The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-24
THE FOREORDAINED WINNER.
Prediction that England Will Control
Crete-Her Policy.

New York Evening Sun.
The commercial success of the Greek race
has been one powerful consideration that
contributed to hold together the combine
ton of powers TO aid the Turk by their
active operations in Crete, by Lending MN
officers TO manage his commiSSary ana
quartermaSter departments while trans
ferring his troops from Asia Minor, by
paralyZing the operations OF the Greek fleet
and finally giving the Turk the signal TO
fall on. While successful Greek commercial
competition in Mediterranean and Black
sea waters was more acutely felt by Eng
land than by any one OF the others, IL
was powerful obstruction to the eXpan-
sion of the rest in the same coveted field,
If the Greek traders were thus formidable
with their existing limited national pase,
1t was apparent that any extension or tnst
base must increase their power. To curb
this competition thus became one object
which appealed to the powers in common
and furnished them with a unity of mo-
tive and of purpose that old-fashioned ter
rtorial and military considerations would
which prevented Greece and Turkey from
settling the Cretan affair between them
selves. In the face of a menace to their
only common interest, and that interest a
sordid one, the mutual Jealousies OF the
powers were subordinated
1t must be borne in mind that the ma
terial object in issue at the initiation of
this war was the possession of Crete-the
object of England's undertaking policy for
sixty years If, now, the Turk declines
submitting to the dictation of those whom
ne mas served DIS lie mas a. cOupitlc punt
ical and moral right to do, hurry burly
may ensue. In that event England will
enter upon immediate possession of Crete.
fully attaining the object for which she
began the war with her battle ships, in
whose wake the inferior naval powers fol-
lowed AS to the attitude of the Turk, it
suits Russian policy to have the Greek
smashed to stay. 1t is not clear that Eng
lands buncoed partners need distress
themselves over her acquisition of Crete;
they are accustomed to U-aS witness
Egypt, Delagoa bay, massacred Armenia
and SO on. And, besides, stocks are up at
On the other hand, the Turk, instead of
standing on his rights, may be submissive.
He may acquiesce in the powers dictation.
In that event the hurly-bury stands de-
ferred for a season, but it is only deferred,
and Englands acquisition of Crete later on
is not less certain than her present. possess
sion Of Egypt, and 1t must needs be brought
about by influences inhering in the case
working to the same and inevitable end.
To understand the exact bearings of the
policy of autonomy for Crete we must recall
the case of Egypt. That country also en-
joyed the same alleged autonomy. Crete
Will be saddIed with a heavy tribute to the
Turk as Egypt was with an alleged debt TO
the financiers of Europe. The DEBT AFFORDED
for taking the administration out OF ma
tive HANDS and treating the country In
all respects as conquered one whose re-
sources were diverted from internal deYel-
opment TO satisfy the creditors tax gather
ers. A kime came when this treatment
proved foo CALLING even for the patient
found intolerabie by the more independent
ana spirited Cretans? The Egyptians rose,
as the Cretans are destined 10 rise. me
English Mediterranean squadron, always
prepared, glided instantly TO the spot and
Shelled the patriotic Egyptians INTO sub
jection as they are destined TO shell the
Cretans - JOB at which they have al
ready had preliminary practice. Then, on
the ground that order mad been restored
at her own expense, England took possess
sion of Egypt and EUROPE acqu1esced. Inc
preteXt Oh temporary occupation mas re-
Gently been pubncly thrown over III Par
lament by Lord Salisbury government.
Tne Identical series Of steps is contem-
plated for Crete, and with them EnglandS
Mediterranean policy Will nave mally sue
ceeded. england may bide her time Tor
entering into possession, but the conclusion
is a 1oregone one. And her total expendl-
ture in the case of Crete, as IN that OF
Egypt, is few practice shells thrown III
entire security from her battle ships
among the helpless inhabitants. What was
won mas been the quality or continuity III
iier policy. When she twice retained Crete
subject 10 the rule OF the Iurk she old not
do SO for the sake of promoting the massa-
cres which followed, as she mad foreSeen
that they would follow; her purpose and
aim was that as Il result or those maSsa-
cres and in the ensuing hurry burly, the
island might fall 10 her possession. mat
result she has now assured by leading the
concert in its attack upon the Greek hber-
ators and thus forcing the chain OF events
in which the Turk has played the part CT
instrument SO, too, when England with
drew the Armenians from Russian protec-
ton. 1T is SenSeleSS 10 suppose IndL IleT
motive was merely to bring about the mas
sacres that were foreseen by all. Her call
culation was that, just as France under
Louis Napoleon interviewed with England's
moral support after the Syrian maSsacres,
so France either alone or with other men,
beers Of the concert, would intervene to save
the Armenians. In the resulting hurly-
Eurly England would snatch such adYan-
tage as the situation should make most
feasible.
But continental diplomacy had meantime
been at work, and England was left SINGLE
handed to deal with her proteges. She dealt
as she had previously dealt with the
Cretans; she left them to their fate, and she
leaves them there still. She knows; as all
Europe knows, that fresh massacres lie in
the womb of time. If, when they come,
England can see her way TO her per-
sonal gain by interfering she will inter-
fere 1t is for that purpose that she
now sits down in patient acquiescence be-
meath the load of infamy which the
infinite villainy Of her policy has heaped
upon her But she has received her price
and Is more than content. Neither Is IL
apparent that any one else need complain
For, we repeat, IN every capital In Europe
stocks are up. 1t is now Next! as they
call in the BARRIERS shops, and Here!
answers President Paul Kruger - with
Deagoa bay, through which alone succors
could reach him, already in possession or
the enemy.
Il may not be war. but 1t is magnif-
cent-policy.