Constructing Ionian identities: the Ionian Islands in British official ...

Storks wanted to be prepared to “act vigorously” and assert his control in the
Islands. 23 He did not consider the Assembly an independent part of the government.
When his measures failed, rather than adopt the practice of conciliation, he dissolved
it. His representation of Ionians as incapable of self-rule and requiring a strong and
able hand, resembled the language of some of his predecessors, Maitland, Douglas,
and Ward. But unlike these governors, who had primarily noted the Ionians’
European nature, Storks described them as Oriental rather than European. Storks’s
military career had taken him to Turkey and Asia and he saw more similarities in
Ionian culture with Eastern countries than with Europe. Previous governors were
uncertain what form of rule was needed since they could not place Ionians in the
East or the West (Europe). For Storks, there was no ambiguity as to where Ionians
belonged and, because they were oriental, authoritarian rule was permissible for
them. Bowen felt Storks was “a good despot”, managing everything himself and
giving the Ionians “as little as possible to self-government”. 24 Bowen, who had
assisted every Lord High Commissioner since Ward, reflected on the difficulties they
faced in ruling the Islands and laid the blame for problems on the Assembly. He
noted
All new commissioners are popular at first but then the personal
jealousies, dislikes and patronage for office, change the situation for
the governors as new expectations arise from the community for the
governors to fulfill. It is difficult for the governors to device what
temper the new Parliament will work on. 25
23 Storks to Newcastle, Most Confidential, 14 July 1859, CO 136/166.
24 Bowen to Gladstone, 10 June 1859, Gladstone Papers, Add. MS 44391.
25 Ibid.
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