The Turk is out of Crete at last, the last
armed soldier leaving on Friday afternoon. The Sultan, it is said, was still inclined to delay, hoping that France and England might come to blows, in which case he would again fill the island with Bashi-bazouks. He desired, he told the Ambassadors, to retain two or three little garrisons, to receive a small tribute, and to keep Turkish coins as currency. The Admirals were compelled, therefore, to inform the Governor that he, his soldiers, and his civil servants must go this week, or they would be removed by force, in which case, added the Admirals, their moral obligation to preserve any remnant of the Sultan's authority would be at an end. At the last moment, accordingly, the Turkish Governor received the order to depart; but the incident shows how closely Abd-ul-Hamid watches the European Powers, and how ready he is to take advantage of the slightest appearance of disunion among them. Note as a curious symptom that in the sections of the island under French and Russian guardianship the gendarmes wear a cross on their uniform so that no Mussulmans can enlist. Our officers enlist everybody, and rather prefer old Ottomans, who will obey orders and, if necessary, fight hard.
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