New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-13
ENGLAND'S CRETAN POLICY.
1T OCCASIONS A LIVELY DISCUSSION IN
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

If1f1 HOOSE OF COMMONS.
A MOTION NOT TO ADJOURN OVER EASTER RE
JEcTED BY VOTE OF 2lo TO 4a-MR BAL
FOUR DEFENDS THE ACTION or
THE POWERS
London. April 12-On the motion ot Mr.. Bal
four, the Government leader to adjourn the
House Of Commons over Easter Sir Charles
Dixie. Radical expressed regret that the Gov
eminent before adjourning had not afforded
the House an opportunity Of discussing its
policy In regard to Crete The Liberal party.
he said, was strongly united in this matter. in
spite Of reports to the contrary, and he believed
the majority of the Nation supported the Lib
erals on the Eastern question. A blockade OF
the PirRus he cOntended. though II might upset
the King and Kingdom Of Greece could not re-
store order in Crete While the Governments
policy of granting autonomy to Crete was hon
est. it was not clear whether the other Powers
were equally honest. Both the Sultan OF Turkey
and ihe King Of Greece had stated that they
were negotiating in regard to the future of
Crete when they were brought to the verge OF
war by the action of the Powers
Sir Charles pointed ou; thai the concert OF the
Powers did not come into existence for the pur-
pose OF dealing with Crete. but to deal with the
Armenian question. with which the Powers had
been fruitessly struggling for Two years. when
they stirred out of sluggish action by the
dispatch of Prince George OF Greece with the
Greek torpedo fotilla to the island Of Crete and
by the landing Of the Greek troops there He
ended by dwelling the mbeciity and help
lessness of the concert until the King OF Greece
forced their hand
The Parliamentary Secretary for the Foreign
Office. George y. Curzon. said in reply that no
/ ,inht 81, lain Of larE ~
tunity to discuss the conduct of the Government.
There had been many discussions on the subject.
although it true there had not been vote
| of censure, the Government having failed to
persuade the Liberal leader, Sir William Vernon
Harcourt, to repeat in the House the martial
Grafton so much admired at Norwich. In
Austria Italy and Germany the statements of
the government policy has been reiterated so
frequently as TO become tedious.
WHAT AUTONOMY MEANS.
Sir Charles Dixie complained that autonomy
as proposed to Crete was not clearly defred but
Mr.. Curzon pointed out. the proclamation stated
that It implied freedom from all control OF the
Turkish Government in the internal affairs OF the
island He therefore could truthfully say that
! there was no ground whatever for the suspicion
| Of Sir Charles Dixie that this autonomy which
the Government desired make ample and
| clear was regarded from any other point OF
view by the other Powers. AS for the with
drawal of the Greek troops from Crete. Mr.. Cur
| zon asserted that this would open the door lead
ing to an almost immediate and pacific settle
ment OF the question Since the blockade. he
| declared many thousands OF helpless and de-
fenceless people have been protected by the
forces Of the Powers. and their admirals have
done inestmable work in the relief Of the be-
! md 4 hc of
face of explicit warnings, the insurgents had
rersisted in their endeavors to starve out the
Turkish garrisons AT outlying posts and obtain
possession Of the outposs commanding the towns
| cccupjed by the forces of the Powers. They had
also tried TO cut off the water supply. and had
even engaged in fighting with the European
troops But he glad to say during the last
few days the situation has become calner. In
the mean while active discussions are proceeding
between the Powers relative to the appointment
Of q Governor for Cret and the establishment Of
militia on the basis Of the autonomous consti-
tuition promised.
Mr. Curzon then turned TO the question Of the
possibility Of war between Greece and Turkey
He insisted that the Government had strained
every nerve to prevent an outbreak Of hostilities
which they could only regard as caamitous to
Greece, and constituting grave menace 10 the
peace Of Europe. The Government had shown
the utmost forbearance and regard Tor the sus-
capabilities of all concerned and had taken part
in the Joint declaration at Constaninople and
Athens to the effect that the aggressor would
not be allowed to profit by such action. AS TO
the Greek raid into Macedonia. Mr.. Curzon as
sured the House that. from information which
the Government had received. the raid was en-
tirely unauthorized by the Greek Government
and was not participated In by the Greek reBu
lar troODs Further it had been dsavowed by
| the Greek Government, and the Government or
turkey had announced that If the raid was not
repeated Turkey would not treat il as n casus
beIU as she might have done. Mr. Cufzon de-
| MED that the concert of the Powers had been
helpless During the last few months. he assert
ed the concert had saved Europe from general
and had localized the disturbances on the Greco
turkish frontier He thought one would deny
tbot the policy Of the Government-peace In Eu-
ronc and the liberation Of Crete-was good
one But If the Opposition had an alternative,
,nt the House hear It. Mr. CurZon was frequently
chcered.
SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT REPLIES.
Sir William Harcour said that although the
.overnment declined his challenge. he would
N, decline It's challenge now made. although he
Considered the matter OF so great Importance
tht II ought 10 have been discussed on a def
nit. issue Mr. Balfour had complained that
his sir WilIam's) motion was not sufficiently
! cenarious. but If the motion had been carried
II void have turned out the Government, what
morejid the Government want? Why did not
the Civernment substitute for 1t vote OF con