1 showing that the Islanders are all for union with
Greece.
] Wherever he has gone he has heard but one cry. His formal i and distinct statement at Corfu that he had no power to deal with the question of the Protectorate has availed him nothiag else- where, Regarding him as an "illustrious Philhellene," the islanders have been profuse of respectful courtesies, but equally profuse of declarations that their fixed desire was, not the amelioration of grievances, but annexation to Greece. In every island Mr. Gladstone has been compelled to repeat that annexa- tion is out of the question. At Zante, well aware of the in- thence of the Greek priests, he severely lectured them on the insanity of their proceedings. They had but to choose, he told them, between liberal reforms and the status quo. Only " two ,sourses " open instead of three ! Those who take the doctrine of nationality, divorced from facts, as a rule in human affairs, he said, " may be styled out of their senses." " The doctrines of ationality couched in certain terms become the doctrines of dis- r, rder and anarchy." The status quo would be the result of
Ne
viving him votes for annexation when he asked for the exposure se "N
oft'
On
f grievances and suggestions for improvement. This plain eking, and very necessary it had become, must have cooled own the enthusiasm of the priests for " Gladstone, the Phil- iellene." Verily the mission makes small progress. In the Pliaeantime Sir Edward Bulwer has sent a reply to the protest of he Corfiote deputies against Sir John Young's plan. It sup- wrts the views of Mr. Gladstone, and reminds the Ionians, alas, too late, that they have an opportunity from which, he trusts, they will not suffer themselves to be diverted "by visionary and impracticable schemes." But the opportunity had fled before the missive was published. The "votes for annexation" had been substituted for a Grand Remonstrance.
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