The National tribune., 1897-02-18
THE CRErAN OUTBREAK.

THE CRETAN OUTBREAK.
Crete, called Gambia by the Italians
and Kriti by the Turks, is an island 1876
miles long, and from seven to 80 miles
wide, lying 60 miles south of the south
ern extremity of Greece and 10 miles
southwest of Cape Krio, in Asia Minor.
Its area is put at 1926 square miles, or
two-thirds the size of the State of
Connecticut. It is one of the largest
islands in the Mediterranean Sea, and
from its strategical position one of the
most important.
The island is one of the most famous
spots in history. 1t was considered by
the ancient Greeks as the birthplace of
the gods and the home Of Zeus.
Homer made it famous in poetry, and
Paul and Titus visited it, as appears In
the Acts of the Apostles. Its ancient
inhabitants were of Greek origin and a
maritime people, who rivaled the
Phenicians in the commerce OF the
Mediterranean. The island was also
celebrated for its institutions, the laws
of King Minos being regarded as the
probable inspiration of those of Scion.
At any rate, its cities were certainly
centers of ancient learning and social
and commercial progress.
The people maintained their indie
pendence till 81 B. c., when the Romans
finally conqured them. The island was
occupied in succession by the Saracens,
and various Greek Emperors after the
establishment of Constantinople, until
1905 A. d., when it fell into the hands of
the Venetians, who held it for some 400
wears. 1t was taken from Venice by
the Turks in 1869, and has remained
subject to the Porte ever since, although
during the Greek revolution, from 1880
to 1910, it was administered by the
Viceroy of Egypt by order Of the
European Powers. There have been
repeated instructions, notably those OF
1859 and 1866, and in 1868 greater
freedom was granted to the island, since
| which time the domination of Turkey
has been little more than nominal. The
island has been ruled by Governor
appointed by the Porte, who has usually
been native Greek Christian, although
the present Governor is Roman Catho-
lie, a native of Albania.
In physical characteristics the island
is mountainous with fertile valleys and
elevated plains. There are two princi
pal ranges or groups of mountains
the White Mountains, in the western
part of the island, and the group o.
which Mount Ida is the apex in thu
center. Both these ranges rise t.
hight of about 5000 feet, and ART
always snow-capped. The northern
coast is indented with several large har
bors, the most important of which ar
the bays of Suda, one of the best in tn
Mediterranean, Canea, Retimo ant
Mirabel. On the south coast there
only one important bay, that of Messars
The chief products of the island ar
wheat, fruits, olive oil and wool. II
lemons and oranges are famous, and SUI
ply the cities of Greece and CONSTANT
nople. The grapes OF the Island al
abundant, but the wine is not in hig
> repute in modern times, although unde
Venetian rule the Malmsey, which was
Cretan product, was greatly esteeme
throughout Europe. The wool is of
o low Grade Int the fIocks numerou
The leading manufacture is soap. II
forests have mostly disappeared, a
though the cypress still grows on tt
mountains and the olive on the plain
The only native wild animal of in
portance is goat resembling the ibe.
:. There are no serpents, blessing a
tributed by the inhabitants to the int
oo,;t;o, of pau1,c friand Tifus who