Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-02-25
THE ISLAND OF CRETE.
Its History, Geographical Importance
and Futile Fight for freedom.

The eyes of the civilized world are
tnrned just now toward an island in the
Aegean sea which has played an impor-
tant part in history. Since the year 1000
before the Christian era, when il was
conquered by the Dorians, it has been
| something of a football for the display
OF the pedestrial muscles of the pow
ers," East and West, and why the little
thing has not been battered to pieces
ere this is a wonder of wonders. Crete.
or Gambia, was divided by its conquer
ors into independent republics, whose
constitutions resembled very closely
those of Sparta, and for awhile, if its
early fragmentary history informs us
correctly, there was degree of prosper
ity attending its national life, but before
the island was conquered by the Ro-
mans, in 81 b. c., the Cretans became
proverbially degenerate When the par
tition of the Roman empire occurred
Crete came under Eastern influence and
dominion.
In the ninth century, about 1913 4. D..
it was conquered by the Saraceans, and
after the conquest of Constantinople by
the Crusaders it was sold to the Vene-
tians in the early part of the thirteenth
century. For several hundred 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 1869, the latter
took possession. This century has wit
messed stormy times on the island. and
the restlessness of the Cre.ans has shown
itself ny repeated rehaiIions and insur-
rections against their rulers. There are
about 100000 Christians (of the Greek |
church, aud GO, 900 Mohammedans on the |
island, and they exercise toward each |
other the bitterest antipathy. The par
TALLY of the Turkish government for the |
followers of Mahomet does not have n |
tendency to sweeten the bitterness be-
tween the opposing classes, and since the |
Turks came into possession there has
been one clash after another BY order |
of the Sultan, MOhammedan and Chris
tian delegations came to Constantinople /
in 1867 to express the wishes of the peo-
pie, but what influence have the wishes /
OF the people on the ruler of the Otto
man empire unless he has a purpose to
serve: As might have been expected.
this delegation from Crete effected moth
ing, and few months later Joint com
from France, Russia, Prus-
STA and Italy urged n suspension of hos
Utilities until joint commission of the
powers and the Porte could inquire into
The grievances of the Cretans, which
proposition was Indignantly rejected by
he Turkish government. In all of these
roubles the Crrtans have looked to the
Greeks as their natural allies. for wears
has been an open secret that these is
anders were determined, at the first IA
'orable opportunity, TO annex them
selves to Greece, and Serious complied
ions between Turkey and Greece were
'Aiy settled by a conference of the pow
rs in 1869
The helping hands of the great powers
ave been extended more than once of
ate to aid Turkey in a critical moment.
Why is this: The explanation is two I
old. Turkey IS buttress state, stand /,
ng between Russia on the Black sea.
AUSTRIA in the north, France, Italy and /