New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-18
THE CRETAN QUESTION GRAVE.
NOTE FROM THE GREEK GOVERNMENT
TO THE POWERS.
CHRISTIAN DEPUTIES IN THE ASSEMBLY DESPAIR
on a DIrLoMATIc sETTLEMENT

or A DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT.
Athens. July Il The Greek Government has ad-
dressed note to the Powers. calling their atten-
ton 10 the gravity OF the situation in Crete The
Christian Deputies in the Cretan Assembly have
telegraphed communication to their partisans
here. declaring that diplomatic settlement of the
The two documents mentioned In the above dis
patch are Of greater significance than the reports
OF skirmishes between the Cretans and the Turks.
They Indicate The Tribune predicted last April.
when little importance was generally accorded to
the first news from Gambia that the Cretan ques-
tion was likely take the place of the Armenian
question in the preocc ipations of Europe The
Greek Government feels that II can restrain no
longer the active aid practical sympathes of its
people for the Cretans lighting against the Mussul-
mans. Mr. Delyannis the Premier, has done all he
could to fulfil the international obligations OF
Greece toward Turkey. but he knows that he Is at
the end Of his resources and that his Cabinet will
be overthrown if II is compelled 10 oppose any
longer. even negativel. and patonically, the war
like manoeuvre5 OF the Cretan committees at Atm
Considering the enthusiasm OF the Greeks IN
favor of the insurgents 1t would be Impossible ioF
Mr. Delyanris 20 prevea. the departure OF any
flibustering expedition Barrcades might De
thrown up suddenly from the Piraeus to the Acrop
oils. and the roy al dynasty would be endangered
as well a. the Ministry. which has already beer
such a point that. for the sake of It's own dignity
the Cabinet has been driven to open judicial pro-
ceedngs against the newspaper "Esta.
While ii is not surprising therefore tha' the
Greek Governments should have addressed note T.
the Powers calling their attention 10 the gravity
OF the in Crete that situation Is rendered
daily graver by the continued barbarite5 OF 'he
Mussulmans and bv the exigencies OF the In
surcents The latter announce 10 Europe that "a
diplomats settlement Of the Cret4 an troubIi Is
impossible They mean b. this declaration that
they have no confidence in the promises OF reform
which Turkev cOulJ maka under ue prtsssic o1
the Powers TIL ins Urgent 'epltFcpy, or coihllil
Zee speaking through the Christian Deputies, pro-
claim that since 1875 a dozen trades. or ordinances
vere issued bN tn, Porte for a better admnistra-
tion of the island and that none OF them nave ever
been executed. The Cretans want guarantees OF
a serious and practical nature before consehuns 10
Law down their arms. Purely diplomatc guarantees
Recently when the Porte had assured the Powers
that Abduiiah PachA who succeeded lurkhan Tdcni
a. Governor OF Gambia. would initiate reform
policy. he declared IN a proclana tlOA that lhe IN
thing fror, imperial clemency. He added that u
the General Assembly presented desderata not
touching In any way the sovereign rights OF the
Sultan he would transmi. them 70 the sublime
Porte which would examine them. This Was IN de-
rislon Meanwhile he allowed his Bashi-BazOuks. or
guerilla soldiers. TO pilage the country And when.
upon the complaints of the Consular Corps. he per-
rntted an officer and seven soldiers TO be broueh.
before a court-martial composed OF Mussulman Of
the pllagers and lrcendiaries were acquitted.
Of course The Cretans seem 10 have no more con-
fdence In the Governor OF Christian faith. who
has been sent Candia. but who is cOmneliei 10
act in accord with Abduah Pacha. has been
appointed military comrra nder in the island.