Cretan Autonomy

The chapter describes the transition between disturbances in Crete and Greek-Turkish war in Thessaly, and the birth of Cretan autonomy with the arrival of Prince George of Greece as High Commissioner of the Powers. The autonomy was still not 'full and genuine' (Venizelos's phrase) and union (enosis) was still distant. In this transition Venizelos was engaged in consulting widely in Crete and at revolutionary assemblies, first arguing for early union (which put him in danger at an assembly at Archanes) then accepting that autonomy was the right answer, to be strengthened progressively until union became feasible. The main players at this stage were Venizelos, the Cretan elder statesman Sfakianakis and the representatives of the Powers. Their common interest was to agree a settlement that would restore peace and good government including in the interior of the island, and assure the protection of the Muslim minority. Ottoman official involvement in Crete, already diminished, was virtually ended when after a bloody disturbance in Iraklio, the British insisted on the departure of Ottoman troops. Prince George was appointed by the Powers and arrived, to jubilation of the Christians, in December 1998, welcomed by Venizelos. This was a new and hopeful start.