Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-02-25

pass through the square without be-
ing attacked by Mussuemans. 1t is
here also that the Mohammedan fami-
lies gather In the evening for recrea-
ton; they sit on wooden benches ana
listen to the music of the Arab musi-
Clans of Canea.
Until few years ago the popula-
ton of the island of Crete was mat
ter OF conjecture. The most trust
worthy census on the island was
taken in 1881, by order OF Gov.
Pnotiades, ami is regared by com
petent authorities. both Christian ani
Mohommedan, as fairly honest. 1t
gave total population of 279, 9,l65,
OF these 205,0l0 we're orthodox
Greeks, 1924 Mohammedans, 253
Roman Catholics, 8 Armenians, 647
Israelitlss and l3 Protestants. Nearly
all the inhabitants speak Gree <. Even
the Mohammedans priests and teach
ers use the Greek language in ex-
planning the Koran or the Turkish
lessons to their pupils.
Besides Canes there are two other
cities of some importance in Crete,
namely, Cancia, inhabited by 10000
Turks and 5000 Greeks, and Rstimo,
with population of 6,32l Turks and
1920 Greeks. Both cities lie on the
northern shore of the island and they
are only short distance apart.
Not far from Retimo is range Of
hills. known as the White mountains,
with extensive table land at each :end
which are places of refuge during re-
volutlons for the Christian families.
The mountains are covered with pine.
chestnut and cedor trees, and abound
in springs of excellent water
On the southern coast Of Crete
there are few settlements of any i'm.
portance. The only noteworthy spot
is the harbor of Fair Havens, men.
toned in the Acts Of the Apostles,
chapter xvii, verse 8, in which the
vessel carrying St. Paul to Malta
found refuge. Vessels to-day usually
seek refuge in the same port in bad
weather. There are buta few small
houses at Fair Havens, and these are
occupied by Turkish officials station
ed there to report to the aga Of
Deaki, the chief village of the dis
trict, the passing of vessels. These
officials have little to do. On the
east side Of the bay there are the
ruins of an old Greek chapel dedicat-
ed to St. Paul; legend has it that the
chapel was built on the spot on which
the apostle stood when he preached
to the natives OF Crete.
No island has healthier or more
AGREEABLE CLIMATE
than has Crete. In the hottest days
Of summer refreshing sea breezes are
seldom lacking, and winter, which be-
gins in December, ends about the lat
ter part Of January. The rainy season
often continues until late in April,
but it very seldom rains in the
summer
A chain Of mountains divides the
island into what are called the north
ern and southern slopes. One-third
of the island consists of rocky slopes;
another third has fairly good soil,
which remains uncultivated for the
wants of farm hands; and the other
the same reason. The cultivation ol
fruit remains as it was centuries ago
The want of progress is owing to the
repeated acts Of injustice committed
against the Christian farmers by the
Turkish taxgathers. Olives and thell
oil are the staple products Of Crete
Valleys from one end Of the island t.
the other are covered with olive
trees. Next to the olive industry
comes that OF the vines, producing
many vanties OF grapes, ralslns AM
wine. Orchards of oranges. lemoh
citron and almond trees abound Il
the valleys, while chestnut and fig
trees ere found at the base OF th
mountains A popularity Of all Gre
tan products is their exquisite favor
which they retain long after they ar
gathered and shipped. Il is til
opinion Of The Oldest ami best inform
ed Cretan merchants that, with prope
facilities for transportation of pro
ducts to the seaports and guarante
|against misrule and arbitrary taxation
Crete could provide all Europe wit
| oil and fruits OF several kinds.
i Like Cuba, Crete has always foun'
| her curse in the beauties with whic!
nature has endowed her. Since th
island was left by the Venetians :
sIshe Turks in Ills no fewor than
| KrNx REVOLUTIONS
have taken place among its people
=