age, Mr. Gladstone calls the Powers to
account for the action they are taking. He declares that they are
listening to the advice of two ambitious young rulers, the Emperor of
Germany and the Czar of Russia, and allowing themselves to be guided by
the desires of these young men, instead of listening to the voice of the
people, which is decidedly against their actions.

He speaks in no friendly terms of Turkey, her massacres and her misrule,
and says that Greece has done a great service for the world in helping
Crete to throw off the yoke of such a sovereign as the Sultan.

He hopes that the people of Europe may be allowed to say what they think
in the matter, and feels confident that Greece will then no longer be
interfered with. He thinks the only true way to settle the difficulty, is
to let the Cretans have their own government under the rule of Greece, and
pay tribute to Turkey.

Every one is wondering whether these bold words of Mr. Gladstone will have
an effect on the situation.

The so-called Concert of the Powers does not seem to exist any longer. The
six powers are divided among themselves. Great Britain and Italy hold
together in not wanting harsh measures used with Greece; Germany and
Russia think force ought to be used, and France and Austria are
undecided.

Some of the foreign papers are saying that it is quite impossible for the
Powers ever to come to an understanding.

Some people are thinking that Mr. Gladstone's letter has already had an
effect, for a private telegram from Paris states that the Sultan of Turkey
has sent word to the Powers that he is willing to let King George of
Greece occupy the island of Crete, and govern it, provided that he pays
tribute for it.

This is so exactly Mr. Gladstone's suggestion, that, if the report is
true, the Sultan would seem to have been influenced by him.

Mr. Gladstone in his letter showed clearly how such an arrangement would
be of benefit to all concerned, and spoke of the island of Cyprus as an
example. Cyprus was once under the rule of Turkey, but is now governed by
the Queen of England, and pays a tribute to Turkey.

It is to be hoped that this telegram is true, but we must remember that it
is only _news_, and not _history_, and therefore we must be quite prepared
to have it contradicted next week.

The blockade of Crete is now complete. No ships are allowed to enter the
ports that bring supplies to the Cretans or Greeks.

But the Greeks are not su