NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE condition of South-Eastern Europe grows more un- settled. In Crete, the insurrection is spreading rapidly, and something very like general anarchy prevails in the island. Meantime, the Porte is sending troops and a Commission com- posed of several of the more enlightened Turkish officials. It is very much to be hoped that if independence is the result of the movement, the Powers will not let Crete be saddled with a huge tribute. The ill-effects of such an arrangement in Cyprus ought to be a warning. There, all hope of improving the condition of the people is destroyed by the necessity of finding the annual subsidy. In Servia, the situation has evidently become exceedingly serious, though what is going to be the net result of the present perplexities it is difficult to see. Milan has returned to Belgrade, and, strange to relate, has been reconciled to his old enemy, the Metropolitan Michael ; while an arrange- ment, it is said, has been made permitting Queen Natalie to see her son, on condition that she does not attempt to reside permanently in Servia. Her visits are never to exceed a fort- night, and are not to take place more than twice a year. The air is full of rumours explaining the ex-King's conduct, and hinting that a Russian intrigue is at the bottom of the whole business. The Servian Government are reported to have suddenly taken up a hostile attitude towards the Porte, and the Bulgarian Cabinet believe that " there is an intention on the part of Servia, under Russian incitement, to disturb the existing order of things, thus forcing Bulgaria to take up arms." Very likely there is no real foundation for these fears, but evidently great uneasiness prevails as to the general outlook.
