25 AUGUST 1906, Page 2

. The situation in Crete has become very peculiar. It

was rumoured that Prince George, whose administration has not been a success, was to be allowed to retire, and that the appointment of his successor was to rest in the hands of the King of the Hellenes, subject to the approval of the Powers. The difficulty in such an arrangement is that the Civil Governor would naturally be a Greek, and a Greek commoner would have no prestige, and would be compelled to fall back upon the international authorities; while, on the other hand, the appointment of a foreigner would be met by determined hostility from both Greeks and Cretans. On Monday it was announced from Athens that M. Zaimis had been appointed Governor. It is an experiment the result of which it is impossible to predict. The new Governor will have none of the authority which belongs to a Royal Prince, and though he will be supported by the Powers, and presumably by Athens, it is difficult to see how the troubles which attended Prince George's rule will not be increased under him. He is an untried man, and whatever his abilities, he will have to contend with all the difficulties which spring from mixed races, mixed religions, and national aspirations none the less violent because unwarrantable.