New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-26
THE BRITISH PLAN FOR CRETE.

Lord Sasburys proposal for the settlement
of the Crcan question will prove more accep''
bic TO the ma ority Of the Cretan people 'hah 10
the militant party in Greece. 10 the latter, Ill
deed. it will scarcely be at all acceptable. lheF
want immediate and absolute annexation oi
Crete TO Greece. and will be satisfied WIN noun
inc less Nor is their desire unnatural or I'M
lust Crete ought TO belong 10 Greece. Bui
there is a serious obstacle in the way OF the I'M
medatc fulflment of that desire, namely, the
determination of Germany and Russia mat
Crete shall not belong to Greece. Those two
Powers would. if they could have their way.
force Crete back under the undated despofisih
Of Turkey Now let ii be granted that Greece
could take Crete and could successfully DEFEND
Thcssalv against the Turks. and indeed van
ouish Turkey in a war; if left TO herself. The
fact remains that she would not be left TO her
self Germany and Russia are actually pre-
pairing TO take up arms against her in behalf
of Turkey To imagine that Greece could for
moment hold her ground against Germany,
Russia and Turkey united is, Of course, mad
ness
The British plan is a compromise. and is prob
ably the best that can be devised. 1t provides
for the Withdrawal of both the Greek and the
autonomy of the island under a Governor ap-
pointed by the Powers The island would still
he nominally n part of the Turkish Empire just
as Bulgaria, Herzegovina. Bosnia Samos and
Egypt are. but It would be entirely free from
Turkish rule of any kind, as they are. 1t would
enjoy peace prosperity good government, JUS
tice. Its ultimate disposition would still be in
doubt, but the conduct of Greece would have
an important and perhaps determining nfu-
Cncc upon il. Thus Bulgaria. having placed IL
self under Russian tuteagc, is doubtless des-
tined TO become a Russian province. Bosnia,
Herzegovina and Novi-Bazar are under an
Austrian Governor and will one day belong 10
Austria. Egypt will in like manner probably
become British territory. If Greece, by dis
Greet diplomacy. can get Greek Prince APP
pointed Governor Of Crete she will in course
Of time secure full possession Of that Island; and
her best chance Of getting such an appointment
lies in her ready acqulescencc in the demands
of the Powers.
Lord Salisbury's proposal is clearly in the in
tercst of Crete and of Greece. just as was his
positive refusal last year to join in blockading
the Cretan coast 1t may be resented by the
more hot-headed Of the Greeks. and will doubt
less be branded by Anglophobcs as a support Of
Turkey. The British Government is cndeavor-
ing 10 rid Crete at once of the horrors of do
nestle anarchy and Of Turkish oppression, and
at the same time to make a way for Greece 10
retire from her present position without humil-
iation 1t is thus proving itself rs on former oc-
caslons the best friend Of the Greek race. That
its plan will De accepted by the Powers is
earnestly to be hoped; that it will be accepted
by Greece is TO be expected. For. if not what
will occur? Russia Turkey and Germany will
unite to crush Greece and Greece will be
c,ushed by them unless Great Britain, Italy and
France come TO Der aid: and for them or any
Of them TO do so would mean general Euro
pean war Of stupcndous magnitude OF course.
there is the alternative that Russia and Ger
rany will back down and let Greece have her
way; but that is too improbable for considcra-
ton. Surely it is better for Greece 10 postpone
the complete fulfment of her desires than for
her to be crushed by the Great Powers or than
for there TO be a general European war.