Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-31

The dissolution of the Greek chamber
on the 18th instant and the announce
ment that elections for a
VeneZelOS' new parliament would be
held on the oath instant re-
'S'oAy' suited on that day in a COM
plete victory for Premier Nenezelos. All
Greece is the scene of great rejoicing.
where n is taken to mean that the pre-
miers plans for complete regeneration of
Greece may now be contaminated with
out further serious embarrassment from
the opposition.
1t will be recalled that amid the most
chaotic and troubled conditions NJ. Nene-
Zelos formed a minority in October. 1910.
NJ. Eenezelos declared on that occasion
that he aimed TO Danish all traces Of the
anomalous state of affairs which existed
in the army since 1905 and restore mill
tary discipline at home and peace in the
exterior relations of Greece. There was
dissension i'll the cabinet and NJ. Nene-
zelos resigned, but the king, who had con-
tidence in his premier. refused to accept
his resignation. The kings confidence
and that of the chamber has been justi-
fled, for NJ Venezelos has shown himself
to be a strong man and capable.
The assassination of four Mussulman
residents of Crete has brought that
troublous question again to the attention
of the powers particularly interested.
The representatives of the powers in
Crete. according to "a note dated February
IL, informed the Cretan authorities that
they would find means to discover ana
punish the authors of the recent mas
sacres and 20 maintain order in the island
This note provoked in Crete a marked
emotion, for the protection of Mussulmans
and the maintenance of order We're the
two conditions of the execution of the
island by the powers. The Cretan gov
eminent therefore published a circular in
viting the attention OF the population to
the gravity of the situation created.
In addition TO this note the NeneZelist
cabinet telegraphed the Cretan insurrec-
tionary government that it would sup
port at any cost the maintenance of law
and order and thus avoid the displeasure
OF the powers.
On the Nth of March, however, dis
patch from Canea announced that the
military branch of the
Cretan Cretan government de-
rr,,,hIo posed the executive gov
erning body and assumed
control of affairs. There was no disorder,
but conditions were chaotic.
In the meantime France and Great
Britain and Russia decided to send SUP
Elementary vessels of war to Crete not
only to maintain order, but prevent the
Cretan deputies from leaving Crete
deputies recently elected to the Greek
chamber.
Italy would not send ships of war be-
cause she had recognized the neutrality
of Crete in the beginning of her war with
e
this moment tends to prevent declara
ton Of war by Turkey against Greece
as a measure of reprisal for the murder
of Mussulmans in Crete. The powers are
convinced that such an event would bring
on general war in the Balkans, and
they desire to prevent that by every
means in their power.
A subject of constant perpleXity to the
powers is the threatened departure of
several Cretan deputies for Athens,
there to take seats in the Greek parla
ment. Finally the more surely to pre-
vent such an event the powers caused the
arrest of the deputies, who were convey
ed aboard French cruiser at Canea,
where they are still detained. Had these
gentlemen succeeded in getting away to
Athens, as they proposed, and entered the
Greek chamber of deputies, this would
have served the Turks as a preteXt. to de-
clare war against Greece. The govern
ment of the porte has declared more than
casus belii.
Now. 1t is very true that Turkeys
finances are again in a deplorable condi-
ton, and Turkey is said to be exposed
at any moment to find herself with
out funds to pay her functionaries and
without sufficient credit to contract a
new loan. 1t is not possible to assume
that the powers are willing to compro-
mise their interests at this moment by
attempting to impose peace upon the
Turks 1t is. therefore, logical to con-
clude, however strange it may seem, that
peace between Turkey and Italy appears
to be both necessary and impossible.
How is it possible to solve d riddle of
such a nature?
:. x
1t is easy to imagine the perturba-
tions which a proongation of the Italo-
Turkish war may pre-
Agitation cipitate in the European
III,