THE SITUATION IN CRETE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5655, 28 August 1896, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE SITUATION IN CRETE.

The latest developments of the Cretan situation are of a more hopeful character than seemed to be possible a few days ago, when Turkey was reported to be mobilising a large army. The Sultan is now reported to be disposed to grant some measure of self-government to the disaffected Christians, on lines suggested by the G-reat Powers. It was stated a few days ago that the Powers were urging the Cretan Christians to moderate their demands. These demands, according to a Eeuter's telegram published in London, are : — l. The economic independence of Crete. 2. The Customs revenue to remain in the Cretan Treasury. 3. A. special tax to be fixed as a tribute to the Sultan. 4. The Governor to be a Christian chosen by the Porte, and to have the right of veto over laws voted by the Assembly. "We have no information as to to the modifications which the ifowers recommend, and which the Porte is disposed to accept; but it may safely be assumed that these will be such as to nnintain the fovereign rights of the Sultan. If the Cretans should receive a Christian Governor, and, above all, a guarantee from the Powers that the laws will be faithfully- administered, their grievances would be fairly met. At the same time, the granting of autonomy would be the surest guarantee-to the Cretans, who may well distrust assurances and written engagements by the Great Powers, in view of the shameful desertion of the .Armenians. The Vatican organ, the Voce clella Verita, \ has been urging the granting of selfgovernment to Crete. " For nearly a century," it remarks, " Europe has allowed the creation of small States for the emancipation of the Levant Christians. "Why stop now, and leave the whole of Levant Christianity to perish ? This, from their impassibility before the slaughter of the Armenians, seems the present intention of the Powers." "Without wishing to endanger the general peace, the Papal organ expressed the opinion that " exaggerated inactivity and timorous petrification in the status quo involve greater dangers than any innovating action." The more hopeful aspect of affairs at present is due to the changed attitude of Eussia, whose Christian conscience has been aroused. The Novoe Vremya, which ia believed to take its cue from the Russian Foreign Office, lately insisted that the reforms promised by Turkey must be introduced at once.

*' So-called concessions made to diplomatic representatives, whether preferred singly or collectively by the European Ambassadors, have so far led to no result. They will no longer suffice to satiafy Europe that the Porte is in earnest. The baleful system of Turkish rule which prevents the left hand from knowing what the right hand does must be rooted out," In conjunction with France, Russia has interceded actively on behalf of the Cretans, and there can be no doubt that the action of these two nations has done much to bring the Sultan into a more reasonable frame of mind.