The morning times., 1897-03-08
THE WASHINGTON GREEKS.
Half of Them Ready to Respond to
the Kings Call.
The Uprising in Crete the Work
Of the National Society, Pa
triotic Greek Organization.

There are very few Greeks in Washing
they are exceedingly patriotic, for out
OF the sixty Greeks in the city, perhaps
one-half of them are peady to obey the
call Of the king to arms.
One OF the hest-posted men in this coun-
try on the Eastern question is Prof.
Daniel Quinn, OF the Catholic University
In an interview with Times reporter
last night, he gave an interesting review
of the historical events leading up to the
present difficulty.
1--WE must go back to the war of inde-
pendence, which began in 1921 he said,
Ito find the genesis Of present conditions
The province Of Macedonia and the Island
OF Crete participated in that struggle.
That portion OF the sutan's donlinions S
Which composes the present Kingdom of
Greece was freed, but Crete and Mace
douia continued under the obnoxious rule
of Turkey. The people of Greece, CRATE
full for the assistance they received from
the Cretans and Macedonians, will not
rest easy until those people are as free as
themselves.
About year ago the National So
ciety was formed for the purpose of en-
comprising this end. The intention OF the
society was to start simultaneous uprising
in Macedonia and Crete this spring. 1t
conductea its work with such prudence
and secrecy that the OUTSIDE world was
wholly in the dark as to what was go
ing on If it had not been for mishan
everything would have come to pass in
the manner designed, but an accident pre-
cipitated the uprising in Crete several
weeks before the appointed time.
"The powers have given Greece until
4 O'Clock tomorrow To eyacuate the island.
1t is not probable they will do So ex cc pit
in one contingency. ii the powers agree
to submit the question Of annexation with
Greece to vote OF the Cretans and to
abide by the results, the Greek troops
may be withdrawn. If not, 1t is difficult
to tell what will happen.
The result of submission can easily
be lima gined when it is remembered that
the Greeks in Crete outnumber the Mussul.
mans by about eight to one.
The Cretans are opposed to the propo-
sition of autonomy, first, because similar
promises have been made before and not
fulfilled, but chiefly because the oject
dear to their hearts is a union with the
mother country
In reference to the progress Greece has
made since her release from Turkish rule,
Prof Quinn said:
Their progress has been remarkable,
Nothing could illustrate il better than the
growth OF Athens. In the early part OF this
century 1t was a looking and
squalid town, possessing none of the ear
-,
of few historic buildings. Today it is a
very pretty city OF 100, 600 population, con
stanuy improving in appearance.
Through the country good roads have
been constructed at a large expense The
soil in most parts OF the kingdom is poor,
although there are many fertile portions
devoted to grape culture. The Grecian
raisins are the fines. in the world They
ire sun-dried, this being rendered. possible
by long periods Of warm, dry weather.
Crete far exceeds the peninsula in the fer
tilIty of her soil l t is one of the garden
spots Of the universe.
The Greeks, like most people living in
mountainous countries, have great ply sical
endurance. They are naturally yalorous,
fervid in temperament, and intensely patri-
otic. They are fond of the sea and many
OF them make their livelihood by fishing
Greece's merchant marine is large for 50
small country, aud while confined chiefly
to the Mediterranean, her small trading
vessels can be found in every portion OF
that sea-
Professor Quinn also said thai while the
Greeks are very averse to Turkish rule
many Greeks have held and are now hold
ing high positions under the Turkish en-
pire. This he attributed to the distaste
which exists among the Turks for politics
and diplomacy. AS an illustration of this
he cited the fact that Mavroyeni Bey, ex-
minister to this country, is a Greek, while
the secretary Of the legation, Norighian
Effendi, is an Armenian, and is married to
a Greek wife
Owing to the smallncss Of the Greek popu-
lation in this city that country has no
representative in Washington. There are
two consul generals, D. n. Botassi, at New
York, and Charles Hutchinson, at Chicago.
Most of the Greeks in this country reside
in those cities.