St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-02-27
UNHAPPY GREECE

Thessaly and Epirus, Which are Heros of
Right, But Has Her Hands Tied--She VIII
Not Haul Down Her Colors Without a
Shot, However.
VIENNA, Feb. ia dispatch from
Athens states that several additional yes-
sells of the naval reserve have been order
ed to be put in commission with all
possible dispatch, and that all enlisted
men Of the army reserve under thirty-two
years of age have been ordered to join
their colOrs. The temper of the peo-
pie is SO warlike that the ministry would
certainly be overthrown and King George
probably be compelled to abdicate if thew
obeyed the summons of the powers to
disarm. Athenians are wrought to the
highest pitch of rage by the suggestion
telegraphed from London, that as soon
as England shall have completed the as
semblng of her Mediterranean SQUADRON
she will proceed to enforce the mandate
of the powers by disabling the Greek
feet.
This. they maintain, would be exceed.
ing all bounds of diplomatic Intervention.
and would be an act of war, pure and
simple, to be resisted by Greece to the
utmost extremity. But little Importance
is attached in diplomatic circles here to
the British threat. 1t is almost incon-
ceivable that the British premier would
order an act of such violence for which
there is but questionable warrant, and no
precedent in international law. for the
sole benefit OF the unSDeakable Turk and
in the face of certain opposition
at home. The report of q secret under
standing between Greece and Sprvia to
Jointly resist the order to disarm is again
revived, and is strengthened by the &C.
currences of the past few days at both
ends of the peninsula. Despite King Mi
lan's pacific assurances, Servian prepare
tons for renewal of hostilities with
Bulgaria are being pushed forward with
feverish haste. All the reserves and mi
litia, with vast quantities of food, sup
plies and ammunition are being rushed to
the front. The entire Servian army is in
the field on the pretense of Il six weeks
drill. All this is significant in view of
the fact that the truce prescribed by
the demarcation commission will expire
by it's own limitation at midnight on the
28th inst.
LONDON, Feb. 18.-The members of the
Greek legation admit that Mr. Glad
stones refusal to interfere on behalf of
Greece with Turkey was severe disap-
pointment, but they claim that it will
not deter Greece from assuming the
of beginning hostilties.
europe is 10th to NEEDLE with the
Eastern question as long as even nominal
peace exists" said one of these gentle
men to-day, "but it is purely selfish
dread. Nothing in history is more pusil-
luminous than Europe's treatment of
our nation. The provisions of the
treaty of Berlin, by which
Turkey was ordered to turn Thessaly and
Epirus over to US, have simply been de-
liberately ignored. Having guaranteed to
return our property to us, they now make
us fight for it or go without. Very well,
we are prepared And after we have
struck the first blow and war has actually
begun, Europe can not avoid interference.
She will have to support us Or else stul-
tify herself in the eyes of the world and
in history by refusing to let US take what
she gave US at the Berlin Congress. The
spirit of BozZaris is not dead in Greece.
Is the spirit of Byron dead in
Europe? We do not believe the world
will now for the first time frown upon an
attempt to restore Greece's nationality
The very idea has always aroused en- :
thusiasm among all generous people. The
purely national movement. We do not
seek to rob our neighbors, or to extend
our domain. We only ask that the Greeks
may be permitted to dwell together,
govern themselves and work out their
own national destiny. We do not call
Tor help in this matter. We only beg not
to be hampered by hostile interference.
Europe has forced us to fight for our own.
Now, we say, hands off and fair contest.
There are only three millions of US in
Greece as it appears on the map, but
here are six millions of our countrymen
N the provinces wrongfully held by Tur-
Key, and they will spring to arms as soon
IS we offer them the opportunity We are
better sailors and as good fighters as the
Turks, and we are not afraid
20 match ourselves against them.
All that discourages US is the
ear that after we have gained our rights
The same selfish Indifference and cruel in
Justice on the part of the Powers which
has before defeated us will again thwart
our righteous desires. No such fear of
however, shall prevent our
loing our manifest duty as the descend.
ants of the men of ancient Greece