THE CRETAN QUESTION

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 11 August 1909, Page 27

THE CRETAN QUESTION

♦ CRETE, August 4. The hoisting of the Greek flag at Crete j after the departure of the international ] troops has aroused intense feeling in . Turkey, and the Chauvinistic spirit of the j army threatened complications. i The island has been un<ler the care of the four Powers since 1897, when a Gre<>k force, under Colonel Vaseos, landed. The J Greeks were ordered back, autonomy was < proclaimed, an Assembly organised, and < Prince George of Greece was appointees High C'ommifisionpr, the inland remaining ( under the nominal suzerainty of the Sultan. Under the Constitution of 1899, the Porte ' renounced its rights in consideration of the 1 puvment of a million and a-half francs, ; and the salt monopoly for 20 yean*. In 3 July, 1906. the Power-, resolved to re- ( organise the gendarmerie and create a militia to replace tli-o international troops, ' also to bottle question-* with Turkey, and to enforce equtl lights for Moslems and j Chn-stians. Pimoe George resigned, and j his place was taken by M. Zamis. The . Cretan militia will take charge now that the international tioops ha\e retired, but '• the pan-Hollcnon aie lewving the agitation for union with Gieeco, while thp Turkish 1 Government ha.= plainly indicated that no j such course will b<> tolerated The material for a war therpfoie evi-,t=; in Ciefe. an-d the po «ibiJity <.f t'oublo i» # I'-&atly1 '-&atly increased bj the v. ithdmwal of the Powers.. <