The murder, in cold blood, of men so well known,
so popular, and so entirely guiltless of offence, even against bandit law—for the money demanded was ready—has thrown the British public into a fever of indignation. Demands are made on all sides for vengeance on the brigands who murdered them, on the persons in Athens who betrayed them, and on the Government which refused to deliver them by an amnesty. The first two demands are, of course, just,—more especially the second,—but the third is unjust, though unfortunately sanctioned by the Foreign Secretary. There is, however, a very grave case against the Hellenic Govern- ment for its want alike of fidelity and of humanity in breaking its pledge about the troops ; and we have endeavoured to show else- where how this may be, and should be, visited on them, without breaking the laws either of morality or of nations. The Govern- ment is not only ready but eager to take the strongest justifiable measures, and the Protecting Powers have, it is reported, combined to transmit certain demands to Athens, which must be accepted, and which will include the extinction of brigandage.
