickness,
which always follows prvation. In setting forth VIII
precedes for your Exceoncy's information shall be
pleased should you pardon the loose style Of my report
as my object has been to comply with the wish ex.
pressed by your Exceency, feeling confident that
should meet your appreciation.