Page:1902 Encyclopædia Britannica - Volume 27 - CHI-ELD.pdf/306

 272

CRETE

responsible to the Chamber, which may impeach them before a special tribunal for any illegal act or neglect of duty. Large exceptional legislative and administrative powers were accorded to the prince at the opening of his rule. In general the Cretan constitution is characterized by a conservative spirit, and contrasts with the ultrademocratic systems established in Greece and the Balkan States. A further point of difference is the more liberal payment of public functionaries in Crete. For administrative purposes the departmental divisions existing under the Turkish Government have been retained. There are 5 nomoi or prefectures (formerly sanjaks) each under a prefect (co/xdpyt^s), and 23 eparchies (formerly kazas) each under a sub-prefect (e-rrapxos). All these functionaries are nominated by the prince. The prefects are assisted by departmental councils. The system of municipal and communal government remains practically unchanged. The island is divided into 86 communes, each with a mayor, an assistant-mayor, and a communal council. The mayors and their assistants were formerly elected; they are now appointed by the high commissioner, who also for the present nominates the members of the communal councils. The councils assess within certain limits the communal taxes, maintain roads, bridges, &c., and generally superintend local affairs. Public order is maintained by a force of gendarmery (x^po^vXaKr/) organized and at present commanded by 110 Italian officers, who in course of time will be succeeded by natives. The proposed strength was 1400 men, but this number has been reduced to 1246. The expenditure for the maintenance of this force forms the heaviest item in the budget. The constitution authorizes the formation of a militia (TroArroc/juAa/o}) to be enrolled by conscription, but in existing circumstances the embodiment of this force seems unnecessary. The administration of justice is on the French model. A supreme court of appeal, which also discharges the functions of a court of cassation, sits at Canea. There are two assize courts at Canea and Candia respectively with jurisdiction in regard to serious offences (KaKovpyrjjuiTa). Minor offences (TrA^/x^ieA^/xara) and civil causes are tried by courts of first instance in each of the five departments. There are 26 justices of peace, to whose decision are referred slight contraventions of the law (TTratcr/xara) and civil causes in which the amount claimed is below 600 francs. These functionaries also hold monthly sessions in the various communes. The judges are chosen without regard to religious belief, and precautions have been taken to render them independent of political parties. They are appointed, promoted, transferred, or removed by order of the council of justice, a body composed of the five highest judicial dignitaries, sitting at Canea. An order for the removal of a judge must be based upon a conviction for some specified offence before a court of law. The jury system has not been introduced. The Greek penal code has been adopted with some modifications. The Ottoman civil code is maintained for the present, but it is proposed to establish a code recently drawn up by Greek jurists which is mainly based on Italian and Saxon law. The Mussulman cadis retain their jurisdiction in regard to religious affairs, marriage, divorce, the wardship of minors and inheritance. Finance.—The budget estimates for the year 1900, the first which had been made up for a complete year under the new autonomous government, were as given below. In addition to the regular revenues inscribed in the budget, a sum estimated at 3,700,000 dr. approximately remained available, derived from the issue of a new coinage and other exceptional sources. . The four protecting Powers further advanced 1,000,000 fr. each to defray the

initial expenses of the High Commissioner’s Government. It was proposed to expend considerable sums on roadmaking Receipts. Drachmae. Expevditure. Drachmae. Direct taxation. . . 1,524,320 High Commissioner. . 200,000 Indirect taxation (stamps, Financial administration . 594,000 dues, &c.). . . 662,737 Interior .... 485,000 Monopolies . . . 124,000 Gendarmery . . . 1,686,000 State domains, and other Education. . . 832,000 property . . . 132,638 Justice .... 577,000 Export dues (1 per cent.). 93,144 Import dues (8 per cent.) 4,374,000 and taxes on consumption 1,312,894 Other sources. . . 232,444 4,082,177 and public works. The Cretans are at present more lightly taxed than any people in Europe. The tithe has been replaced by an export tax on agricultural produce levied at the custom-houses, and the smaller peasant proprietors and shepherds of the mountainous districts are practically exempt from any contribution to the State. The communal tax does not exceed on the average 2 fr. annually for each family. The poorer communes are aided by a State subvention. Notwithstanding the havoc wrought during repeated insurrections, the impoverishment of the peasants, the desolation of the districts formerly inhabited by the Moslem agricultural population, and the drain of gold resulting from the sale of Moslem lands and emigration of the former proprietors, the financial prospects of the island were favourable, and a rapid recovery of prosperity was anticipated. Production and Industries.—Owing to the volcanic nature of its soil, Crete is probably rich in minerals. Recent experiments lead to the conclusion that iron, lead, manganese, lignite, and sulphur exist in considerable abundance. Copper and zinc have also been found. A large number of applications for mining concessions have been received since the establishment of the autonomous government. The principal wealth of the island is derived from its olive groves ; notwithstanding the destruction of many thousands of trees during each successive insurrection, the production is apparently undiminished, and will probably increase very considerably owing to the planting of young trees and the improved methods of cultivation which the Government is endeavouring to promote. The orange and lemon groves have also suffered considerably, but new varieties of the orange tree are now being introduced, and an impulse will be given to the export trade in this fruit by the removal of the restriction on its importation into Greece. Agriculture is still in a primitive condition ; notwithstanding the fertility of the arable land the supply of cereals is far below the requirements of the population. A great portion of the central plain of Monofatsi, the principal grainproducing district, is lying fallow owing to the exodus of the Moslem peasantry. The cultivation of silk cocoons, formerly a flourishing industry, has greatly declined in recent years, but efforts are now being made to revive it. There are few manufactures. Soap is produced at fifteen factories in the principal towns, and there are two distilleries of cognac at Candia. Commerce.—The commerce of the island was expected to develop rapidly under the new system of government. The total value of the exports for the year 1899 was 8,040,912 drachm®. The principal exports were olive oil, value 4,361,029 dr.; soap, value 320,806 ; and hides, value 208,170 dr. Oranges, lemons, almonds, and valonia are exported in considerable quantities. The countries which accept the largest share of Cretan produce are Turkey, England, Egypt, Austria, and Russia, in the order named. The total value of imports in 1899 was 15,842,743 dr. Imports from Turkey are valued at 5,865,350 dr., from Greece at 5,147,193 dr., from Austria at 2,030,826 dr., from Roumania at 1,051,145 dr., from Egypt at 655,548 dr., from Italy at 463,833 dr., from France at 180,397 dr., from England at 149,986 dr., from Bulgaria at 107,503 dr. Cereals are imported from the Black Sea and Danubian ports, ready-made clothing from Austria and Germany, articles of luxury from Austria and France, and cotton textiles from England. Imports are charged 8 per cent., exports 1 per cent, ad valorem duty. According to a law published in 1899, Turkish merchandise is subjected to the same rates as that of foreign nations. Population.—According to the census taken in 1881, the complete publication of which was interdicted by the Turkish authorities, the population of the island was 279,165, or 35'78 to the square kilometre. Of this total, 141,602 were males, 137,563 females; 33,173 were literate, 242,114 illiterate; 205,010 were orthodox Christians, 73,234 Moslems, and 921 of other