for any action that was taken against the Cretans or Greeks. He
liked his work so little that he asked his Government to recall him, and
send some one else in his place.
It would seem that the trouble with the Powers is that they cannot all
be brought to see that the Turkish Empire is really in such a state of
decay that nothing can keep it from falling to pieces.
Germany, Russia, and Austria believe that the Empire is still strong,
and can be held together by the powerful arm of Europe. To do this they
are willing to crush and sacrifice noble little Greece.
England, France, and Italy, on the other hand, do not believe in the
saving of Turkey. They refuse to allow a brave Christian people to be
martyred for the sole purpose of shoring up an Empire that is a disgrace
to civilization, and had much better be pulled down, so that a new and
more creditable sovereignty may be built upon its ruins.
* * * * *
The work of the Powers has failed in every direction.
The Admirals of the Allied Fleets which are blockading Crete, received
orders from their governments to spread the news through the island that
the Powers offered Crete home rule under a European Prince, and to
assure the Cretans that the blockade would be removed the moment the
Greek troops were withdrawn from the island.
The Cretans would not listen to this. They sent replies, signed by
nearly forty thousand men, representing the entire Cretan population,
declaring that they wanted no such arrangement.
Not one of the signers approved of the idea of home rule. The Cretans
are determined to be reunited to Greece, their own mother-country, and
they intend to fight until they gain their point.
This action on the part of the Cretans turned every one's attention back
to the frontier of Greece and Turkey. It seems that the question of
Cretan liberty must be settled there.
The war fever is running very high in Greece, and King George is being
urged to declare war, and let the Greeks show the Powers they are able
to settle their own affairs for themselves.
The 6th of April was the anniversary of the first national rising in
Greece, when, in 1821, they determined to throw off the rule of Turkey,
under which they had suffered for so many long years.
This day is always celebrated in Greece as a holiday and fete day.
Coming as it did this year in the midst of such angry feelings against
the Turks, it was feared that the sold
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