New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-09
THE ISLAND OF CRETE.


10 contribute TO the maintenance Of peace and
10 save from utter ruin the population Of an
island put ID so severe trial and so often
decimated.
We believe that the new regime OF autonomy
adopted by the Powers unhappily cannot cor
respond 10 noble intentions that inspired
It, and that II will suffer the fate of the diff
terent administrative systems which at var-
Gus times and without success have been tried
in Crete
This is not the first time that Crete finds her
self in a state OF insurrection. In recent times.
more than six occasions. the horrors OF
anarchy have shaken and imperilled her ex-
.stence
If then. the new regime with which 1t is pro-
posed 20 endow her is not calculated 10 re-estab-
lish order in a defnitive manner. the Greek Gov
ernment cannot doubt the impossibility Of putting
an end by any means Of il TO the present state
OF revolution. Anarchy will continue TO ravage
the country with fire and sword in its hands
blind faaa ticism will continue hs destructive
work OF exterminatng a people which assuredly
does not deserve such fate.
Before such a prospect our responsibility
would be enormous II we did not most earnestly
urge the Powers not insist upon the scheme OF
autonomy proposed. but rather 10 restore 10
Crete what she already had the time OF the
enfranchisement Of the other provinces which
form the Kingdom Of Greece. and TO lead her back
70 Greece, to which she belonged since Capodis-
trias President
in the presence Of the recent scenes Of massa-
ere pillage and confagration in Canea in the
prescnce Of the frightful anguish TO which the
Inhabitants OF Crete have been exposed and
nnenaced by the boundless fury Of the Mussul-
fnl he a..
OF Christian families for Greece. which has al
WAYS been a providential refuge for all these
miserable beings. our whole country was torn
with remorse for the responsibility II assumed
last year in inducino -he Cretans TO lay down
their arms. The misfortunes that resulted ior-
bid US 10 undertake such task again and II W.
had attempted IL our voice would certainly have
been feeble. Its echo would not have reacheo
the Cretan people
1T being the case, therefore. that new re-
gine Of autonomy could not fulfil the noble aim
OF the Powers II is obvious what would be the
situation OF the unhappy island from to-day until
the establishment of this regime.
IF the Powers believe Il TO be their duty 70
persevere in their resolutions. with the above
views and in the name Of ~ nanity' as well as
in the interest Of the islarA the pacifcaton OF
which is the unique object Of the solcitude OF the
Powers, We 90 not hesitate 10 appeal 70 them on
the subject OF the other measures. namely, the
recall Of our military forces Indeed If because
OF the presence Of the united squadrons in Gre
tan waters ard in the conviction that these
squadrons will not permit Turkish troops 10 dis
embark on the island the presence also Of all
the ships OF the Greek feet off Crete is judged 10
be unnecessary. the presence OF the Greek army
on the island is nevertheless shown TO be desir-
bc of hi
In the interests Of the dehnitive re-estabshment
OF order.
Our duty specially forbids US TO abandon the
Cretan people t. the mercy " Mussuman fanat-
icsm and the Turkish army. which at all times
has deliberately and Intentionally participated
in The aggressive acts OF the popuace against
the Christians. Above sn II troops on the
island. who are worthy Of all the confidence Of
the Powers. had received a mandate TO pacify
the country their desires and intentions would
have received promptly The most perfect salts
faction. II would be then after the re-establsh-
rnent Of order that ii would be possible TO learn
the desires freely expressed. Of the Cretan peo-
pie for decision 10 their fate
THE sorrows which have recurred regularly
IN Crete for many decades past, not only do
not occur without profoundly agitating the
Hellenic people but they also interrupt social
activity and gravely disturb the economy and
finances Of the State. Even II we admit that 1t
would be possible 10 forget for instant that
we share the common religion OF the Cretan
people, that we are of the same race and bound
pS ues OF blood. We coIld not in silence allow
'he fowers 10 assume that the Greek State Is
aDe any longer to resist such shocks
ror this reason We appeal TO the generous
sentiments anmatng the Powers. and beg them
10 permit the Cretan people themselves to de-
care now they desire to be governed
"sKOUZES."
A"e chronicle" adds high authority that
Ae "feeH ENJOYS abroad have been instructed
" receipt OF the reply, 10 inform the govern
.'ehts TO which they are accredited that Greece
prepared TO recognize the temporary suzer-
.,. 'y OF the sultan. to withdraw her feet COM
Seiy' ana to place the Greek army In COM
.no OF any military representative OF the
o"ers senior in rank to Colonel yassos. for
'''ns order In the island. If the Powers are