New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-10
THE CPETiT Troubles.

The outbreak in Crete Is unqueslonably
snr,ous but il is one which will be regarded
with little patience by the world. II seems 20
have been entirely uncalled for. Since last
years settlement there have been no grievances
10 complain Of. or none jusifying n resort 10
aims The Turkish Government conceded 10
the Cretans practically all they demanded, and
set TO work in good faith TO execute the re-
forms. Unfortunately II was rather slow in re-
on organizing the gendarmery. In fact ali It has
50 far done in that direction has been 10 deter
mine-or 10 accept tho decision Of The Ambassa
doris of the Powers-that the commander of the
Lew corps should he either a Belgian or n Iiol-
lander and that for q nucleus Of the corps one
hundred men should be recruited in each Of the
three states Of Bulgaria, Bosnia and Monte
negro.
With the old gendarmcry discredted and the
new nor yet formed, there was n splendid OPP
portunity for the turbulent Cretan Christians
TO resume marrying the Cretan Mahometans
and they have apparently improved 1t with
characteristic zeal. Emissaries from Greece
have also been busy fomenting disturbances
and organizing a movement for immediate an
nexation of the island TO Greece. The sending
Of Greek ships of war TO Canea followed "a IA
matter of course. Ostensibly TO protect Greek
subjects. but with an Interior purpose pretty
we'll betrayed by their neglect promptly 10
give the customary salute 10 the Turkish flag.
OF course. Turkey will send more ships thither
and so will the Great Powers and so all the
elements of minor European war are pro-
vided and placed in perous proximity.
Greece would of course, be no match for
Turkey in war. On land she would be over
whcmed by an army five times the size of her
own. and not inferior TO il. TO say the least.
in valor and endurance. At sea- also. Turkey
would probably prove the stronger, her feet
being much larger than that Of Greece, though
older and less efficient. ship for ship. The case
would he vastly complicated. however, by
general revolt in Macedonia. which has been in
preparation for some time and which would
certainly come a. soon as war over Crete be-
gan In it both Scrvia and Bulgaria would
take n hand, and Austria Hungary would be-
forced 10 do the same unless she willing
10 abandon her long-chcrished designs upon
Salonica. which is not TO be conceived
The chances are, therefore, with such posi-
bililcS Of widespread trouble following hos
tilies between Greece AID Turkey. that the
Great Powers will intervene 10 keep the peace.
They did with strong hand few years
ago. when Greece became oyerbell gerent and
they have really more cans" for doing now
than they had then. II is impossible. OF course.
1Ot TO sympathiz" with Creek desires to annex
Crete. which properly belongs 10 Greece ana 10
reclaim all the provinces in which the Greek
race predoninates. But such desires are not 10
be gratihcd AT The cost Of n general European
war. Patience is II quality the Greeks have
need TO cultivate aud which they might cult
vate in this particular instance with good grace
since their Cretan companions are not suffer
ing oppression. bui are very much better Off
than they haN' hrcn for many years