The Cretan affair advances reluctantly, but it does advance. The
Sultan retreats slowly, but he retreats ; and his last request to keep a fortress or two has now been decisively refused. If he will not withdraw his soldiers, he is told, they will be compelled to withdraw by the troops—eleven thousand of them—now in occupation, and his sovereignty will be formally brought to an end. He will, therefore, withdraw them, and the Admirals will then ask the Christians to give up their arms, and will administer the island until the four Powers have selected a Governor, who must be, it is well understood, Prince George. There is always room for mis- chance where Abd-ul-Hamid is concerned; but if Lord Salisbury will be dogged no mischance will occur. Russia, and therefore France, wish the Greek Prince to have Crete.
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