The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-04-28

portant part in the Greek war Of indie
pendence, and It would have been made .
part of the new Hellenic kingdom II the
European powers had kept their hands of,
but they insisted In forcing Crete back I'M
der the Turkish rule and encouraging
Turkey to retake 1t. After instruction
which lasted over three years, and which
cost the Turkish and Egyptian treasures
some $50, 200, 900, a scheme Of reform
known as the "organio statute" was
drawn up. This measure appeared to con-
cede large amount Of self government to
the island. 1t gave 1t legislative assem-
bly, and judicial system of Its own. The
latter, however, was merely mockery,
and the former was reduced to impotence
by being forbidden even to discuss any
matter which had not previously received
the sanction Of the government.
Thus the organic statute proved fail
ure and the island became as discomfort
cd as ever. Another instruction occurred
In 1875 and in the fall of that year,
through the mediation of England, COM
pact was drawn up which retained the
general system Of the organic statute, but
provided for its more practical application.
This was not satisfactory 20 the Cretans,
however, and they soon divided into two
parties. Intrigue followed intrigue, and
only one man has had the courage TO hold
the Office Of civil governor for full term.
All the Others were driven to resign 1t.
A crisis came in 1889. The governor
considered 1t TO be his constitutional duty
to bestow certain number of appoint
ments on the Liberals, and the COnserva-
tives thereupon took up arms and with
drew to the mountains. Then the half dor
mant fanaticism of the people became
aroused and the island was again plunged
Into civil war. In the space Of few
months about 100 Christians and Mussul-
mans were murdered. Nine thousand
dwelling houses, 1862 schools, 81 mosques
and IA churches were burned. Property to
the amount Of hundreds of thousands OF
dollars worth was destroyed. The insur-
gent Christians, however, got the worst OF
It, The porte Soon became master Of the
situation and proclaimed martial law. The
compact Of 1873 was practically abrogated,
and for tho next five years Crete was ruled
automatically by "a succession OF Mussul-
man governors.
The attention of the powers was attract
ed to the unhappy state of the island, and
toward the end Of 1894 the porte was In
duced TO select a Christian named Alexan-
der KaratheodOry Pasha as governor He
seemed to be acceptable TO both Christians
and Mussulmans. The assembly met
again for the first time since 1889 and
passed some good laws. But these were
vetoed by the porte, and trouble again be-
gan. Finally In March OF last year the
Christian governor was recalled, and Tur-
khan Pashh, Mussulman, was appointed
In his stead Tho change seemed to dis
satisfy everybody, Mussulman as we'll as
Christian. The number OF murders on
both sides increased. Turkhan showed
considerable energy In Furnishing the
guilty and In unfolding the law, but the
revolt continued, and disturbances were
rife all last summer. Greece sent conaId-
cradle aid 10 the Christian Cretans, and
this led Russia and Germany 10 propose
blookading the island, but Great Britain
refused 10 sanction such a scheme, and the
project was therefore abandoned.
A plan OF reforms was agreed upon by
the powers last September and accepted
by the sultan. There was 10 be a Chris
tian governor, Who should appoint the
subordinate officials, two thirds OF them
Christian and one-third Mussulman, and
other reforms were agreed upon which
promised 10 be advantageous 20 the Chris
tian Cretans. For one reason or another,
however, they were not carried out Thus
the present acute crisis ensuod, and 10 de-
rives its importance from the intervention
OF Greece The annexation Of Crete 10
Greece has been proclaimed, and Greek
toons have taken. -os'esEion OF the island.