The morning times., 1897-02-22

pearance must end in practical annexation
to Greece.
1t will have been noticed, from he foreign
dispatches. that the situation is complicated
by a threatened rising in Macedonia, from
which province a Macedonian cry goes
up to Heaven indeed, for freedom from
Mohammedan msrules and union with the
Christian Kingdom on whose frontier il
lies, and to which 1t is bound by ties OF
blood and language. Macedonia lies to the
north Of Thessaly, part of which now Occu-
pies the northeastern portion of Greece.
For generations It's hardy mountain people
have been ready to spill their blood for
independence or union with their brethren
beyond the line. and any war now, over
the Eastern question. would be reasonably
sure to bring about that result. Macedonia
is to be counted in the theater of any
operations that may ensue, and would help
Greece materially in preventing successful
Turkish occupation of the approaches To
her actual frontier in that direction.
The necessary details of the foregoing
picture Will fall into place at once if
the reader glances at any atlas or geog-
raphy map of Europe published within
half dozen years. Such a map also will
show Crete with its geographical relations.
which render it properly Greek territory
in addition to the consideration of its Greek
history. and predOminating Greek popu-
lation and religion
The Island Of Crete, or Gambia, is one
Of the largest of the Mediterranean islands
1t lies southeast of Greece, and for naval
purposes dominates the western entrance
OF the Aegean Sea. 1t is irregular in
form, being about $50 miles across its
greatest length, by from six To thirty six
broad It is mountainous and generally
fertile. The population apprOximat es
900, of which so 900 or 20, 900 are
Turks. Most OF the remainder are Of
Greek descent and language 1t is said
that the dialect spoken by these people
is the nearest approach eXtant TO a
survival of the ancient Greek tongue.
Among the ethnologically Greek inhab-
itants are 10000 or more of what are
called Othomani, or rencgades, who have
at one time or another embraced Moham-
mechanism for its material advantages
| These are the most fanatical and per
| scouting OF all the moslem elements, but
they are largely confined to the towns
| for the Christian congeners in fighting.
In arcie Mt times Homer credited the
| island with ninety cities. Now there
| are but three principal towns, i. G., Canea,
| Megala Kastron and RetimO.
| At this writing the Christian insurgents
| with their Greek allies under Col. NaSsoS,
| have undisputed possession OF the whole
| island with the exception Of the towns
| and ports which have been occupied by
| the foreign Tleets Whether this arrange
| ment viii be allowed to stand or not will
| depend upon the developments Of the next
| few days Much stronger pressure might
have been exerted by the powers if the
| outbreak, andthepatriotc and pan He nenic
| attitude of Greece, had not developed a
| general European Grecian sentiment so
| strong that even monarchs and ministries
| have been compelled To trim before if
| not bow to it, The German Emperor
| at latest accounts was inclined To he trucu-
| lent, but British public opinion had already
| compelled her majestyS government 10 a
milder front toward King George, while
| Italy appears positively friendly. Russia
| acts for the moment in her customary enig
| natcal manner, and the kings, queens
| knights, bishops, and pawns may al be
differently arranged on the board before
this meets the eve OF the reader. But
| whatever is to happen, it appears suf
| ficientIy clear that Greece and Crete
| are to be under one flag and government,
| whether war shall come between Greece
| and Turkey, perhaps and probably in
| voiving other nations, or otherwise.