This is so exactly Mr. Gladstone’s suggestion, that, if the report is true, the Sultan would seem to have been influenced by him.

Mr. Gladstone in his letter showed clearly how such an arrangement would be of benefit to all concerned, and spoke of the island of Cyprus as an example.  Cyprus was once under the rule of Turkey, but is now governed by the Queen of England, and pays a tribute to Turkey.

It is to be hoped that this telegram is true, but we must remember that it is only news, and not history, and therefore we must be quite prepared to have it contradicted next week.

The blockade of Crete is now complete.  No ships are allowed to enter the ports that bring supplies to the Cretans or Greeks.

But the Greeks are not submitting tamely to the blockade.

There are two forts that guard the entrance to Canea, and both of them are being vigorously besieged by the insurgents, with the intention of establishing a blockade of Canea on the landward side, and so keeping the troops of the Powers enclosed where they can do little harm.

A late despatch from Crete says that the Cretans have forced the Turks to flee from Malaxa, and have killed the garrison.

During the fight over Malaxa, the Turkish warships in the Bay of Suda opened fire on the Cretans, with the hope of dislodging them from the heights around Malaxa.  The Powers have had the grace to be very much disturbed at this, and have sent word to the admirals in command of the fleets at Crete, that they may use their own best judgment about ordering the Turkish warships to leave Crete.

[Illustration:  The Turkish Bastion in Canea with the flags of the six Powers flying.]

The admirals decided that the forts of Malaxa and Keratide must be kept out of the hands of the Cretans, and so they sent word to the insurgents that the Powers forbade them to attack either fort.

The Cretans did not take the slightest notice of this order, but continued the attack, and drove the Turks out.  The allied warships in the Bay of Suda at once opened fire on the Cretans, who withstood the fire bravely.

The result of the whole matter has been that, though the insurgents gained a decided victory over the Turks, the foreign Powers have stepped in between them and their prize, and are occupying the town of Malaxa.

The Cretans must heartily wish that the Powers would go away and mind their own business, and leave them to settle their own affairs.

If it were not so sad and so serious, it would be amusing to watch the double game that Turkey is playing with the Powers, and how she is laughing in her sleeve at the whole of Europe.

After months of conferences, and diplomatic fussing over plans of mighty reforms which the Sultan was to make for the unfortunate Armenians, the “unspeakable Turk” has not made one single effort to improve the condition of these unhappy people.  He has waited until the Powers of Europe have so tangled themselves up over him, that he finds them befriending him, and firing on brother Christians for his sweet sake, while he is still at liberty to have a few more Armenians massacred without the fear of any consequences.