The disarmament of the Moslems in Camila is proceeding. Most
of the ringleaders are now in Admiral Noel's hands, a detachment of the Rifle Brigade three hundred strong has arrived at Candia from Egypt—this ubiquity of the British soldier is very impressive—and the Admirals, who seem to be acting well together, are now turning their atten- tion to the essential question of removing the Turkish troops from the island. As to this, the Times' correspondent in St. Petersburg telegraphs some very important news to Friday's paper. The Governments of France and Russia have, he says, both accepted the proposal—Germany and Austria will have no hand in the matter—that the four Great Powers shall "guarantee the safety of the Cretan Mahommedans to the same extent only that this has hitherto been done by the Turkish troops." "Consequently, the four Powers will now make joint representations to the Sultan of an impressive character as to the immediate removal of the Turkish garrisons from Crete. If this be unavailing, it is understood that stronger measures will be taken, though it is not yet clear what will be the precise nature of such measures." This, if true, as seems probable, is excellent news. Our only fear is lest at the last moment some outbreak of Russian suspiciousness, such as is even now beginning in the Russian Press, should ruin the joint action. Our Government should not be content with knowing in their own hearts that they have no shadow of a design on Crete, but should, if possible, take some step to make their disinterestedness absolutely clear to the Russians.
