The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1896-09-11

/ ful place. Here olive, cypress, orange
lemon and fig trees attain perfection
Our next port, where we landed was
4 Patras, u city of about 50, 900 inhabit
\ ants. AS it was Sunday I went to the
Greek church. A short distance from
here is Mesolongian where, in 1924
Lord Byron died. His body was car
sried to England but his heart was
buried on the spot where he struggled
to help procure the independence OF
Greece. A piece Of rising land alone
(caused by human skeletons) indicates
the place where the Turks slaughtered
500 christians including women and
children. From Patras we came by
rail to Athens along the gulf Of Cor
NTH and across the canal the diggi0g
OF which was the dream Of ''bloody
Nero" of Roman history. II is i'm
possible for me to adequately describe
the beautiful vineyards and olive gar
dens along the gulf, SO shall spare
my space for description of Athens
and its surroundings. On the train,
between Patras and Athens, I became
acquainted with Rev. DR.. Sweeney, u
professor 10 Roman Catholic college
III Maryland, o. S. A. AS he is visit
Ing Athens for the same purpose as
myself we staying at the same hotel
aud travelling amid the ruins of CEN
turtles together. Yesterday we visit
ed the Acropolis of the Parthenon,
the theatre Of Bacchus, the temple OF
Jupiter and many other ruins. Here
amid the ruins of upward $500 years
was opportunity for reflection. 1
thought Of the words Of Emerson
where he says that the difference be-
tween column OF marble and a col
umn OF ice is that the one melts In a
few hours and the other crumbles in
few thousand years. Here lie the
ruins Of massive marble columns and
the marvel is how those immense
blocks were elevated scores of feet. A
short time ago one block seemed as
though it would fall and crush several
of the few pillars that remain stand.
Ing. To remove that one block SPAN
ming the top of two immense columns
cost 1900 francs. Yet, notwith.
standing the immense proportions of
the Parhenon, Its massive pillars and
many temples. Pericles had the whole
completed in five years. Nothing to
equal this can he found in all history.
But few hundred yards from the
Acropolis is the prison in which So.-
rates died. while right at the foot Of
the hill is the place where Paul stood
and declared that in all things the
Athenians were somewhat religious
Modern Athens has population of
about 10000 IL is ain industrious
ti0urlshtng city. Occasionally one
meets Greek dressed 10 the costume
OF the long ago. Beggars are rarely
ever met and as living Is reasonably
cheap, the city With it's educational
advantages is an inviting spot for
tourists: ofcourse at present one has
to visit the city only in the morning
and evening, as for several hours in the
middle of the day TIE heat Is unbear
able. l have hurriedly referred "a
I Athens In order that I NAV briefly
outline conditions here at present
The trouble 10 Crete is becoming more
serious, Over /, 900 women and child
rem have been brought from Crete Il
Athens and Prieans. Their tale al
misery and suffering is most pitifnl
I Many are starving, having but leaves
grass and such like to exist upon. II
me IT is given as an actual fact thai
il some parts Crete you can trace tn,
women end children over the rough
mountains and hills by the blo,t
marks left by their bleeding feet a,
they flee from the accursed Turk
The powers Of Europe Great Britai,
among the fnremost) have ACTUALLY
forbidden Greece to send them helm
A. present several war ships are o,
guard 20 that Greece cannot send aid
Last night about fifteen officers escal
~ from Athens and are OF for Cret,
like brave men to help their strlQxl
sjug fellows. As followsis the cause, d
M Trouble. It Is reliable as I got L
fIon ~ Greek gentleman who under
! 49, y ~ aituation: For five hun
dred yssfS - Turk has ruled Crete
The psopls ~ lived in a ccnditio,
q sblect syituds They are Christ