File:Travels and politics in the Near East (1898) (14781152141).jpg

Identifier: travelspolitic00mill (find matches)
Title: Travels and politics in the Near East
Year: 1898 (1890s)
Authors: Miller, William, 1864-1945
Subjects: Eastern question (Balkan) Balkan Peninsula
Publisher: New York : Frederick A. Stokes
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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the hopesof the former, who expect to have things all their ownway. Statistics are very hard to obtain in Crete, butaccording to the census made under Photiades Pasha ini88r (the last figures procurable), there were 205,000Orthodox Greeks and only 73,234 Mussulmans in theisland, in spite of the efforts of the Turkish Governmentto increase the number of the latter by the immigrationof Arabs. Hitherto, thanks to the Turkish Governmentand the Turkish soldiers, this minority has been able toregard itself as the dominant class; but, with a GreekPrince as governor, there will be a danger that themajority will endeavour to over-ride the rights of theminority and will resent the well-meant efforts of the newruler to preserve fair treatment for all. The Mussulmans,however, with the few exceptions above mentioned, wouldprobably accept the Prince, provided that he came withthe consent of the Sultan and also providing that theSultan, having given his consent, did not then intrigueagainst him. 344
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Travels and Politics It is well known that the rishig of last year, as well asthe massacre at Canclia in September, was instigated fromConstantinople, whence the usual argumenis were appliedto the inborn fanaticism of the Cretan Mussulmans andthe usual orders issued to the Turkish soldiers. Thepoint-blank refusal of the Turkish Finance Minister tosanction the loan of ^T.ioo,ooo desired by the CretanAssembly, was the last straw which provoked this insur-rection. If Prince George be installed in Crete, withoutthe consent of the Sultan, his life will not be safe, for allthe Concerts ships and all its men cannot save him fromthe dagger of a resolute fanatic. That the Mussulmanswill actively resist his appointment, if they are left tothemselves, I do not believe. But all persons, whom Ihave consulted, agree that two points are absolutely es-sential to his appointment. First, the Turkish troopsmust all be withdrawn before his arrival, an event nowat last accomplished ; and secondly, the Int

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