The reply of the Powers to the recent decree of
the Cretan Assembly proclaiming the union with Greece was communi- cated to the Assembly on Saturday last. As was to be expected, the Powers declare any alteration of the existing political status of the island to be impossible at present, and refer to the concessions made to Prince George on April 3rd as representing the maximum they can accord. The attitude of Greece was defined by the Premier, M. Delyanni, in the Chamber on the same day. His Government, he said,
sympathised with the desire of the insurgent chiefs for union with Greece, and he had himself recommended to the Powers the demand of the Cretan Chamber. At the same time, the Government would refuse "all participation in any action which tended to abolish in any part of the island the regime established by the Powers, and, disapproving of the revo- lutionary movement, they would advise them to restrict them- selves to seeking for reforms and to resume their occupations." This reminds one somewhat of the two-edged Greek oracles of old; but in justice to M. Delyanni it must be borne in mind that the position of Greece in the matter is extremely delicate.
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