Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
Greece. Crete, and "The POwers-
New Word for Russia and Austria
For the Dispatch)


One need not be a disciple of Goodwin
Smith for him 10 doubt. very seriously
whether "ths Powers that be-" who are
now towering so threateningly around
Greece and crete. ARE ordained or Gou'
IL was not at very great distance lhenCs
that the poet Virgil placed the scene ol
those voracious HarpiSs who pTeyed 50
cruelty upon sea-tossed Aeneas ana MS
companions. ~
These modern Harpies. with al me
most approved appliances of beIilcose
civilization instead of beakS ana ta!ohs'
are hungering for the carcass OF Turkey
but apprehensive in regard TO the snare
Of each in this coveted piece or spo4'
they threaten Greece and Crete, who are
striving to promote liberty. justice, and
humanity.
But the reviviied classic land of Scion,
Iycurgus, and Epaminondas has as
founded some OF them by Throwing INTO
their teeth word new practically 20
them, but fraught with a tremendous sig
niflcance. Her proposition 70 them was
that, after the intervening nations hau
taken control Of crete, 1t should be al
lowed TO settle its oTn dostny by lhe
ballot! Such an idea was we'll calculated
to carry dismay into several OF the courts
OF Europe, and yet even their future MIS-
tory will have 10 become more or less
familiar with e. Russia has no such
word or thought, as ballot in her auto
cratic vocabulary. Tho reactionary and
would-be despotic Emperor OF Germany
would gladly erase II from his Lexicon,
but there are friends enough OF liberty IN
his seethlng domuions, not only 10 re-
tain the word. but expound It's meaning
and its application. Austria finds such a
dangerous term wholly unwelcome 10 her.
fNta IA fHH1 10 %
since she has bad TO deal with Garibaldi,
Victor Emanuel, and France. France mas
not been afraid OF plebiscites Of the whole
republic. and has even voted for an en-
peror. England has long been accustom-
ed 20 the right OF suffrage, which she has
been Compelled TO largely extend, and
Will have TO go further yet.
IL the Cretans can be allowed 10 vote
In regard TO their condition in the midst
OF their menaclng and complicated en-
yironment, a Russian may come TO ask
why he cannot exercise a similar priyi-
lege. Indeed he is already asking II;
and the number OF such Querists n Rus
sia Is rapidly increasing. She IS destined
10 play a tremendous part In the future
history OF Europe and Of Asia. She VIII
dispense a large amount OF harsh and
severe rubbing at home and abroad. but
will also encounter "the rubs." From
this powerful atlrltlOn sDe Will pIODd-
bly receive more benefit than she will
bestow. Ever at the present time, whilst
still reaching out for his long -desired
southern gateway 10 the world, the Car
should not underrate the fact that he
realization OF his Wish will bring him
into closer contact with enlightened pep
plss who enjoy the ballot and have i'm
posed Fixed constitutional restraints upon
their rulers, even when they may be
hereditary.
In Greece, though she has King, the
people are accustomed 10 elections and
10 free discussions relating 20 them.
Since 1921 she has been contending FOR
her liberties with a bravery worthy Of
her classic age and IL ready for battle
now. though near 800 foreign warshlps
OF no ordinary calibre. are WITHIN easy
reach of her barbors. 20 parayze . rr arm
and bolster up for another term OF years
a medieval Sultan. whom those re-
straining Powers would gladly crush II
they could satisfactorily quarter and
divide him.
Byron, who gave bis life for the Liberties
OF this land OF Homer, once said:
s'Tis Greece. but living Greece no more"
But he also said:
ssThe mountains look on Marathon,
And Marathon looks on the sea;
And musing there an hour alone
I dreamed that Greece might yet be
free"
0rAsas 10 free. and may she continue TO