New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-21
SOME LESSONS OF CRETE.

Crete has cost Europe much but IL has prob
ably been worth while. The problem Of the dis
posal Of the island has been vexatious. and in
deed is, for Ii is not yet finally solved. and IN
working at it much time and diplomatic labor
have been spent and much pecunary cost has
been incurred Yet the influences and the les
sons Of the whole protracted episode have been
so salutary and valuable TO the powers directly
concerned and also TO others, that the balance OF
the account is probably on the side Of profit.
Thus ii has been and is of great value 10 the
world 10 have the four Intervening powers act
together in complete confidence and harmony.
il is valuable as an object lesson in the posi-
bility of such cooperation The concert of the
powers" has often been made an object of scorn
and ridicule. and AT times has perhaps deserved
such treatment because OF its lack of both har-
mony and efficiency. But here has been true
concert, harmonious and effective, of four of the
greatest powers, maintained for years i'm pecul-
arly difficult and trying circumstances and
now likely 10 be maintained for long time 10
come. If those four powers can thus act to-
gether in such cause TO such good purpose, the
corresponding cooperation of other powers and
indeed OF all powers, is not TO be despared OF
Nor must the reflex influence upon the powers
themselves and upon their relations among them
selves be overlooked. The cooperation of Great
Britain. France and Russia in Cretan interven-
ton has been precisely contemporaneous with
the development of the eiuchte cOrdidle among
them. To what extent the two processes have
been connected by the law OF cause and effect
and which of them has been chiefly cause and
which effect, may not at present be confidently
declared but at least ii is reasonable to suppose
that If the cooperation did not produce the
entente il has materially strengthened II.
Two other lessons are worthy of special no
tice. One is the disnterestedness of the inter-
vening powers There has been nothing sordid,
nothing covetous, nothing selfish and nothing
sinister in their action II has been entirely
frank and open and instinct only with gener-
Gus desire TO keep the peace and to promote the
welfare of people who need the tutelage and di-
rection of those stronger and wiser rhaH them
selves. There has seldom IL ever been an inter
vention more creditable in purpose than this
and the practical Illustration which it affords of
those who strong bearing the burdens of the
weak. among nations among individuals, Is
worthy of praise and emulation The other les
son rs a practical contradiction OF what Rufus
Choate called the "gitterng generality about
governments deriving their jusr powers from the
consent or the governed. There can be no doubt
that III the consent Of the governed were para
mount In Crete there would be a bloody and
devastating war between Turkey and Greece
with results Of lasting injury to one and perhaps
10 Doth or them. 1T is not easy TO understand
how any rational man can doubt that the wise
and temperate restraint Of the powers which is
accompanied by enforcement of good gov
eminent. is far better for the Cretans them
selves, AS well for Turkey. Greece and all
humanity, than would be the abandonment az the
island 10 the unbridled passions of its people
Crete has indsputably been Il great sufferer
from bad government, but il is now being re-
deemed therefrom and assured of the best pos