Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
CRETE AND GREECE.

The Island OF Crete, ancient Gambia
with It's area Of oply ssis square miles,
and estimated population OF less than
2a5. 0oo-about 5000 OF whom arc Moham-
medans, and the rest Christians, belong
ing to the Greek Church--is now the CEN
tire OF interest OF the little eastern ques-
ton. as the Turkish question has come
to be called. in contradistinction to the
far East question. This Is not merely
because there is rebellion In progress
In Crete, and the movement for annexa-
ton to Hellas has been revived, but Is
owing to the defiant attitude OF Greece,
which may endanger the peace OF all
Europe.
Disturbances and movements for an
nexation to Greece are not new to Crete
Though the island has been under Turk
ish rule since 1869, geographically, his
torcally. and by race. language. and re-
ligion 1t belongs to Greece; and there Is
a deep-seated feeling among the Cretans
that It ought also to belong to her po-
ntically. Consequently, Turkish misrule
is not all that has inspired the frequent
outbreaks there. In 1866 the Christians
of Crete revolted against the Sultan. and
demanded annexation to Greece; and 1t
was not until 1869 that they were SUBJ
dued. In 1878. during the Russo-Turkish
war, the Cretan Assembly proclaimed
the abolition Of Turkish sovereignty and
union with Greece, and It was only after
bo1 70
liberal governmental concessions. which
were confirmed by the treaty OF Berlin,
that peace was restored. But, even with
these concessions. and tho guarantee OF
the Powers, the peace was comparative
ly short-lived. Owing to one grievance
or another. or upon one pretext or an
other, there were disturbances in 1888,
in 1885, and In 1887. the discomfort Gull
minating in 1899 In a rebellion that ended
in the Constitutions being changed. and
the privileges of the Cretans being ma
terially curtailed.
In April last there was another up
rising in Crete. ostensibly for the pur-
pose OF securing a return to the reforms
of 1878; but the question Of annexation
again came prominently to the 'front.'
and the movement met with so much
sympathy in Greece that the Powers
felt constrained to warn the Greek Gov
eminent that union would not be per-
mitted. As II was, a number of filibus-
tering expeditions went from Greece to
Crete, and Greek army officers. who
figured in these expeditions. became popu-
lar heroes. The trouble OF April was
adjusted by the Sultan's promising to
nominate a Christian Governor for the
island, and this promise he kept But
he refused to order the inauguration OF
the Governor, or the restoration OF the
reforms of 1873, thus, 1t is contended, af-
fording the Christian Cretans. not
only justification. but an eagerly-desired
excuse for again revolving and declaring
their independence of Turkey. In fact.
ii is claimed that the insurrectionary
Cretans accepted the Portes promise
simply for the purpose OF gaining time
in which to more efficiently arm them
selves, and stimulate the pro-Cretan
feeling in Greece In respect to this
latter matter they did not reckon without
their host. When the Cretans made
their last proclamation Of union with
Greece, the Greek Government declared
its sympathy with them, and its will
ingness to give them support in making
union an accomplished fact.
AS consequence, the situation up TO
date is this: Prince George, OF Greece.
has succeeded in landing a Greek force
on the island; Greece has declared that
she will prevent a landing thereon OF
Turkish achievements and the Sultan
has asked the Powers to interfere.
threatening, In the event of their fall
ing so to do that Turkey would attack
Greece in Thessaly. If the Powers I'M
dertake to interfere. they will be COM
PEELED to show their hands on the whole
Turkish question, and this in itself might
precipitate a general war. On the other
hand. If they refuse to interfere, and
Turkey carries out her threat, a clash
OF arms eventually all along the line
would seem equally probable. In either
case, however, II is TO be hoped that the
Turk will be ground to pieces In the