The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-27

The text OF Glsdsfones letter On the
cretan question. which has attracted so
much attention, presents no new phase
OF the International controversy. he
writes as a sympathizer with Greece. bait
has not a word TO say concerning the po-
litlcsl aspect OF the situation. which ia
the aIl-absorhing issue. The eloquent old
man writes heroic poem on the classic
Greece with whose history. character and
literature he IL so learnedly familiar. and
bridges the gap between the Homeric era
and the present with swift glance. But
poems will not move Russia nor spostro-
Plies relieve England from the condition
which confronts her. Nobody Is seriously
combating the proposition that Turkish
TnisruIe is Infamous. or that Crete be-
longs, by all rule except that OF force. to
Greece. or that there Is any natural rea-
son why. ~ Crete desires II. she should
not break away from Turkey The fact
OF the matter is that the status is a mere
farce. Not one OF the powers, notwith-
standing all their display OF naval
strength. their ultimatums and their pa
belongs to Turkey or Greece. The fleets
are In the Mediterranean not 10 hector
Greece or fn;imidate Cretans. but TO watch
each other.
Yet upon this notorious fact Gladstone
has not one word to say. He devotes no
part OF his letter 10 a review OF the sltu-
alton. TO consideration OF the real motives
animating the powers or 10 a suggestion
arising from his long ministerial expert
enee as TO the course England should pur-
sue. England is doing all now that Glad
stone advocates which is an expression
OF sympathy with Greece and Crete, and
a declaration OF determination to check
Turkish atrocities In Armenia and among
other Christians In her dominions.
The question Is not. shall Crete be freed
from Turkey. but is England prepared for
a desperate war with Russia? Russia
does not sympathize with Turkish atroci-
ties or desire TO uphold Turkish sover-
eighty In Europe. Russia desires only a
pretext for seizing Constantinopls and
opening Up the Bosphorus. IL England
conceded this. the Turkish empire would
fall TO pieces and the Mussuiman be quick
iy driven from Europe. But 1t would be
violent backdown for Great Britain.
Should 1t happen. all thought OF Crete
would be lost. and all recollection OF
Gladstone's eloquent plea for Greece
would be Swallowed into darkness in the
great blaze OF Indignation which would
sweep over England.
The irresponsible poetry OF the Greek
scholar would not suffice 20 save Sails
bury from political death II he followed
rs rhapsodies. and either yielded 10 Russia
or plunged his country into a disastrous
war. Gladstons refers TO the long strug-
gle of Crete Tor independence. That
struggle began long before Mr.. Gladstone
became prime minister. and has continued
Internationally throughout the years he was
in power. clothed with all The authority
Lord salisbury has now. Yet Mr.. Glad
ston. did not raise q hand or Jeopsrdizs
his official position by attempting. under
far more favorable circumstances, 10 do
what ne now tsunts his political rival
with not doing The time 70 have aided
Crete without jeonaraizinx the national
honor was within few years after the
Franco-German war. when none OF the
powers was In a position to effer armed
resistance. or when any OF the present
jeaiousies had been fomsntsd by contro-
vsrsy.
TIE transfer Of Crete would not very
materially strengthen Greece or impair
Turkeys strength. u would not affect
in any way Russias plan for a Mediter-
ranean outlet. u would have far less
effect upon the interests OF European gov
ernmenss than the cession OF Cyprus to
Great Britain. yet this triumph OF dipgo-
macy was accomplished without a shot
being 0red. because !, Was undertaken
AZ an opportuns time.
Tats IS not an opportune time for En-
gland % attempt 70 force Turkey 10 yield
gp the island 70 Greece. and Lord Sails
bury knows ~. Gisdstone should know it,
eut that he has always. except when n
once himself. presented only the senti-
mental and never the practical side OF a
controversy. Ho pursued the same course
Win regard 20 Ireland. His speeches whia
out CO orsce were no less liberal ana elo-
oueng Ga tse subject o. freland's wrongs
ana struggles than On these O. Crete. yet
Nhen - reached The hish o-scs 70 which
those speeches elevated aim Re accom-
piishea less practical reform 81 tas
tslsna's condition than al TIE Tory min
is,rx which had Promised 40 much less.
Interesting as any contribution raase Nv
Gladstone musg 10 Is aey discussion. IL
ansst se admitted. even ~ those wAo al
nirs ais regard toc natural justice. that
&c has not aided any information BY rs
letter, ner AFFORDED airy suggestions by
wsicA clearer 'ns.gat into the rrsslem
ear he hss