In the Wilderness
The chapter analyses the reasons for Venizelos's confrontation with the prince, from their respective points of view. A reason for Venizelos was his restless desire for progress towards union with Greece, through a more genuine autonomy. There was also a personal element. He was not someone to sit down meekly in face of the sharp attacks of the prince's advisers who set out to stop his mouth. The fundamental reason was dispute over union, reflecting two different political philosophies, popular sovereignty for Venizelos, the interests of the Glücksburg dynasty for prince George. The clash pushed the prince into more arbitrary measures, the closure of Venizelos's newspaper, and his short imprisonment. His rallies and island-wide visits before the assembly elections of March 1903 showed that he was still a popular figure. But though Venizelos was cold shouldered when he visited Athens to explain his position, it would be wrong to see him as isolated. Politically aware Cretans were taking sides, the prince's arbitrary behavior was alienating members of the professional classes.