The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-25
ESSENCE OF THE TURKISH CUES.
- HION ------ 90 b

VIZ II IL
TON.
The representatives of all the powers
speak of the Turkish problem. us they
term IT. as one great, II not insurmount-
able. difficulty. And yet 1t would not
seem to be SO If approached In q candid
ana honorable spirit. The first and cs-
sential thing is the hnnishment of the
Turk to Asia, and following this the
establishment of an independent Chris
tian government In European Turkey,
supported by the six great powers. This,
with the freedom OF the Dardanelles,
would end adj complication and relieve
a large Christian population from cruel
bondage, and restore prosperity TO one
of the fairest Of lands. now languishlng
unto death under an indolent and igno-
rant despotism.
Oppression has been the inheritance OF
the Cretans for centuries. 1t has been
continued with more or less vigOr. with
more or less brutality, but always con-
tinued. They have oft times made he
rolc but unsuccessful resistance to the
tyrnnt, but without avail The father
Falling In the fight. has handed his
weapon to his son, who, following the
example OF his father, has hcuueathcd
to his successor the defense OF all that
makes life tolcrable. And so the battle
for home. for honor and religion has
been continued through the ages, whilst
the rulers Of Europe have remained I'M
responsive to the cry for succor that has
come from an oppressed Christian peo-
pie. Greece has sympath.Zed-dcepl
sympathized with her suffering brothers
Of Crete, but since her own emancipa-
ton from Turkish domination her hands
have been bound by European compli-
cations.
GREECE THE HOME OF THE EMILE
The Greek people has housed and fed
the homeless and starving refugees an
nually driven to their shores by Turkish
brutality. while the Government has
contributed literally TO their support
from her depleted Treasury. Greece
has demonstrated with and bescechcd
the powers TO extend Il helping hand to
the oppressed CretaESi. Her remOn-
stances. her appeals. have fallen on
ears closed by selfisfness to the cry of
humanity, and still the pressure upon
Greek sympathy has been intensified by
one cruelty and atr0City after another
as the years rolled by, until the cup has
run over, all patience lost and all pru-
dence cast to the winds In an enthusiast
tic uprising of the people, led by their
noble Danish king. 1t is Il venture be-
yond worldly prudence, heroism almost
without parallel, and is, in fine, the up
rising or il lonS-rcStraincd, patriotic peo-
pie. who can no longer be bound hand
and footEwhile their brothers in blood
and religion cry for help and are or-
pressed by a master whose iron heel
rested on their own nccks for centuries.
the descendants of the race that
fought at Marathon ana Thermopylae
face all Europe, weak in all but Il right
cous cause. ard demand in the name of
our boosted enlightened civilization that
the Mussulman take his hand from The
throat of Christianity, free the C'rctnn
and restore to its proper owners that
noblcst of the islands of the Meaitcrra-
mean, which was seized by violence and
he'd with 4 hand of blood for more
than two hundred and fifty years.
HEREDITARY ENEMIES EVER
1t took Turkey twenty years. with a
great army Of SC, 900 men. 10 capture the
fortresses ana conquer the Cretan peO-
pie; indeed, she has never had com
Diete control of the island. The brave
mountaineers have preserved their love
of liberty and devotion to the church
OF their fathers. and have transmitted
TINS, their only Inheritance, to their
children. The record of the struggle be-
tween the Greek patriots and the Turk,
that has been going on for more than
twice the life-time Of our republic would
make n volume whose pages would IL
!ustrate as devoted patriotism, as heroic
endeavor, as noble martyrdom for home,
liberty and religion as is recorded in
the history Of half the world beside
within the same period.
What sympathy or assistance has she
received from the great enlightened
ON the contrary, the powers have often
AS now, lcaEucd together, not for her
liberation, but 10 uphold her ruthless
cesnolc:. Shame on the nations! Shame
on our civilization! And double shame
on our Wanted claim OF Christian SYM
rathy with the oppressed! ! is enough
to make us blush for our age and our
civilization.
THE BONDAGE OF THE N1OSI,EM
BY the genius of our institutions, BY
the teachings Of the fathers, and from
our geographical position, we are de-
| barred from offering more than our deep
sympathy for the heroic patriots Of
Crete and our approval OF the heroic
conduct Of Greece But the six great
powers Of Europe must OF necessity take
part In all Eastern questions and they
are now upholding the tottering throne
or the Turkish despot whilst they could
By one worldly the stroke Of the pen
restore Crete to liberty and rescue her
suffering people from The tyrant's yoke
which has rested upon their nccks for
centuries It is nothing else but bond
age. and OF the most calling character
where the Turk Is lord and master You
might as we'll suggest that a sheep fold
be guarded by hungry wolves as that
the Christian under Ottoman control be
protected by Turkish soldiers. Such a
condition OF atfa! rS. instead of guaran-
tce!ng peace, Is a constant menace and
incentive to war. =
cannot believe that the rulers Of |
% \, TO-