Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-04
TIE lsLANp OF UREIE.
Its History, Geographical importance and
Futile Fight for Freedom.

Its History, GeographicaI importance and
Futile Fight for Freedom.
baltimore sun.
The eyes of the civilized world are
turned just now toward I'm island in
the Aegean sea which has played an
important part in history. Since the
year 1000 before the Christian era,
when it was conquered by the Dorians,
IT has been something of foot ball Tor
the display of the pedestrial muscles OF
the Powers, East and West, and
why the little thing has not been bat
tered to pieces ere this is wonder OF
wonders Crete, orCandia, was divided
by its first coneuerors into independent
republics, whose constitutions resem-
bled very closely those of Sparta. and
for awhile. il its early fragmentary
history informs us correctly, there was
degree of prosperity attending it's
national life. but before tho island was
conquered by the Romans, in 81 Il. c.,
the CIetans became proverbial!y de-
generate. When tho partition of the
Roman empire. occurred Crete came
under Eastern influence and dominion.
ln the ninth century, about 1923 A.
D., 1T was conquered by tho Saracens,
and after the conquest Of CONSTANT
nople by the Crusaders it was sold to
the Venetians in the early part of the
thirteenth century. For several hum
dred years the Venetians ruled the
island with ability and vigor. Many
unsuccessful attempts were made by
the Genoese and Turks to dispossess
them, until, in 1863, the latter took
possession. This century has witnessed
stormy times on the island, and the
rsstlessness of the Cretans has shown
itself by repeated rebelliuns and insur.
rections against their rulers. There
are about $50, GOO Christians (of the
Greek Church. and GO,000 Moham-
medans M the island, and they exer-
else toward each other the bitterest
| antipathy. The Partially of the
Turkish government for the followers
| OF Mahomet does not have a tendency
to sweeten the bitterness between the
opposing classes. and since the Turks
came into possession thsre has been
one clash after another. lIy order of
| tho Sultan, MUhammedan ami Chris.
tian delAgates came to Constantinople
in 1857 TO express the wishes of the
| people, but what influence have the
wishes of the people on the ruler of the
| Ottoman empire unless he has a pur.
1
pected, this delegation from Crete
effected nothing, and few months
later joint communication from
France, Russia, Prussia End Italy
urged suspension of bustiities unit
joint commission Of the Powers and
the Porte could inquire into the
grievances OF the Cretaus, which
4 proposition was Indignantly rejected
by the Turkish government. In all 81
Il these troubles the Cretans have looked
TO the Greeks HI their natural allies,
forsyears 1T has been an open secret
that these islanders were determined
at the first favorable opportunity, t.
annex themselves to Greece, ant
serious complications between Turke,
aud Greece were only settled by con
ference of the Powers in 1860.
The helping hands of the great power
have been extended more than once o
late to aid Turkey in critical moment
why is this? Tho explanation is two
fold. Turkey is buttress state, stand
ing between Russia on the Black Sea
Austria !, in the north, France, Ital,
and Great Britain On the est or Medi
terranean side, and while all of thes
powers admit that Turkey should b
, vanquished, the question arises, VIII
is to Lave the spoils? Again, Turke
is largely indebted to bankers an,
money. lenders in many oflthe Europea
States, and these men want TO knot
who are to be the paymasters il II
cruel government is disbanded. AM
80 the Turk, hiding behind the Turks
bondholders and playing on the jealous
, OF the European nations. deals a
he pleases with the Cretars an
] Armenians. T.
] Under pressure from tho great mower
the insurgents in Crete submitted (
, the Sultan's government again in 1863
! tho Greek Patriarch, in pastoral
urged the Christian Cretans to peace
the island was restored to tranouilit
and all the ports were reopened. FroI
this time the islani has been goyerne
by a pasha, who is both military an
civi! goNernor, and he is assisted b
/ two councillors-una Turkish and til
other Christian. The island is divide
1 into i've provinces ana these are con
posed of 90 districts, each Of whic
/, sends to the General Assembly fou
members who are elected by the peopit
The Assembly, which sits annual
. for 4o days. IS presided over by til
Y governor general, VINO gets his ordei
uIIectjy lFuui Sunstantln0ple.
y On landing at Canea one is impresso
by the mountainous character OF ii
n island. Throughout Its entire lengt
. it is centrally ridged by a chain ,
u mountains. which selds off to the sout
spurs terminating IN bluffs, while
a the north the mountains gradual
slope 10 low coast, forming sever
II excellent harbors, tie principal ,
which are Canea, latino, Gambia ar
n Snda. There are many curious cav,
and grottoes in the mountains
calcareous formation, and here was IL
st famous labyrinth OF the Minotau
which was probably one of these gro
e toes. made more intricate by the art
"a baedalus under the direction of Mino
r Not moro than one third OF the >islar
IL under cultivation. Agriculture
70 greatly neglected olives, raisins, fig
almonds and other fruits that requi
little cultivation arc in abundanc
but special attention is paid to sill
raising.