The latest news seems very serious indeed, almost as if this Cretan matter were going to bring about the European war that has been so long feared.
Russia has suddenly become very indignant with England, declaring that she has stirred up this Cretan trouble, so that, in the confusion that will follow, she may be able to secure some important ports in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Russians have ranged themselves on the side of Turkey, and insist that the only way for peace to be restored in Crete is for Russian and French war-ships to occupy the ports, and force the people back into quiet.
England will not submit to anything of this sort, and if Russia and France take such action, war is bound to follow.
It must not be supposed that a war with Turkey is going to be an easy thing.
The Turkish soldiers are a fine, well-drilled body of men; indeed, the English Minister to Greece stated that the Turkish soldiers were the finest he had ever seen.
The Janizaries, the most famous regiment of soldiers in the world, are the body-guard of the Sultan of Turkey.
Not only are they well-drilled and powerful men, but they fight absolutely without fear. A Turkish soldier will never run away—he fights till he conquers or dies. This is due to his religion, which teaches him that what is to be will be, and that if it is his fate to be killed he will be killed, whether he runs away or stays in the battle.
So he stays—and does all the harm he can before his fate, whatever it may be, overtakes him.
It is also his belief that if he is killed in battle his sins are forgiven him, and he will go straight to Paradise; so he has no fear of the fight, and makes a very stubborn and dangerous foe.