New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-17
" needs less mechanical management and more
human feeling.
CRETE AND ARnENI4.

There seems at first sight llttle IL any, rel'
tionsbip between the massacres in ARMENIA III"
the instruction in Crete. In the cohditions
from which they arose, In the manner vi ,he.i
origin and progress, and in the objects winch
their authors and promoters have ID view, 'hey
are radically different and distinct. III AT
mcnia there were two separate races. apou'
equal in numbers: the Government was an az
solute despotism; and the massacres were ue-
liberatcly undertaken by the authorities III OF
der practically to eXtermnate one race lor TIC
benefit Of the other. In Crete, on the o'her
hand there Is only one race; the Government
has been a free democracy; and the reDciiioh
has been brought about by the people them
selves. through their sheer love Of disorder ana
undtncss for self-government Nevertheless
there Is an interesting connection between the
two cases. which deserves careful considera-
| ton.
Nearly thirty years ago, at the demand Of the
Powers Of Europe there were granted 10 tue
| Condiotes almost the identical reforms which
have lately been demanded for Armenia ana
these were eighteen years fgo so amplhed
and confirmed as seemingly to give all that
couId be reasonably asked for. The measures
included universal suffrage with secret balio's'
and representative Legislature. Although
the people are all Of one race they are or TWO
| creeds and that fact was recognized ana pro-
vidcd for in precisely the way suggested Tor
Armenia The majority OF the whole popua
ton being Christian. the Governor-''eherai WAS
Of that creed. The provincial Governors, the
| Mayors and other functionaries were OF the
same creed as the majority Of the inhabitants
Of their respective baillwicks, and each one had
an assistant deputy Of the other creed 10 iooh
out for the rights Of the minority.
This was in theory a beautiful system. and
should have insured perpetual peace ana mar
monv In practice It made the latter state or
the island worse than the former. The people
universally made politics n profession and trea
son n trade Men Of all parties set out TO make
tbe island too hot for any Govcrnor-Gencral
who might be appointed. AS for creed con
aicts. the animoslties between Armenlans ana
Kurds were nothing in comparison with the
hatred between Greek Christians and Greek
Mohomctans. The former being In the great
majority the latter Jared pretty badly, until
/ the Porte sent over some troops 70 protect them
Even then the Christians continued to harry
them numerically everywhere outside of tn"
garrison towns Finally the party that found
itself defeated Mt tho elections of 1888 organ
! tod rebellion with the purpose Of forcing the
! Porte 10 intervene for the restoration Of peace"
The Porte did so. sent over Shakir Pacha AZ
Governor General. proclaimed a state OF siege
ond SUSPENDED the Constitution That was
/ really the Only course 10 be pursued. unless IN"
island was TO he given over 10 anarchy Ana
now the people are rebellIng again. for a restora-
| ton of the former status 50 that they can re-
sumo playing politics and harrylng tLclr neigh
bors
Inevitably the questions arise. How would
such n system OF autonomy work In Armenia:
Would 1t succeed any better there than In
| Crete? II people 81 the same Tfce and bloon.
but Of different religions. cannot live together
/ I'm peace how can expect those 10 do 80 who
/ are of different races rs well rs creeds? or
! course 10 answer TO these questions can pos
! sihy excuse or palliate the awful crimes COM
| mlttrd by the Turkish officials In Armenia But
| n strong double Is suggested. as 10 whether
the demands Of the Powers have been wise and
! calculated TO serve the best interests Of Ar
mena The sorest problem in Europe to-day
/ Is how &C. give good government TO countries
! Of mixed Christian and Mahometan population
3 The example II Armenia shows the urgent need
| OF change But that of Crete shows. with equal
! plalnncss that hot yet IS II wise 10 make the
| change 10 unrestricted self government.