Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-24
GREEK ASPIRATIONS.
Another of 'WOOdward's'' Letters from
Asia Minor.

the world; and she cannot allow any 9TH
or Alexander TO acquire even so limited a
territory as Eastern Roumelia. just at
present her stentorian tones rise high
above the din of the Balkan melee and
are the most threatening indications OF
the case.
The TACT is, Greece was badly duped.
In Ger incendiary way she took the hrst
news OF the instruction IN Eastern kOu-
melia to heart, and the whole nation was
aroused almost IN a moment from the pro-
found quiet which promised 10 give rest
TO the troubles OF southeastern Europe Tor
a long season. She wasimpressed, lntoA-
icated, with the idea that now was hel
chance or never. In her agitation sue fell
into the erroneous notion that Russia ana
perhaps other great powers, we're AT the
bottom of the rising IN eastern houuella.
She imagined the lOng-eXpected time mad
come when the Turks were 10 De OrlFen
from Europe and ner western possessions
divided. She sprang up hall-oazeO anu
thoroughly provoked at being thus caught
naming. she called out her reserves, mo
biliZed ner army and pressed forward TO
the Macedonian frontier. Her leaders
seem to have lost their heads with an In
fatuation worthy OF Oaly her lowest DEM
agogues, Such was their lmpetuoslty
that tue Greek army was on the point Of
became aware OF the real state OF things
i'll eastern Roumelia. The counsel OF
cooler heads came iD Just IN time 10 keep
her forces IRON committing an ert act
that would inevitably nave brought on
war. As 1t was, the Turks. instead of
massing their troops on the Roumelian
frontier. sent by lar the larger part OF the
regular army and the recruits to Macedo-
mia and along the Greek frontier. AT an
a a n
General in command of THESE forces re-
eeived orders TO attack Greece on tue first
act OF aggression without awaiting orders
from COnstantinOple.
In thus hastily and recklessly commit
ting herself Greece threw herself open
10 all the disagreeable results sure To
come if she was mistaken IN her notion OF
the Bulgarian union. as the event shows
she was. Under the leadership of her
Premier. M. Delyannis, who had thus de-
ceiYed himself aud MS followers, the 1Te
has been gradually blown into a great
cOnflagration. When the real state OF af-
fairs in eastern ROumelia became obvious
TO Europe and 1t was seen That the rising
meant, not the humiliation of Turkey in
Europe, but simply the increased posses
siOns and power OF one oil the minor states
Of the Balkan peninsula, the enthusiasm
OF Greece over the expected increase OF
her territory was suddenly turned intO
raging evaporation at the impudence Of
her old rival Bulgaria, and at the utter
demolition of any just aud solid basis for
her Warlike appearance. She had Oetray-
ed her real mentions to Turkey as clear
Iy as If she had plunged into war. She
was entirely without hacking. Her re-
sources We're altogether inadequate tor
struggle with Turkey slngle-haDded. She
had reached a position where only two
courses could vindicate her honor; either
she mad to back squarely down or justify
her claims by force of arms.
In the meantime came the Servian war
and the attempt to punish Bulgaria for
putting her finger into the pie without
asking leave. Greek sympathies were for
the moment most heartily In favor OF Ser
via. Tue complete victory of Prince Al
exander has Jailed to give Greece a warn
ing. Under the management OF Nj. DEFY
annis the nation has been aroused too
profoundly. Mass meetings are being
held all over Greece. The urgent appeal
of the great powers has been ignored, and
with mock heroic attitude Greece pro-
poses TO stand alone. Military prepara-
tons go forward and the navy is
being thoroughly equipped and en-
Iarged.
In all this is the greatest menace against
the very life of Greece herself. For the
European powers will not allow the am-
bition of this one petty state to embrOil
southeastern Europe in another war. The
chief danger is that Greece will be lnvOlV-
ed in a bloody TevOlu ion. M. Dely an
mis- has promised great things and now
finds it utterly impossible to fulfill his
promises. The excited state of public
opinion is almost entirely due to his rec
less policy. The position of the King Of
Greece is precarOus. He is not RESPONSE
BILE for the acts OF his minister, and now
that NJ. Dely annis is allowing the dema-
gOgues to rouse the most ignorant classes
into frenzy, the throne itself is in dam
ger. There Is the greatest cause for un-
easiness as to the political ending OF the
situation. The chief fear is that King
George may be made the scape-gOat.
There 10 some hope, however, that NJ.
DEFY annis may resign and Nj. TricoupiO
may be induced 10 take the office, who,
though pledged TO action, could more ash
ly change the present policy than the
pres mt Premier.
In such crisis as this, Greece shows
how seriously she is handicapped by the
TACT that she has only one representative |
assembly. This was the weak point in
the constitution adopted in 1864. Thisleg-
islative assembly, called the BOule, con-
trolls the fortunes OF Greece. Having no
Senate or House OF Lords to balance it's |
action, 1t is type OF the tickle people it
represents. Out of population Of 2O00,- |
wv, lneIt are DDu,UUU VOTERS. Inc Qepu-
ties are elected for four years. In 1884
they numbered 245, including the mem
bers from the annexed territories of Epi-
rus and Thessaly. Since tue accession OF
Hing George this assembly has been
stormy and infammable. The mlnisteri-
al changes have been exceedingly fire.
quent. The average duration OF minis
ters has been less than a year. There was
originally council of state which put a
curb on the action Of the chamber OF dep
ut.es. Since that was abolished the will
OF this body has been law.
mis- IS tne assembly that now controls
the iuture OF Greece. The Premier has
SHOWN himself incapable Of quelling the
Keeling he has aroused and iostered. The !
great fleet has been sent out under sealed !
orders, quite probable 10 escape a block |
ade by an International armada, the Pi- |
reus. The notion OF issuing letters of
marque 10 privatsers has been seriously |
considered, Notwithstanding the denial Of
such an intention. In the meantime the |
English feet has received orders 10 LOOK |
after the man9uyerinps Of tue Greek fleet |
ana an imperial irOuclad OF Germany has |
Oeen ordered TO the Pir9us. IL does not |
seem probable tina Greece can make /
mucn Roadway with such odds against /
uer IN so poor a cause. M. Delyannis an |
grlly protests that measures OF repression |
may be the right OF the strongest /
out TO insult graiuitously nation Sec
ohd 10 more Ia traditional bravery and /