Runcorn and Widnes Examiner. — 1870-04-30 (Runcorn, Cheshire, England)

THE MURDERS BY THE GRREK BRIGANDS.  (From the Daily News.) The publication of the Official Correspondence on the tragedy in Greece will do but little to allay either the horror or the indignation of the public at that stupendous outrage. A more aimless and insenate murder than that of our three countrymen and their Italian companion has never been perpetrated. It is not only difficult to discover any trace of motive for the massacre, but impossible to suggest any rational motive which does not seem to be altogether against it. It is quite possible to understand how national prejudices may, among a savage and ignorant people, lead to deeds of violence against intruding foreigners ; and it is pretty clearly understood that travellers whom the desire for adventure or the love of knowledge leads to such countries go with their lives in their hands, and at their own risks. But the brigands of Greece know no such prejudices. They are merely vulgar robbers, who prowl the country for plunder, and who make prisoners for the sake of the ransom. That the hope of a large ransom was the motive for the seizure of Mr. Herbert, Mr. Vyner, and their party, is unquestionable. The bandits knew that they had made a valuable capture, and wished to make the most of it. The brigands had thus every possible reason for keeping their victims alive. Their murder was as impolitic and foolish as it was outrageous and cruel. It not only cut off the brigands' chance of ransom, but destroyed their hope of escape. Even Greek desperadoes must know that En,glishmen are not to be butchered with impunity. They must have been aware that they were braving the vengeance of a ....,reat and powerful people. They must have felt that they were transforming themselves from gaolers, with whom a Government would condescend to treat for the release of their captives, into murderers, whom the whole civilized world would unite in execrating. It is so characteristic of weak people to cast blame all round when an untoward .event has happened, that we are reluctant to inquire by what blundering this sad calamity was provoked. The official correspondence will, however, leave no doubt where the blame must lie. But quite apart from any question of blame is the question of punishment. The blood of these murdered Englishmen cries to us from the ground, and the Government will be compelled to echo the demand for justice, if not the cry for vengeance. We have a right to ask that the Greek Government shall give us satisfactory proof that the whole band of brigands has paid the penalty of the crime. It is already known that thirteen ot the twenty-one villains have been either killed or taken but eight, including the chief, were still at large, although it was hoped they would soon be captured. To insist on their capture and execution will, of course, be the immediate duty of the Government; while such satisfaction as the Hellenic Government can give to the surviving relatives must be given. The occupation of Greece is not the way to avenge our countrymen. They can be avenged only on their murderers, and they must be so avenged. But when the British public is asked to go beyond this immediate object, and to spend some millions of money in trying to make the roads of Attica safe for tourists, the dead are not avenged—they are abused. We do not believe that the Government will venture to propose, or the House of Commons to sanction, any such misdirection of the national indignation.