New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-03
THE POLICY YOFGREATBRITAIN
QUESTIONS ASKED IN BOTH HOUSES OF
PARLIAMENT.
WHAT rs MEANT BY AUTONOMY IN GRIFFIN
TEREsTs OF THE CRETANs TO BE coNsiD-
FRED-A CEFTAN BLUE BOOK.


rEREsrs OF THE cRETANs TO BE coNsiD-
ERED-A cKETAN BLUE BOOK.
London, March 2-In the House OF Commons
to-day Mr.. G. y. Curzon, Under Foreign Secre-
tary read kilograms received from the British
Consul at Canea saying that the Mussulinans III
the island OF Crete had declared that they would
not consent TO a union OF Crete with Greece, and
placed high hopes on the action of the Great
Powers to prevent 1t.
The Admiral commanding the British warshps
in Cretan waters Mr. Curzon said, telesraphed
that the flags which hoisted at Selino. Nan
damos and Ekritons show that those towns are
under the protection Of the Powers. The MOS
lens at those places. however, are In great Dan
ger of being massa red The dispatch added
that report was in circulation that Christians
were exterminating Mosems wherever they
went.
Sir William Harcourt raised debate on the
s.oterant made bv Lord Salisbury in the House
Of Lords on February 25. regarding the policy
which the Government intended 10 pursue IN re-
gard 70 Crete involving the autonomy OF mat
island and the withdrawal Of Turkish and Greek
naval and military forces. and threat 10 use
force In the event OF the refusal Of Greece or
Turkey to withdraw its forces when required 10
do so He began by asking whether the fo"e''
had assented TO the proposals. and' pursuihe ''
subject inquired how far it was beleVeu 'ha' ''ie
autonomy OF the island would ria the lsahu "a
Turkish rule which was the cause OF the present
evil.
Mr. Curz,n said that the Powers would not
allow Crete to be taken out OF their hanus as ''
arrival OF the Greek forces upon the island had
Axcited the Christians and infuriated the MOS
lens. u.u
The House debated the Cretan question un'i'
midnight A long speech was nlaue DS '
William Vernon-Harcourt. the leader OF 'i'e i'''
sroi marty but It consisted merely Of eloquent
rhetorical plattudes. He created the HhPie'
sion IN the lobbies that he had been requested
by the Government 10 treat the question ginger
w as the situation is too critical for outspoken-
Mr. Arthur J. Balfour. the Government leader
l., .ho 11ousa said that by autonomy for Crete
the Government meant that. subject to the su-
-era,ntv Of Turkey. the Porte would be pow
erless TO intervene in the local affairs or the ISL
ard The Cretans would certainly be enabled 10
anroint a Christian Governor. II the isiand
sbould he handed over 10 Greece. II would not aga
ar io-a 70 its freedom while. on the other hahd
It's transfer would imperil the whole peace oi
Eastern Europe. Greece, he added, hau attdnTI
her object and If she acted iurther she ~ ~WouIG
solely by pure motives.
Mr., John Morley, formerly Chief Secretary for
Ireland. said he believed that to conPea s s,and
would endanger peace. He regarded the Gov
ernment's scheme with doubt and dissatisiac-
ton and feared that they were only now pc
ginning what would prove a most iorHiiuaoie
series of transactions. -
At the close Of the debate Sir William mar
court said division would he contrary 10 the me
interests Of Crete, and he therefore withdrew his
motion that the House adjourn which ne had
made in order TO furnish an opportunity LOT the
debate.
In the House OF Lords today the Earl OF Kim
berley raised debate upon the subject or Lord
Sallsburys statement of February % by ASKING
questions similar 70 those asked by Sir Willla'n
Harcourt IN the House OF Commons, addlng thdt MAJ
in his opinion II would have been wiser 10 JON
Crete with Greece than 10 give the lsianu al
autonomous administration.
Lord Salisbury replied that the proposals So
ting forth the policy ii was Intended 10 pursue
in Crete had been adopted by the Powers though
that part relating to the withdrawal OF the Turk
ish troops had met with some opposition. Ihey
must consider he said. the interests OF The Gre
tans and take into account the question Mhelhel
they desired 10 become a part or the heIlenl-
Erirgdono Moreover they must sympathize vita
those wider views which favored the preserva-
ton Of the paramount blessings OF f;uI n a.
peace views that had greatly influenced the ma
fions in deciding upon the granting or autonomy
10 the island which would be efrectual ana mean
the withdrawal Of the arbitrary power OF the
Sultan. .,. -. o.,,o- -oo-s
the House adjourned ~ nj.
Tba Governnent has issued a Creta1 Blue
pook covering the period between February.
1So5 and September 1896 which shows that
count Goluchowskis proposal TO blockade the
ri~aa,s IN the event OF the refusal Of Greece 10
obev the terms Of the collective note OF the Pow
ers bv putting a stop TO the importation or arms
and forwarding Of volunteers INTO crete mas
etaadIv been opposed by Lord Salisbury. The
contention Of the British Premier was thai II
would be very unfair 10 employ the fleets OF the
Powers against the Greeks wnl.e InfreIg Pursu, SUI
ing a policy OF diplomatic protest against the
cnI.an The granting Of autonomy to Crete was
advocated by Lord Salisbury as far back as sep,
ter,ber when he declared that England could
onIv ton IN coerc.ng Greece in the event OF that
I,nedonn making a demonstration menacing the
Integrity Of the Turkish empire
r,,r pOyTEPS DEMANDS ON GREECE.