The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-08-26
rNsURRECrroN OF CRETE.


Every body knows the active part the
Christian popolAtion Of the Island Of Crete
took in the war Of independents Of 1871
1873; the s1ferings they eour@geously
endured. and the results obtained. II may
be easily Unsigned what pSiuful surprise
the protocol Of London caused them, and
the treaties resulting from it. BY which
they were divided from the Kingdom Of
which they formed constituent part. and
by which they were replaced under Otto
mzn rule. II Is useless 10 recall TO mind
the comparatively happy and quiet period
during which the Island Was governed,
6rss, in the name Of MsAenet Ali. and
later. from the year 1870, in the name Of
the Sultan. BY the Albanian, M1stafa Pa
sha- then known in the Orient by the name
Of Hiritli. (Cretan).
The primary causes Of TIE Instruction
Of 1850 can be traced back 70 the armed
pro,estaiiou Of lS5S. and TO the eonces-
sions then obtained BY the Christians
without bloodShed. After the resignation
Of Vel PAshs, the curtain had dropped, N
the midst Of Kisses. on the comedy of civ
ihz1tion and progress which tie former
Ambassador in Paris, with the assistance
Of several persons interested, had tried to
play, To deceive Europe. The new Veil,
Sami Pasha. succeeded in restoring peace,
and in sending back to their orchards, vine
and olive yards, both Christians and No
hamnedans- Under his wise and prudent
government. the Island of Gambia enjoyed
a few years of tranquility.
Isnail PSshs, who came after him in
1851, was, BY no means. 50 successful. A
Greek by birth, be had. in common with
many Of his countrymen, great defect
He was cunning. and entertained an exag-
gerated OPTION Of his own abilities. In that
Grecian craftiness, of which the Homeric
Ulysses is 4 perfect prototype, there Is 4
great deal of simplicity; and it was by at
tempting to appear too crafty, that Ismail
PaSha met with his failure. His first step.
when be arrived in Crete, was to call
around him, as advisers, some Greeks Of
distinction, which exclusive selection was
caused, partly BY natural tendency. and
partly by the hope that he would eyentu-
slly be able 10 discover some of the plans
Of his political adversaries by seemingly
faToring them But in the Turkish do
minious, Christians are not allowed TO en-
joy the regulAr and public exercise of au-
thority; their influence is felt only in a
sly and elandestine manner. which can not
be useful, because there is nothing 50 dan
geroGs. as power when Separated from
From one end of the Turk
Ssh Empire to the other, all authority is,
vested with the high Mussul-
nan diguitaries. but in reality. with those
who rule and govern in the name of Pa
sbas and CadiS. Those who derive from
the people the largest profits are the raias,
the bankers, the secretaries of high off
:ials. and the Primaies, Greek. Armenian,
or Slavouian, according TO the prOyineesl.
The Greek coterier which Ismail Sc
ected did not scruple to compromise his
lame by unpopular measures, and TO dis
credit him, By injudlciOus appointments and
Illegal exactions IsmaI was unaware Of
t, blindfolded, as ne was, by his 6attsrers.
He had received good education, and
had, indeed. obtained q diploma Of NJ D.
1t the Medical Faculty of Paris PrOuder
IF that scientific title than of the high pc
sition be owed to Imperial favor. he used
10 boast of bis knowledge and talent The
surest means, therefore, Of ingratiating
ines self in his favor was, while pretend
ng to take no notice of his rank; to be-
stow praises on the renown and skill Of the
great physician, who had not yet met with
! disease obscure enough TO resist his pre-
:criptious- No wonder. then, if be did
lot pay attention to the threatening muir
nurs Of legitimate popular dissatisfaction.
None Of the promises Of 1855 had been
pat into effect. Taxation, it Is true, Is not
% heavy on the Cretans As it Is on some
'ther Christian groups Of the Turkish
Empire, but when, in exchange for taxes
evied on property and labor. the State does
lot insure any advantage to taxpayers,
hen, taxation Is. and ought to be, consid-
ned As unjust and oppressive Taxation
; bat an extortiou when those who collect
nd receive it, do not do anything towards
he welfare Of those who pay it. Even
.dnitting, as appears in the answer Of the I
Grand Vizier to the Cretan petition. that
he Island Of Crete Is not 50 heavily taxed .
: some other provinces Of the Empire, /.
ct II can &c said, in refutation, that light .
: taxation may be, it Is already too heavy
'hen no advantage Is derived for the
money collected
On the whole Island. there Is rot road
o be found. Every winter, snoz-stOrms
any away some portions Of the old Ven
tian paths. still used, where they yet re- 1
aai1, TO cross over the marshes The I