The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-07
All Athens Turns Out to Join
in Celebrating
The Anniversary Of the Inde-
pendence Of Greece.
LOUD CRIES OF WAR.
The POpuIace CIamOrsThrOugh-
out the Day
For an Opportunity to Fight
Greece's Ancient Enemy.

Athens, April THE scenes through
out the celebration of independence day
IN Athens, although very brilliant, were
lacking in the usual imposing military
display on account of the large num-
Der Of troops sent to the frontier. The
usual customs were followed. There was
a salute of q guns in the morning and
a free feast of roast lamb, the national
dish, was given to the poor.
Throughout the day crowds of people
paraded the streets cheering for the
king and for war with Turkey.
The entire city was decorated with
flags, but here also there was a differ
B. ence from previous years, because not
a single foreign flag, except those over
the foreign legations was flying. The
celebration commenced with the te
deum at the cathedral. The route to
the palace was lined with, troops and
the streets were densely crowded. En-
route, the horses of the ca rrtage Occu-
pied by the Crown Princess were alarm
ed, bolted and the vehiLIv overturned
A scene of tremendous excitement fol-
lowed. The people ruSheH 20 the spot
from all sides and raised the carriage.
The Princess, who was not nurt, soon
ceeded to the cathedral.
The thanksgiving service was attend
ed by all the members of the diplomat
&c corps. Contrary 10 custom, the mem
bers of the diplomatic corps were not
accom- panied by their wives or daugh-
tiers at tQe ceremonies.
There were no manifestations on the
part OF the. crowd when the foreign rep
resentauves passed. but when the cort-
eye reached the cathedral, there were
terrific stpOurS of long live war" long
live Crete and '1ong live the king"
There was another popular demon
stration in front of the university. A
large number of Greek flags were dis
played and wreaths deposited on the
heroes
dence.
Patriotic speeches were made, the
Warlike sentiments were loudly ap-
plauded and the speakers received ova-
tons.
All the legations, excepting those of
Turkey, Germany and Austria, were
decorated with flags, and on the French
and Russian legation the Greek flag
hOated side by side with the national
flag Of France and Russia.
During the afternoon a mass meeting
was held to protest against the action
of the powers and to indorse the steps
taken by the Greek government. Later
a delegation from this meeting, ac-
companied by a crowd of thousands,
presented a copy Of the resolutions to
the king at the palace, crying Long
live war" In the evening everyone in
the city paraded and the scene was one
of extraordinary animation.
A vast cOncourse of people still re-
NAMED in front of the royal palace,
calling upon King George to show him
self. Much alarm was caused by the
firing OF several shots IN the very CEN
ter of the crowd. Immediately after
this a Gordon of troops was drawn
around the palace.
Thousands listened to one of the most
popular and effective Greek orators,
who spoke in Constitution Square, in
favor of war. There was great excite
ment over the news that blockade of
the Piraeus is imminent, but there were
no disturbances. In the crowd were
thousands of women and children.