The Island that Wasn’t: Autonomous Crete (1898–1912) and Experiments of Federalization (original) (raw)

2016, Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies

This paper discusses the inauguration of the Autonomous State of Crete in an attempt to address both the specific contextual characteristics of its foundation and a few broader theoretical questions regarding the issues of interdependency and shared sovereignty in the context of modern state building. Specifically, the paper addresses the federal aspects of the Cretan polity by reference to region and religion. At a parallel level, it integrates this discussion with three political actors directly involved in the making of Autonomous Crete: the Great Powers, Greece and the Ottoman Empire. Moving away from acute dichotomies, this discussion suggests that autonomy reveals the blurry boundaries between nation-state and empire, as well as the origins of minority politics by reference to late 19th-century colonialist interventions. Cretans! Having accepted the nomination of Russia, Britain, France and Italy as High Commissioner of your autonomous country, I am acceding to your wishes and taking over the Governorship of Crete … I rely on you to show good will and submit to the laws, and to respect the appointed authorities whose duty is to see that the laws are duly carried out. I also rely on you to forget the disputes and dissension of the past and from now on live in peace with one another, as befits the children of the same affectionate homeland regardless of religion or race … I appeal to all for assistance in the pursuit of the common good, confident that with your great patriotism you will show Crete to have become a well-governed and prosperous cradle of progress that deserves the support of the Great Powers. (Prince George of Greece, December 1898) On 21 December 1898, the quay of Suda Bay on the Mediterranean island of Crete offered an interesting spectacle. Three admirals were waiting in full ceremonial regalia to receive a fourth one, about to debark from the Russian flagship Nikolai I. They were Admirals Pottier, Sir Gerald Noel and Betollo, representing, respectively, France, Britain and Italy. As for the fourth, Admiral Skridloff of Russia, he had just arrived from the Greek kingdom together with Prince George, the son of Greece's monarch. Following a Russian initiative,