New-York tribune., 1891-12-29
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A GREEK HERO.

Translated from he Greek with Introduction and
eSs BY M Greek Envoy 30 the Court Of
St. Jsmes's- Illustrated syo PIP. NV 3l''
Macmillan d Co.
Theodore Kolokotrones was Greek ratiio; soldier
who after long career Of adventure as Klepht
fought all through the Greek OF independence. and
lived 10 his country freed from the Turkish YOKE
lie was n, lettered man. but emphatcally man oil
action The autobiography here translated into an
English so faithful TO the original that il has frequently
quite a Homeric flavor was dicta'ed by the oiu
veteran not long before his death 1t would have
been much more interesting but for the sclfefacemen
which Is its leading characteristic. The Old mar
never mentions himself when II Is necessary 10
relate some action and though aeader and general
bis personality enters largely into the story he never
gives his thoughts passing events or MS views OIL Ills
strange experiences tu simply says did Soandso,'
and there an end But as a chronicle OF stirring
events OF picturesque and romantic struggle for
liberty and ms a key the Greek character ut the
beginning Of the century, the autobiography Is lnval
uable, and the preface and introduction throw so
much light upon Kolokorones himself that the reader
has no difficulty in understanding him. He was
sincere and unsclfsh patriot, absolutely free from
self seeking aways subOrdinatng his own Interests
TO those OF his country, and though quick of temper
and obstnately independent, so that She was often
difficult TO deal with, capable OF putting himself Ill
the background and accepting humiliation from
Interiors rather than endanger the success OF the
struggle in which his whole soul was absorbed
In order to understand this story preliminary ex-
PLANTATION of the Klcphs is required, and the trans
lator has performed this service clearly and we'll
The Klephts were Greek mountalneers who for 200
years had maintained unceasipg warfare Of an in
regular character with the Turks TO whom they refused
subbornly 10 make submission, and who vainly tired
all means to subdue them. But tley could sometimes
be neutralzed and the Porte effected this by giving
them commands in the plains. They were made in
spectors of roads and kept peace and order in their
districts When so employed they ceased TO be called
Kephts and became Armatolos. But the men them
selves remained the same ant Klepht and Armatolis
were exchangeable terms Thus the Klepht in Turk
,h nay was an Armaolis but if the Turks began their
old tricks of oppression again the Armatolos
never hesitated throw mp their Offices and retiring
into their mountain fastnesSes became Klepts again
and waged war more upon their hereditary foes
The father of KOOkotrones had been Armaolis and
became Kcrht: KOlOko:rOnes himself went through
the same experience and his father several OF his
brothers and over twenty Of his other relations were
killed by the Turhs-often with horrible attendant
barhariGes-it natural that the thirst for ven
geance should be strong in him.
His career from his fifteenth year onward, was con-
slant succession OF perlos adventures in one
OF which he put his life at stake. His immense energy
daring and warlike proves soon made his rame a
terror to the Ottomans, and price was on ms heaa
during the greater part OF his early manhood But he
had the craft Of the fox with the courage of the lion.
and no atterpt to betray entrap him succeeded
More than once he and two thr-e companions were
hunted for weeks and months by large bodies of the
enemy expCaed every hou: to tTeachery. but he was
never taken Escaping from tie tolls, he would
muster new band in few days and make sudden
descent upon his late pursuers. carrying death and
havoc into their ranks. All this part OF his career Is
full OF interest and excitement, but ii is when the
rising for independence took place that events
begin TO make il clear why all former attempts
Of the kind had failed. and what were the
,hief difficulties in the way Of Greek freedom In
trtr Greece had continued suffer oppression despite
the bravery and spirit Of people because there was
no capacity In them for anything like persistent Of
cnnization or unity Of action. Kolokotroncs himself
stands out during this period foremost among the
small band Of president and thoroughly devoted lead
ers. TIE first successes Of the war brought to the
front class Of political adventuIers who assumed the
functions OF administration and who were distinguished
chiefly for incapacty, greed and indifference to the
needs and interests of the nation These men inter
fered at every turn with the military leaders. and often
narrowly missed running the whole movement But
difficulties great greater arose from the ma
tonal character.
The Greeks had patience or tolerance IL n
Government made mistake cry for Its overthrow
arose directly; and II this not responded to.
sassination too frequently resorted to- In the
field the situation discouraging. NO general
could count upon the support OF his for two DAYS
together slight dearth of provisions. a
by the complete dispersal Of the troops, who thought
little Of disbanding almost in the face Of the enemy
1t is true that they came together again quickly
they had deserted their standards. but it is per
fecly clear that with mutable fighting element
the best general in the world could have made no
far-roachng plans carried ont any consecutive op-
eratons In fact the best that could be done was 10
march about and fight The enemy in baphazaid.
scramblng way wherever he encountered; and it
by means always practicable to do even 50
much. KookOtrOnes handled his country men with
remarkable tact and skill but when he sent body of
troops there with orders do certain things.
he was never sap that he would hear any more of
them Again. there was nothing in the shape of sub
ordination among the officers. Every body did as he
pleased about carrying out orders ard nobody Wa, or
apparently could be- punished for disObedence Things
grew worse the went on. Individual iealouses
played great part in military and civil affairs.
Groups were formed whose purpose was 10 over hrow
chief leader matter at what risk or loss to
the country. national spirit sadly wanting.
1t If nation OF Dugeld Dalgcttys. every man
lighting for his own hand. had taken the field
Next appeared a dangerous tendency on the part Of
whole communities to submit TO the Turks when The
approach of the latter put their lives and property in
peril. 1t became necessary 10 threaten these weak
brethren, and TO make submission too dangerous to be
INDUCED in SO the struggle dragged along for years
at fearful cost the haaSscd country in blood and
treasure Kolokorones did his best to reconcile the
quarreng factions, TO make the various administra
tlons do their duty and TO meet and beat on the at
tacks of the Turks His activity and his patience
equally wonderful and at last he had the satisfaction
Of seeing Greece Independent and ruled by const
tutOnal king lie had deserved much Of his country.
and his first reward TO be arrested by the new
Government and thrown into prison upon false charges
Of treason. lie was. indeed, not kept very long
prisoner but the experience must have been dlscour
aging TO that undauned spirit. The Greek
people. however, had always loved and admired him.
and they displayed Joy and enthusiasm his re
lease. which went far TO console him. Temperate. |