Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-06

when the poor fellows sufferinss were al
last ended by death she looked calmly down
upon the face Of the young warrior ana
said; 1T was for this brought him into
the world" The soldiers always refused to
have an injured limb amputated. however
badly shattered it might be, preferrina
death to mutilation-
Crete knows no divorce problem. It's
women are above reproach and cases OF
marital unfaithfulness are almost unknown.
Forgetfulness of the duties which a wife
owes her husband Is punishable by death.
the husband being the executloner. Mar
rtage Is most frequently the result OF an ar
rangement between families, and tha
maiden herself has often little to say in
the matter. Opposition to the wishes OF
parents sometimes brings severe punish
ment. The story is told of a girl of IL who
was discovered guilty of love affair. A
family court was convened and she was
taken by her brothers into the mountains.
They returned without her and her body
was found afterward food for the ravens.
In the interior marriage frequently is q
result OF capture. The girl who is seen OUT
side of her fathers cottage is liable to bO
carried OF by friends of her admirer to
another cottage, where she is held until
the parental blessing is secured The pref
test girl. 1t is said, is always chosen be-
fore the richest People from the coast
towns who go up into the interior for the
hot weather are careful to guard their
manageable daughters for fear OF an en-
forced marriage to some stalwart mounr
taineer.
The vendetta thrives In sections of Crete.
as in Sicily. But in time of revolution all
feuds and differences are forgotten. Ono
OF the most interesting ceremonies on the
island is that associated with the fra
termination Of families that have been
deadly enemies. A beautiful peasant girl is
chosen by the priest and she is sent around
TO the homes Of the feudists They are ALI
asked to appear before the priest. When
they have assembled the girl is placed In
a circle formed by the men clasping hands.
Standing thus they all take an oath to pro-
tect the girl-who remains all her life q
sister to each OF the men, and for this
reason can never be married to any ona
of them-and to fight for the common
cause and the protection OF each other as
brothers. The priest gives his benediction
and blessing and the men go forth to war
forgetful for the time Of their personal
feuds.
''The general condition of CretAn towns
is that Of ruins" said a Crete who has Just
arrived in America. THE houses are burnt
and battered, the results of many riots,
and little effort has been made TO restore
them. Political uncertainty does not foster
enterprise Of any kind. and the Cretana
have lived so long in a state Of suspense
as TO the future Of their country that they
have become almost incapable of settling
and developing the resources that their
island unquestionably possesses. The soil
is rich and agriculture is most successful
when even ordinary effort is put forth.
Olives are the staple product, but the
groves were practically destroyed by con.
tending armies, and the slow-growing trees
planted to take their places have not yet
reached the bearing stage. The priests
are the most successful husbandmen and
the abundant crops they produce is evi<
dence Of the fertility OF the soil. They culs
tivate olives, figs and vines on the hillsideA
the latter yielding a harvest from June u
January, and In the lowlands produce
grains. tobacco ana opium. These priests
produce practically everything necessary u
their own wants and are constantly urging
the people to the same effort.
"As a rule the towns are even less thrifty
than the country districts. The people are
absolutely poverty stricken and there is nd
sense whatever OF vigorous life. The bazarI
are lacking in picturesque features and the
goods displayed are Of the very cheapest
kind.
1.-THE desire OF the Cretans that the TurlCi
who still remain in the island shall be conn
PEELED to leave It is disapproved Of by those
persons who have studied the situation and
understand II. The Turks now In Crete an
a thrifty class, mostly farmers, and by FAD
the most industrious people there. Crett
needs every man 1t can muster who u
willing 10 work and who is in any sense
producer; and 20 drive out this small bu
, unquestionably valuable group OF Turk
would be- Il Is contended. a serious mis-
take IN the, plans for the future Of n
troubled little island"