It is understood that the Cretan Amnesty will contain some
remarkable features. A large number of reforms will be
promised, such as impartial tribunals, economy in expendi- ture, improvements in the ports, naval schools, industrial schools, model farms, Chambers of Commerce, and civilised paraphernalia of that kind ; but the half of the Customs revenue of the island, which is now devoted to the payment of the gendarmerie, will " be appropriated by the Porte, which will defray the cost of the gendarmerie itself." That clause in the decree will be carried out, and the total effect will be that half the Customs revenue will go to Constantinople to be fought for by the Palace and the Porte, that the gendarmerie will be left to pay themselves as they best can, and that the "reforms" will be left for the next generation to demand. That is the usual result of reforming decrees in Turkey, and then the West wonders that Christians turn for help to Russia or Greece, or anybody with soldiers at disposal.
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