THE CRETAN QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2577, 11 August 1909, Page 5

THE CRETAN QUESTION.

BECOMING ACUTE. THE DEMANDSTOF THE PORTE. United Peeks Association —Copyright. LONDON, August .9. The Cretan question is becoming acute. The Porte is demanding specific assurances from Greece. THE POWERS ACTING AS PEACEMAKERS. GREECE SENDS CONCILIATORY REPLY TO TURKEY. (Received August 10, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. The Powers urged the Cretans not- to hoist their flag on Canea fort, and the flag has been lowered. The Powers also counselled the Porte to show moderation. The reply of Greece to Turkey is couched in reassuring and friendly terms.

[The international troops were withdrawn from Crete on July 28, but the protecting Powers (Great Britain, Russia, France, and Italy) have warned the Cretan Government that they will watch over the safety of the Mohammedan inhabitants and will re-establish order in the event of a disturbance. The relations of Turkey and Greece were much improved until the Cretan question last year re-assumed an acute form. Chefket Pasha has since affirmed that Turkey is prepared to maintain her rights in Crete and has talked about being able to march 200,000 troops to Athens. Tho advent recently of a new Greek Ministry under M. Ralli, who is said to pursue a policy of entente with Turkey, was expected to smooth matters. The Athens correspondent of the “Times” recently wrote : “It is well known that the Turkish Government is averse to treating with Greece over the Cretan question, and insists on dealing, exclusively with tho four protecting Powers, who have taken the island in pledge. That attitude, I have reason to believe, will be maintained by the Turkish Government, which would deprecate tho withdrawal of any of the four Powers from their responsibilities in this matter. The Athens journals point to tho exeinplary tranquility which Greece lias maintained since the outbreak of tho crisis last October, as -well as to the influence she has exercised nn preventing tho Cretans from indulging in troublesome demonstrations. Greece has thus, it is urged, established a claim to favorable consideration on the part of Europe and proved her unwillingness to venture on a policy of escapade. The possibility that the question may be settled on a financial basis seems not to be excluded, and both Turks and Greeks of moderate views are disposed to favor a solution.”]