Evening star., 1909-08-22

When the four protective powers. Great
Britain. Russia, France and Italy, an
nounced that they would
Tponhla eyacuate Crete July 81.
It was quite certain that
Oe1teSn. such evacuation would
be the signal Of trouble. The government
OF Young Turkey. convinced that such
would be the case. suggested that the
protective powers prolong their occupa-
ton OF the island in the interests of
peace.
The suggestion of the Turkish govern
the Cretan mind was no secret to the
press and public of Europe. and conse-
ouently no secret to the protective pow
ers. Besides. the protective powers per-
mitted Crete to believe that when their
occupation ceased Crete might join
Greece and that would be the end of the
tCretan question.
Furthermore. the powers have not failed
to note that Crete. in October. 1908. pro-
claimed her union with Greece: that
Cretan functionaries took the official oath
to the king of Greece: that the word
Hellas was printed on Cretan stamps;
that judicial cases were sent to the court
of appeals at Athens for final decision,
and that political campaign was be-
gun for the election Of Cretan deputies
at the next general election In Greece.
AS late as June 10, 1909. the Turkish
minister Of foreiGn affairs declared in the
Turkish parliament that If the inter-
national troops were withdrawn the Iur-
kish government would re-establish Tur-
kish sovereignty in Crete. Notwiehs and
ing these facts the international troops
were withdrawn July y. The Gre ans
hoisted the Greek flag the same day, since
rs<f, e,sft t1rHf1
has been a very live topic in all diplo-
matte circles.
The situation must appear to the
thoughtful political student as lacking
the elements of Serious
Well-planned conflict. In word. the
evacuation and reoccu-
"@oASusei' patton Of Crete has all
the appearances OF q manifestation VIII ch
conceals we'll and skillfully planned
political maneuver. Let us briefly review
some of the events which, however belli-
cose they may seem to the casual OBJ
server, are nevertheless pacific, for the
protecting powers have declared from the
beginning that they will maintain the
status quo.
August the Turkish government
communicated to Greece an urgent note
asking that she express her dtsapproVal
OF the annexation agitation IN Crete
and formally declare that Greece mad
no ambitions regarding the 1sianu,
"otherwise displomatic relations Wouid
be severed.
The 9th instant the Greek govern
ment handed to the Turkish minister a
formal reply to the note. 1t proIesIeu
| against the complaints and clted the
endeavors made by the Greek g1,, goselh-
ment to maintain frank and friendly
relations with Turkey and to draw
closer the bonds uniting the two coun-
tries 1t mentioned the enthusiasm ana
friendly good will with Whlcn Greeks
aided the Young Turks to achieve the
triumph of the constitutional regime
and pointed out that had Greece cner-
ished the designs attributed to her sne
would have tried to profit by the trials
and difficulties against which the new
AS for Crete. the note continued. the
Turkish government itself had declared
that Greece had been frank and loyal.
Greece now declined to make any dec
laration regarding the future or Crete'
which matter rested entirely with tho
protecting powers, to whose uecisioh
Greece would conform.
The note further declared that Greece
is in no way implicated in the annexa-
ZIONIST movement In Crete ana tnae sno
loyal attitude as in the past In con-
ciusion the note said:
I'VE trust that these frank explana-
tions will dissipate all misunderstanding
ings and help to inaugurate an era or
cordial and loyal relations between the
two countries to their mutual ad-
vantage
On the 14th instant the four protecting
powers, having been notified by the
Cretan authorities that
Powers 1t was unable to secure
W. the hauling down of the
Greek flag in Crete, pre-
sented joint note to the Turkish gov
ernment. It declared that the powers
would cause the flag hoisted by the
Cretans to be removed permanently.
And 1t expressed the hope that under
such circumstances Turkey would not
think It necessary to order her fleet
to proceed to Cretan waters.
On the 18th the Cretan government re-
signed and the administration of the is
land was placed in the hands of a pro-
yisiOnal committee.
A dispatch from London on that day
said: "A peaceful solution of the Cretan
situation appears to have been practically
secured through the Intervention of tho
four protecting powers and the Scrupu-
lousy correct attitude of the Greek gov
ernment in Its diplomatic intercourse with
Turkey, and despite the fact that the
Turkish government, under the pressure
OF national agitation, handled the dip.o-
matte difficulty in an unskillful manner I'm
demanding fresh guarantees from Greece.
The Young Turkey party plainly mis-
trust the present Turkish ministry and
fear that Turkey will lose the slzerainty
of Crete as she has lost that of Bulgaria
This feeling has led to a strong movement
among the AlbanianS against the Turkish
government and to a serious boycott
against Greek trade. At the same time
the population OF Crete has shown such
strong Greek sy1npathies as to induce
Crete to defy the order Of the protecting
powers-Sreat Britain, France. Italy and
which was raised when the troops of the
r
On tho 18th instant the provisional conf
nlittee, to which the administration of the
island had been intrusted
Crisis on the resignation Ct tho
Cretan cabinet, resigned
01iises' and took the oath of allie
glance to the king and kingdom OF
Greece. II thus remained for the powers
to execute its promises made to the
Turks, namely, that 1t would haul down
the Greek flag in Crete permanently"
that is, that it would re-occupy Crete.
IN the t7th the international Suuadrons