New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-31
TILE TROERLES IN CRETE.

A dispatch from Consuahulnopie oon''y'
information that decision has been reached by
q Ministerial council to send new commission
n Crete with the purpose of settling the dill
or,+os there. The commission is to be COM
nosod of two Mussulmans, two Christians ana
two CONSERVATIVES of the insurgents. The dls-
+urhances in Crete which day by Gay
oro Incoming more serious, must not be regarded
&c n revival of the anti Turkish instructions Oh
6fteen or twenty years ago. They are nothing Oh
the sort and have no political significance other
than of a purely local nature. They represent
no antaQonsm between Greeks and turks or pe'
tween Christians and Mahometans. Nelther are
they inspired by restlessness under the lurNlsn
yoke or by ambition for independence or ior
annexation to Greece. The fact is that IN scarcely
any European country is there more cohpicoe
autonomy than in Crete. The people of than lsland
have their own Constitution and Legislature.
Tbev make their own laws, appoint their own
irdoes levy their own taxes, choose and control
tbeir own subordinate officers, and make up and
REGULATE their own police force. The Porte even
comedies 70 them one-half the customs duties col
cted at the island ports, and so far as the actual
government Of the island is concerned, contents
itself with the appointment of Governor VINO
is little more than figure-head ana whose per-
sonality is changed whenever the people delahu
ton an average, about once year. Under such
conditions the Cretans ought TO be contented and
harmonious That they are not is painful proof
of their incapacty as yet TO exercise arlgno the
privileges Of self-government
The present troubles had their origin only few
months ago. and in nothing more than party
scramble for the spoils of Office. The so'called
Conservative party had been in power, but the
last elections returned sweeping Liberal majority.
The Governor knowing that his tenure OF ONCE
depended upon his recognition OF the popular
will began making appropriate changes in various
offices. dispacing Conservatives and appointing
Liberals lie did this on only small SCALE ana
gradually But the Conservatives were unwlll-
ing to relinauish their hold upon the oHices'
First they demanded that he should make no
changes whatever. Then, when he dsregarded
their clamor they began TO agtate for his removal
holding meetings for the purpose and sending Pc
titions TO the Sultan. The petitions were DIS
regarded at ConstantinOple, and then the Con-
scryatives began to demand union with Greece.
They introduced resolution TO that effect into the
Legislature. 1t overwhelmingly rejected.
Then they resorted TO violence; killing OF wound
ing the successful Liberals, manning their cattle,
destroying their crops and burning their houses
The Liberals. of course, retallated; the ponce
fool, sides some with one, some with the other
party, ana now lle Dulh VI tHS PNP"i"'N-- ~
the unhappy island is divided into two warning
factions the barefoots' and the haversacks'
Between the two there is often open and deadly
conflict, always implacable antagonism. No bare
FOOT will speak to haversaclS," or enter the
same cafe or church with him. No barefoot
Judge will condemn a fellow barefoot" for any
crime committed against haversack,' nor will
haversacl" policeman arrest fellow " haver-
sack" for any offence against barefoot JUS
tice is suspended. Business is at standstlll.
Society is chaos.
In this wretched strife there Is no division be.
tween creeds or nationaties. Christians and
Mahometans. Greeks and Turks, are to be found
on both sides. 1t is simply fight between the
ins7 and the outs" The Greek Government,
through its Consuls has used its influence for
peace, but in vain. 1t has emphatically dis
couraged the demand for annexation, but the hot
headed agitators reply that Crete shall be an
nexed to Greece whether Greece is willing or not.
Up to this time the Turkish Government has
acted with its customary lrresolution. 1t has
not only neglected 10 the ssary energy
to restore order, but it hns not even allowed the
Governor TO do So That officer had at his COM
mand troops sufficient to quell all the disturbances
in day. But the garrisons were strictly required
not to fight to make single move unless they
were themselves attacked. The Governor has
now been recalled, and through the efforts of the
commission there is hope Of q peaceful settlement
Of the Cretan troubles.