Prince George of Greece left Crete on August 30th on
a tour to the European capitals, from which it is supposed that he will not return to the island. He has proved himself an incompetent High Commissioner, and after drawing all power into his own hands, mastering the local Parliament, and virtually suppressing the Press, has shown himself incapable of using the authority thus acquired. The resulting dis- content has reached almost the point of revolution, the Prince admits his failure, and with his people advocates union with Greece. It must come to that in the end ; but Crete seems to require in its own interests an interregnum during which a wise and strong administrator appointed by the Powers, a man like Baron Kallay or Lord Cromer, could once more make the law supreme, remove discontent, and restore the public fortune. The period of his rule need not be more than ten years, and it should be prefaced by a definite promise that at the end of that time Crete would be permitted to choose between a continued autonomy and union with Greece. At present the subjection of the island to the caprices and intrigues of the Parliament of Athens would almost certainly result in an anarchy which would again call for the interference of the Powers. Possibly the Cretan representatives, as the Times suggests, might strengthen that Parliament ; but what is wanted just now is good administration, not debate.
The death of the ex-Sultan Murad V. from diabetes, which Wynyard Park, Stockton-on-Tees, last Saturday, and dealt at
Previous page
