New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-13
THE GPFFES AND THE POWERS.

THE GREENS AND THE fo"EhH'
The Crctan problem is one of the most vexa-
tious that have confronted European diplomacy
for a long time. 1t is so because the sympa-
thies of the Powers are largely with the very
party whose conduct they are compeiicu Oh
technical grounds to disapprove ana perhaps
forcibly TO resist Crete has been shalneiui'!
misgoverned. OF that there is no question:
and while her people are now enjoying res
pitc from oppression and some Administrative
reforms are under way. ii is difficult to plaihe
Them for not being cOntented with Turkish
rule and for not accepting AT their face value
Turkish promises of better things. Crete ought
10 belong TO Greece. politically, as IT does MS
torlcaly geographically. by race. language ana
religion. OF that there is no question: elmer
and II is that which both Crete and Greece are
now trying 10 effect. In declaring that she Is
acting OH the ground of duty toward fellow
believers and fellow Greeks, Greece is exactly
following the example frequently set by Rus
STA. although Russia now critcises her for 1t.
There u.s. however such a thing as going
about the right thing IN the wrong way, and
that. It must be confessed Is what the revolu-
tionists appear TO be doing at the present time.
There seems TO be little doubt that the disturb
tim Cretans and their allies in Greece, with
out provocaliOn by the Turks or by the Ma
bometan Cretans It has been said that the
last-named folk began the troubles, in order
10 prevent the carrying out of Governmental re-
ferns. That, however is hardly credible. HAD
l. been so, the Christians should. and doubtless
would. have complained and protested TO the
Powers They did not do so. The expressions
toad,
forms were actually being executed. though
slowly. The island was IN the enjoyment Of
peace and Of a greater degree Of justice than
for many years There was, moreover
practically prospect of peaceful union with
Greece In the near future. The downfall of
the Turkish Empire in Europe was impending
Crete had only to he patient and Greece TO be
discreet, and the longdeslred union would be
effected in the final partition Of the Sick Mans
effects And it was not unreasonable TO de-
mand such patience. since the Cretans We're
really in pretty comfortable situation.
But patience is an obsolete word in the Greek
lexicon. knowing that an uprising in Mace
donia was in preparation for the present month,
and that affairs at COnstantinople itself were
in a critical condition. the Greeks. both inSu-
lar and peninsuar. determined to force the
l. and of Europe by precipitating crisis. The
Christian Cretans rose in rebellion. They were
we'll armed and vastly outnumbered the Ma
hometan Crctaus and Turkish garrisons put to-
gcthcr. and were sure of success if left TO them
selves. Greece, Of course, took immediate In
tcrcSt in the movement, having been privy TO
il in advance. and sent warshps thithcr Tur-
key naturally proposed TO send reinforcements
TO her garrisOns. Greece announced her deter
mination to prevent Turkey from doing so, and
sent more ships, with the Kings in COM
nand. The Cretans proclaimed union with
Greece. and the Greek Government declared its
sympathy with and readiness TO assist them in
making the union an accomplished fact.
SO the case stands to-day. IL Turkey does
not send renfOrCements. rs II is now reported
she will not the Christian Cretans will soon
make an end of Turkish rule in the island, and
an end Of the Turkish garrisOns and goodly
share Of the NlahOmctan Cretans TO boot. If
she does send them. tie Greek fleet will fOrci-
bly, resist their landing. and that will be war.
The question is. Can the Great Powers afford
10 let such war occur at this time? 1t would
certainly undo all the arduous diplomatic
work of the last year at Constantinople, and
make the confusion there, which has Just been
brought TO an approximate semblance of order,
COMPOUNDED worse than ever. Moreover, there
would surely be another simultaneous war in
Macedonia; and that would inevitably drag
Austria Hungary into II to protect her interests
in the Vardar Valley and at Salonica; and with
her in it. the other Great Powers could not hold
themselves aloof, and we should have the long
threatened general European war, the end of
which no man could see. With such dire pos
sibilites before them. il seems altogether prob
able that the Powers will find some means TO
restrain the aggressive ardor of the Greeks
II may be by peaceful means, by promising in
terms the cession OF Crete in the near future
1t may be by actual coercion Of Greece, such
as was employed only few years ago Or it
may be by consraining Turkey to remain
passive and let Greece annex Crete at once.
which would perhaps be the best plan of ALL
At any rate, II does not seem conceivable
that they will let themselves be abruptly
plunged into incalcuabe troubles by the i'm
patience and indiscretion Of a minor Power Of
their own creation.