Smyrna times., 1897-03-03
The British Plan for Crete.

Lord Salisbury's proposal for the
settlement of the Cretan question will
prove more acceptable to the majority
OF the Cretan people than to the mill
tant party in Greece. To the latter
indeed, it will scarcely be at all ac-
ceptable. They want immediate and
absolute annexation of Crete to Greece
and will be satisfied with nothing less.
Nor is their desire unnatural or nm
Just Crete ought to belong to Greece.
But there is a serious obstacle in the
way of the immediate fulfllment Of
that desire, namely, the determination
OF Germany and Russia that Crete
shall not belong to Greece. Those
two Powers would, if they could have
their way, force Crete back under the
unabated despotism of Turkey. Now
let 1t be granted that Greece could
take Crete, and could successfully de-
tend Thessaly against the Turks. and
indeed vanquish Turkey in war. if
left to herself. The fact remains that
she would not be left to herself. Ger
many and Russia are actually prepar-
ing to take up arms against her in be-
half Of Turkey. To imagine that
Greece could for a moment hold her
ground against Germany, Russia and
Turkey united is, of course, madness.
The British plan is a compromise.
and is probably the best that can be
devised. 1t provides for the with
drawal of both the Greek and the
Turkish troops from Crete, and the
absolute autonomy of the island under
a Governor appointed by the Powers.
The island would still be nOminallv q
part OF the Turkish Empire, lust as
Bulgaria, Herzegovina, Bosnia, Samos.
ana Egypt are, but it would be entirely
free from Turkish rule of anv kind as
they are. 1t would enjoy peace. pros
perlty. good government, Justice. Its
ultimate disposition would still be in
doubt, but the conduct of Greece
would have an important and perhaps
determining influence uponit. Thus |
Bulgaria, having placed itself under
husslan tutelage, is doubtless des |
tined to become a Russian province.
Bosnia, Herzegovina and Novi-Bazar |
are under an Austrian Governor and |
will one day belong to Austria. Egypt |
Will IN like manner probably become |
British territory. If Greece. bv dis |
Greet diplomacy, can get Greek |
Prince appointed Governor of Crete |
she will in course of time secure full |
possession OF that island; and her best |
chance OF getting such an appoint
~ Mleht hes IN her ready acquiescence in |
the demands of the Powers.
Lord Salisbury's proposal is clearly
IN the interest OF Crete and of Greece
Just as was his positive refusal last year
to JOIN IN blockading the Cretan coast.
IL may be resented by the moro hot
headed OF the Greeks, and will doubt
less be branded by Anglophobes as a
support of Turkey. The British Gov
ernment ls endeavOring to rid Crete at
once OF the horrors of domestic anarchy
and OF Turkish oppression, and at the
same time to make way for Greece to
retire from her present position with
out humiliation. 1t is thus proving
itself, as In former occasions, the best
friend of the Greece race. That its
pan Will De accepted by the Powers is /
earnestly to be hoped; that it will be
accepted by Greece is to be expected.
For, if not, what will occur? Russia,
Turkey and Germany will unite to
crush Greece, and Greece will be
crushed by them unless Great Britain,
Italy and France come to her aid; and
for them or any of them to do so would
mean a general European war of stu
pendous magnitude. OF course, there
is the alternative that Russia and Ger
many will back down and let Greece
have her way; but that is too improb-
able for consideration. Surely it is
better for Greece to postpone the com
plete fultilment of her desires than for
her to be crushed by the Great Pow
ers or than for there to be general
European war.