The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-11
STORY OF CRETE
Mediterranean Isle Now
Fighting for Freedom.
From Age of Fable to Present
Year Of Grace.
Known as the elsie of One Hun
dred Kings"


stormy or moro heroic history than that OF
Crete. In remote antiquity II was the re-
doubtable "Isle Of One Hundred Cities"
and had an illustrious line of kings among
whom were Rhadamanthus, Mlnos and
Idomeneus. The last named led a fleet OF
80 ships to assist in the conquest Of Troy
and was the last OF what we may call the
legendary kings. After him a gap OF sew
eral centuries occurs, and when the record
Is resumed it Is no longer fable, but au-
thentic history. At the time of the Persian
invasion of Greece the island was populous
and prosperous. 1t was divided into sew
eral independent republics, which, like
those of peninsular Hellas, were not al
ways in peace and friendship with each
other. They kept free from foreign wars,
however except as they voluntarily fur
nished mercenary troops to Whichever side.
would pay best for them. This was done
in both the Persian and Poioponnesian
wars, when the Cretan archers were as
noted and as dreaded as those of merry
England in later ages.
The prowess of the ancient Crotans and
their insular position kept them free from
invasion down almost to the Christian era.
While the eagles of Rome tapped wide
wings in fiery flight over nearly all else
of the known world that island retained its
independence. Indeed, 1t was only through
intestine quarrels that it was at last SUBJ
dued. Some 20 years before the Christian
era Rome took advantage of the prevailing
discord In Crete To invade the island, on
the pretext that the Cretaps hard given aid
and comfort TO Mthrdates and had i'll
treated some Roman soldiers. The first
army was repulscd and almost annihilated
by the Cretans. But Rome was determined
to achieve the conquest if it took the whole
power Of her empire. Army after army
was sent, and after three years OF desperate
lighting Rome prevailed. For the first
time in her history Crete became, in 6S B
c., subject to an alien master. From that
day to the present, for moro than l 900
years, she has been a conquered province,
never once regaining the independence so
long maintained and SO reluctantly relin-
quishcd.
For many years Crete remained an ap-
panage OF Rome and then of Byzantium.
1t first fell into Moslem hands in S23,
when the Arabs, led by Michael the Slut
terer, found it an easy prey. No important
attempt to colonize 10 was made by the
new conquerors, but many of the Greek
inhabitants, voluntarily or involuntarily,
accepted the Moslem faith. So it comes to
pass that at this day there arc few Turks
or Arabs in the island, though many Mo
hammedans, the latter being of as pure
Greek blood as their Christian neighbors.
After 1877 years Of Arab rule the island
was retaken by the Greeks under Nice
phorus Phocas, who taught the Arabs
what he thought ''an everlasting lesson.
1t remained under Greek rule until the
establishment of the Latin empire by the
crusaders, when in 1904 ii was turned
over TO Boniface, marquis OF Montferrat.
The Genoese tried to buy it of him, but lac
sold 10 To their rivals, tho Ncnotians, in
stead, for the sum of 100, 900 silver marks.
The Cretans revoltcd against the Vene-
tians, and, assisted by Genoa, gavc them
much trouble. Indeed, during their sew
oral centuries of ownership the Ncnctians
had few years Of peace with the turbulent
islanders.
The second Moslcm conquest dates from
1Gi5. Sultan Ibrahim, on the pretext that
Venice had given assistance 90 the knights
Of Malta, sent an army of 100, 600 men TO
seize the island. 1t took them nearly two
months IL capture tho port O, Canoa and
10 less than "a years TO reduce the capital
city of Gambia. Then Vcnice yielded tho
whole island to the Turks, excepting three
ports, tho last of which she also relin-
quished in 1915. Thereafter came the
bloodiost chapter in Cretan history. OPP
preston, rapine, torture and massacre
maze up tho daily story Cor moro than u
hundred years Tho Crctans wcro in n
chronic state of revolt, and In 1921 would
probably have been successful had not AN
Egyptian army como to the aid OF the
Turks. Seven years later, when Greece be-
came independent, Crete was cedcd to
Egypt rs a reward for the latter's services.
For somo years thereafter, under the wise
rule OF Moliammod All and Mustapha
Pasha, the island enjoyed such prosperity,
peace and justice as it had not known for
many centuries Unhnppily In 1910 the
powers compelled Mohammcd Ali to sur
render 10 again to Turkey, and since then
affairs have been nearly as bad as possible.
The great rebellion OF 80 ycars ago resulted
In the granting Of some reforms. But the
Crotans did not know how 10 nlnkc proper
use Of the advantage they had gained, and
now the whOlo battle must bc fought over
again.-Ncw York Tribune.