Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-31
sUNpAY...,......JANUARY 81, 1886,
Russia and Greece.

King of Greece is likely to abdicate and
return to Copenhagen. If we mistake
no. this is not the first time that we
have received such a report, and it
would not surprise the world II
it proved to be true. No hing
is less q King than is GEORGE i.
Of Greece, and in the nature of things
his lot cannot be q very happy one,
especially when any big game
is in progress on the European
chess board. However, be the
report of his contemplated abdi-
cation true or false, the reasons as
signed for it are significant. 1t is said
that he is tired Of the politics OF the
Athenians, and especially of their pre-
sent bellicose attitude respecting the
Bulgarian question" This means that
the submission Of Greece to the de-
mands of the Powers is only temporary,
and that renewal of her own demands
for the restoration Of Epirus and Thes-
saly. which she claims were wrongfully
wrested from her, is only question oil
time. But the Greek "agitation " COM
prehends more than an effort to pave the
way for regaining certain territorial
rights. For years the hand of Russia
has been as clearly visible in Greek
agitation as it has been in the various
disturbances that have taken place in
the Balkans. While we cannot fail to
admit that there is much Of genuine
patriotism in Greece. it is certain that
that patriotism has been in great degree
fcstered by Russian emissaries. The
"present bellicose attitude " of the
Athenians, therefore, is, in a sense, only
another chapter in the history of Rus
sian design upon Turkey. Between
Russia and Greece there is the strongest
of ties-the religious tie. Again, Rus
sia's ambition to drive the Turk out of
Europe and get possession of Con-
stantinople is equalled only by
the hatred the Greek bears the Turk.
The massacre Of Scio and other
Turkish atrocities led to blood-feud
between the Greeks and the Turks that
will last as long as the two nations
have existence. An extension of
Greek territory whereby Greece would
get possession Of several valuable ports
would enable her to increase greatly
the effectiveness and size Of her navy,
enlarge her commercial interests, and
render her a more important fac
tor in the final struggle for the
overthrow Of the Turk. From this
Russia's interest in fomenting a bel
licose spirit in Greece can be readily
understood. That Russia, in the event
Of a final struggle to crush the Turk,
could depend upon the active assist
ance of Greece, provided Greece were
in condition to thus assist her, is made
manifest not only by the ties that bind
the two nations together, but by the
attitude of Greece during the Cri-
mean war. Although the French, Eng
lish, and Russian squadrons combined
at the battle Of Navarino and annihi-
lated the Turco-E gyptian fleet, and, it
may be said, avenged the wrongs of
/. Greece, when the Crimean war broke
cut Greece took decided stand in
favor of Russia. But for the threats
Of England and France-indeed but
for the guns Of the English and
French fleets-she would, in all proba-
bility, have given Russia armed help.
so strong was the friendship for Russia
among the people that although the
Greek Government protested its neu-
trslity, French and English naval sur
VIGILANCE Of Pirgus was not abandoned
until 1857.