The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-27
TIE EASTERN QUESTION.
Crefnn View OF the Present Troubles Be.
tween Turkey and Grcccc-History and Stu
alton Of Crere-Why European Powers Sup.

tween Turkey md Grcccc-lIistOry and Stu.
alton Of Crere-Why European Powers Sup
port the Turl1s.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
1T is well known that the island OF Crete though
OF small extent, was, owing to its fine harbors and
productive wealth, OF the most valuable possess
sions of the ancient Greek empire, and In the days
OF Venice the most nourishing emporium Of the
East. The invasion OF the Mussulman destroyed all
this prosperity, and leaving out OF account consid-
eratons OF religion and social ethics and regarding
the Mussulman influence only from its effect upon
the material resources OF Crete, 1t must be admitted
that 1t was fatal to all trade and enterprise, and
aiming only to grind the people down with taxation
without doing anything in the way OF constructing
roads and OF protection and promotion OF property
and industry.
When the Greek war OF Independence released
Greece and Crete from the domination OF the Mussul.
man. Greek merchants ut once became powerful ali
over the world, and Crete, after enjoying freedom
from Islamlsm from 1927 10 1850, would have fully
participated this regeneration OF the Heilenes as
leading commercial nation II 10y q transaction which
was declared to have been scandalouS by Leopold OF
Belgium, Lord Pamerston and other public mem
Crete had not been bartered away 10 the Fgypta ans
and by them to the Mussulmans contrary TO all law
and equity ana in open defiance OF the right to ma
tiona independence, which 10y their heroic particpa-
ton in the Hellenic war ofndepcndence OF 1871 to 1927
the Cretans had conquered along with their COM
patriots the Hellenic continent The Cretan peo-
pie, who all OF the Hellenic race protested from
upon them against their Will and in fragrant viola
tion OF their inherent and national rights. When
tine ose and a ga oss ny N ana INSULT to
injury to call them insurgents since they
ad not rise against wc s awn negoS
TO sti9matze IA unlawful, and which wasso little
entitled TO Its claims OF sovereignty that Leopold OF
Belgium q prince remarkable for his wisdom and
moderation. publicly confirmed the Cretan people In
their right OF national independence, by declaring 10
those who invited him TO become King or the
Helenes that he would only consent If the Moslem
to renquish his pretensions upon Crete. and II
the island were placed on footing OF independence
like the other parts Of Greece, that had come
triumphanty out of the war Of independence. The
Lretans, although apparently deserted by the Powers
whose honor was involved IN their liberation, were
undaunted in their determination never To recognize
the Turk their lawful sovereign, and indeed, the
great Powers themselves imphedly supported this
determination IN limiting the usrpaton OF the Porte
and making u contingent upon the fuinInent OF
certain conditions. These conditions imposed upon
the Turks faithful regard and solicirude for the
welfare and interest OF the Creaa Christians but as
they were ruthlessly broken By tho Governors who
were sent from Constantinople to Crete the people,
who bore up with almost supernatural meek
ness under the most excruciating exactions,
prosecutions and expressions, were at length
driven by the sheer Instinct OF selepreservaton TO
assert with arms in their hands the vlndicaifon OF
their national rights which ever since $50 they had
indignant against the Moslcm for having violated
the conditions upon which he was so fatally permit
ted by them 10 usurp the national Hellenic power In
Crete. commenced 10y giving aid and comfort to the
Cretans by allowing their men-of-war 10 protect
ana cruelties and to convey them to the safe Guar
dianship OF their compari0ts under the King OF the
Hcllenes. The Marquis de Moustier, the French Am
bassador at Constantinople and afterwards Minister
OF Foreign Affairs declared publicly that Crete was
lost TO the Mosem." and all the nations OF Christcn.
DOM and most emphaticalv the United States, united
to plead Ia behalf OF the Crctans.
But while the Crctans organized provisional gov
eminent more than Two year. ago aad divided me
municating through ITS respective committee with
the general provisional government. the members OF
xrNt al.snf nv fLl a
semby; while they consolidated daily their
Independence and nothing was needed TO
s SS iser su, s !eGSssSR e tH ~ eI Svs
They began to fear ihat, u Turkish rule In Crete
were to fan there would be general rising OF the
Christians all over tue East against the Mohame-
dams and that thereby the universal desire 0i tue
commercial communities OF Europe Tor tie peaceful
progress OF their enrichment might pc baled Dy the
outbreak OF a general war, which, although Il might
free Christianity from the scourge oil turkish comma
ton, might ut lnc same time en1anger tue monetary
interests OF the world. All Of a sudden the Cos,>tt-
tuttonncl, Napoleon's Ofc paper, rccei' eu ORDERS
not to mention again the name 81 Srete wnse ..,e
numerous French papers, subsidized w the M0siem
and monetary interests. dcluged the world with the
news that the provisional govefnment OIL Crele nad
ceased TO exist ~ that the socaed lnsurrecton was
at an end. and that the Cretan women and children
were imporng the Sultan, on their knees. 10 We al
lowed to escape from the Hellenic dungeons ana 10
return 10 the charming and elevating society OF ms
pachas aud soldIery IN Crecl Whe tiis iaise news
was sedulously disseminated, aud To SUCH an extent
''t''
worldwide conspiracy 0f misrepresentatlng tner con-
dtion well against the enmity oil the iurk ana
his supporters the provisional government OF crete
persevered, nevertheless In its faithful ana emclent
| administration Of the island, and strange 70 say,
but fully attcsed by the sequel OF these events, tue
| blockadng squadron OF Turkey was unable to bar
the way 10 the Hellenic steamers frelged with pro-
visions and ammunition while the land forces OF the
Porte were unable to retain any other portion Oh tine
| island excepting few forts, from when they dare
not issue except Ia battle array and INTO which they
are virtually imprisoned.
j The Aus fiaA warrior, omar Pacha, showed only
hls pr0Wess by the massacrss Of non-combatants.
aud After ycar's bloody but useless excuses left
Crrte IN lsAs4y ana without success All Pacha the
| Glnnd Nilinr. N Ia - Il were. cOniu.el k0r AA