The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-24

freighters. These freighters touch first
at the island of Syra, the ancient Her
mopolis and the residence of the COVER
nor of CyClades Islands. After IL day
in port there they proceed to Crete,
touching at the islands of Naxos, PGros
and Siphnos, the whole trip lasting
three and one-half days.
The harbor of Canea, the destination
of the vessels, is protected by q well
preserved fortress, one sGe of which
extends down to the edge OF the water
The eastern side of the fort is about
1900 feet long, the southern side 2,40O
and the western side | 500. These walls
are protected by four ranparts. two of
which face the valley ana the other two
the sea, and the whole is surrounded by
Il deep and wide ditch. The northern
side of the city is built down to the
harbo1, which is partly protected by
chain of rocks hardly visible above
water. Upon these rocks is a wall 1,13G
feet long, in the middle of which is "A
strong rampant. At the eastern end Of
this wall is a tower with a lighthouse,
the light being visible twelve miles
away. At the western end there is
fortress with few old fashioned guns.
Although the harbor Of Cane1 is larger
than that of Gambia or Retimo, it is
very SHALLOW anu Gail dCCDIllliOucilV plliS
small vessels. Large ships usually an
chor in the bay of SCUBA, which is di-
vded into upper and lower bays.
THE HARBOR OF SCUBA.
The harbor of SCUBA is, strictly de-
fined, the upper bay, being five miles
long and one and three-fourths miles
wide, with a depth of $50 feet On
small island at the entrance of the har-
Dor is q fortress with twelve Krupp
guns. On the southern shore of the
harbor Is the Mediterranean navy yard
of Turkey. 1t is in this harbOr that
most of the European men-of-war sent
to Crete find safe and comfortable an
chorage.
The city of Canea, being the seat Of
the governor general, has clean streets,
fine houses and some public buildings
of considerable pretensiOns, such as the
governors headquarters and the court
house, both of which are of modern
construction. The military hospital,
two armories and the health office also
are fine structures. The population of
the city is estimated at 1850, of whom
ALSO are Greeks and $500 Turks, 16O
Israelites and 200 Roman Catholics.
Nearly every European government is
represented by either consul of a
consular agent. Most of these repre-
sentatives live in the small town of
Halepa, about half an hours walk from
Canea. 'i''' ... |
Halepa became quite famous on ac-
count of the well known treaty of 1878
that was signed there by the Cretan
plenipotentiaries and the sultan's en-
voys. On lofty ground, covered with
olive, pomegranate and almond trees,
commanding an excellent view of Hal
epa and the country around it, there
stands the famous Ottoman tower of
Halepa, built by the JaniZaries. 1t is
well fortified and has been a refuge for
Turkish families in revolutionary
times.
f., TURKISH QUARTERS.
The Turkish quarters of Canea are
around the Spaniza square. 1t was un-
der plane tree in the square that the
members of the Turkish committee
usually met to discuss matters with the
Turkish authorities during the last rev.
olution. 1t was impossible for a Chris
tian to pass through the square without
being attacked by the Mussulmans. 1t
is here also that the Mohammedan fam
lilies gather in the evening for recrea~
ton; they sit on wooden benches and
listen to the music of the Arab music
ians of Canea.
Until a few days ago the population
of the island of Crete was a matter of
conjecture. The most truthworthy CEN
sus on the island was taken in 1881, by
order of Governor Photiades and is re-
garded by competent authorities, both
Christian and Mohammedan as fairly
honest. 1t gave q total population of
279, 1866 OF these 205, 010 were orthodox
Greeks, 1924 Mohammedans, 253 Ro-
man Catholics. 8 Armenians. 6i7 Israel
tiles. and Is Protestants. Nearly all the
inhabitants speak Greek. Even the
Mohammedan priests and teachers use
the Greek language in explaining the
Koran or the Turkish lessons to their
pupils,
Besides Canea there are two other
cities OF some importance in Crete,
namely Gambia, inhabited by 1900
Turks and 600O Greeks, and Retimo,
with a population of G,321 Turks and
1920 Greeks. Both cities lie on the
northern shore of the island, and they
are only a short distance apart.
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.
Not far from Retimo is a range of
hills, known as the White mountains,
with extensive table land at each end,
which are places of refuge during reVo-
lutions for the Christian families The
mountains are covered with pine, chest
nut and cedar trees, and abound in
springs Of excellent water.
ON the southern coast Of Crete there
are few settlements of any Importance.
The only noteworthy spot is the harbor
of Fair HaVens, mentioned in the Acts
of the Apostles, chapter 27 verse 8, in
which the vessel carrying ST. Paul to
Malta found refuge. Vessels today
usually seek refuge in the same port in
bad weather. There are but a few
small houses al Fair Havens, and thes
are occupied by Turkish officials sta
toned there to report to the Aga of
lieaki, the chief village of the district
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 dedicated to st. Paul;
legend has IT that the chapel was built
on the spot on winch the apostle stood
when he preached to the natives OF
Crete.
A HEALTHY PLACE.
No island has a healthier or moro
agreeable climate than has Crete. In
the hottest days of summer refreshinP
sea breeZes are seldom lacking. and
winter, which begins in December, ends
about the latter part Of January. The
rainy season often continues until late
in April but II very seldom rains in the
summer.