I waited on him, as I had on the former envoys of the Sultan, as a matter of etiquette, and was surprised by the just and reasonable tone and substance of his propositions.

They seemed even better for the Cretans than annexation to Greece, and I so represented them to Mr.Morris.But I received from him the orders of General Ignatieff to urge the Cretans to reject them, as the certain alternative was their independence and annexation to Greece.

I obeyed my orders without concealing my own sentiments in favor of the acceptance of the offers of the grand vizier.
A'ali made on me an impression of honesty and justice such as I had never seen in any Turkish official.

He dissembled none of his difficulties, and discussed the questions arising out of the position without reserve.

For the first time since the affair began I felt my sympathies drawn to the Turkish aspect of the political question involved.