The record-union., 1897-03-08

measure. We apprehend that sensible
newspaper men will agree that such
policy of discipline and procedure is
the only right one for any journal to
pursue. 1t always results in command
ing the respect of the reader and of the
body reported. 1t is the only cleanly
decent and high-minded course for any
newspaper to adopt. 1t has always been
the Record Unions" method, because
it is the only right one.
THE GRECIAN-CRETANS SITUATION.
Yesterdays dispatches indicate that
the belief is gaining ground in Europe
that the Cretan difficulty will be set
tied without resort to force. But, 1t IS
added, that the one way out as prob
ability is the consent of Greece to a
limited Turkish suzerainty over Crete.
This seems incredible save upon the
ing has been arrived at, that if Greece
will give its consent to present with
drawal in the near future the powers
will wink at revolt by the Cretans
against the Turks, and that the Euro
pean Governments will prevent the
Porte from successfully resisting the
revolt by engaging the activity of Tur-
key in other quarters.
That the Porte suspects something OF
this kind to be in the wind is deduclble
from it's note of inquiry addressed to
the powers asking for Interpretation
of the sentence in the ultimatum OF the
allied nations, reading, Crete must not
be annexed to Greece at the present
iuncture." The Porte is very naturally
asking "Ry this do you mean that you
contemplate a probable juncture when
such annexation would not be displeas-
ing to you?"
1t is explained in the dispatches that
England, Austria, France and Italy
are really in sympathy with Greece IN
this matter. and agree, if she will now
withdraw from the island, to see to it
that when order is restored the Cretans
shall have a perfectly free and falr
opportunity to decide by ballot what
their fate shall be, and that this plebis-
cite shall be held under the temporary
administration of a Greek Governor
1t is this that gives whatever there is
of strength to the story Of a possible
bIoodIess settlement of the Cretan af-
fair, and which caused an upward ten
dency to be manifest in the English
stock market on Saturday. Assuming
that there is verify in the story, then
our supposition, qualifying the surprise
set out in the beginning Of this note,
is sound For the Grecians and the
powers know perfectly well that the
more than two-thirds majority the Gre
tans hav., will be cast in any fair cleo
ton for removal Of the Turk from the
island, and for it's annexation to
Greece.
But it is stated that Germany and
Russia are opposed to any but immedi-
ate harsh. coercive measures, and de-
nnand that there shall be no settlements
talked about until Greece withdraws
her forces from Crete. AS a supplement
to this news it is intimated that Russia
will influence France to side with her
on this point. With such news at hand
it is impossible to arrive at a conclusion
that Greece will yield, except that
there possibly may be such yielding as
stated in the outset, upon the unex-
pressed agreement that Crete shall in
the early future be free from Turkish
domination.
We are strongly inclined to believe
that this viii be the upshot of the
whole affair None of the great pow
ers want European war now. The
new Car, by education, training and
taste. is opposed to war. He has SO
openly expressed himself on more than
one occasion. In this he is antagoniZed
by the Russian nobility whom he pla
Gates by movements that keep alive the
hope of a southwark advance of Rus
sian influence and control. These no
bles wish to see the Turkish empire dis
membered but only upon condition
that Russia gets the larger slice. The
other powers are equally as desirous
that the Porte shall not be disturbed
in his present possessions north Of the
Thessalo lonian border. In this nom
agreement the fears of the Turk and
the hopes of the Greek reside.
1t is reported in one of our Eastern
exchanges, we do not known upon what
authority, that on the 1st of January
there went into effect in the Argentine
Republic a decree of the law that
places a heavy specific tax upon all
males between 20 and SO years of age
who have not married. The intention
remain unmarried, without sufficient
reason, for q period longer than four
weeks The collectors of this tax, we
are told. are gwen great liberty of ac-
ton. and as they are married men,
and have a direct interest in retaining
their Offices, they make the bachelors
exceedingly unhappy by the annoying
methods they employ of collecting the
exaetion Assuming the story to be
true. the experiment will be watched
with a great deal of interest. The law
encourages matriIaony in all civilized
countries. but We very much doubt the