It gradually came out that the Powers had had a serious
disagreement--England, France, and Italy standing out against the
proposed forcing of obedience from Greece.

It was even said that the Admiral of the Italian Fleet had asked to be
exchanged from duty in Crete, because by reason of his having served
longer in the navy than any other officer of the various fleets, he had
been made Admiral of the Allied Fleets, and it was his duty to give the
orders for any action that was taken against the Cretans or Greeks. He
liked his work so little that he asked his Government to recall him, and
send some one else in his place.

It would seem that the trouble with the Powers is that they cannot all
be brought to see that the Turkish Empire is really in such a state of
decay that nothing can keep it from falling to pieces.

Germany, Russia, and Austria believe that the Empire is still strong,
and can be held together by the powerful arm of Europe. To do this they
are willing to crush and sacrifice noble little Greece.

England, France, and Italy, on the other hand, do not believe in the
saving of Turkey. They refuse to allow a brave Christian people to be
martyred for the sole purpose of shoring up an Empire that is a disgrace
to civilization, and had much better be pulled down, so that a new and
more creditable sovereignty may be built upon its ruins.

* * * * *

The work of the Powers has failed in every direction.