The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-01
The Struggle of Greece.

Greece's struggle for independence has
gone on for q century. and the advance
made has not been marked. The country
has had the sympathy OF powerful phil
Hellenic party IN England, Germany. Rus
STA and America, but the ''unspeakable
Turk" has managed to prevent much pro.
gress toward retirement. Greece has been
unfortunate In her rulers. They have al
ways been foreigners, and hence the fall
uras can not al be charged to the Greeks
In 1854 when there was a revolt and a
chance for achieving something. King Ohio
deserted his capital and fed to Bavaria
Then the great bulk OF the Greeks yearned
for constitutional monarchy, and hoping
TO obtain il through the influence of Eng
land, they chose Prince Alfred king, he re-
ceiying Z5001S votes out Of total cast -
2z1. 3O2 But the protectorafe powers, Eng
land, France and Russia, had bound them
selves that no one attached to their ruling
families should be king. England was then
appealed to and asked TO have sovereign
She selected several princes. but they all
declined, and finally Prince William OF
Schleswig- Holstein. son of the king Of Den
mark and brother TO the Princess Of Wales
was prevailed upon to accept the crown
He became King George /.
He had to educate himself IN Greek
craftsmanship, and then subject every
measure to the protecting powers. Although
apparently sincere ne seemed to be rather
a puppet. The treaty of Berlin blasted
the hopes of the Greeks for time, but
they were placated in 1881 by the cession of
Thessaly. Then there came a revolt in
favor Of attacking Epirts. but a blockade
Of the Greek ports brought the people to
terms In 1883 the duke of Sparta, heir TO
the throne, married Princess Sophie OF Prus
STA, sister to the Kaiser, and il was hoped
this alliance would be beneficial. but il has
rot proved potent. The present monarch
is not only foreigner, but he does not be-
long to the Greek church, one OF the con-
ditions on which he accepted the crown
being that he should remain a Lutheran.
The present struggle directed by foreign
sovereign. influenced by the ministers of the
protecting powers, can not be said 10 repre-
sent the majesty of the Greek nation. en-
trammeled by the powers and with ample
E'eans the Helenes could have gwen q bet
ter account Of themselves
General Smolentz's brillian victory over
the Turks at Reveni on the 18th inst, has
brought him into prominence. On that oc.
casion he just missed capturing the Turk
ish leader. Edhem Pasha. in his flight to
being senior Of that rank he took command
of the Greek troops and led them to VIC
tory. Next day he was gazetted brigadier
general. Smolentz was formerly minister
of war and has been foremost in the agita-
ton against Turkish m;srule. General Smo-
lentz is a native Greek, but as his name
implies, he has strain of Polish blood.
He Is As years old. and was educated In the
military schools of Europe. He afterward
studied international law, and then entered
the Greek army. He Is an expert artillerist,
and has made a close study of modern ord
nance. In the army he rose rapidly to the
rank of colonel. and observing his capacity
Premier Delyannis gave MIN portfolio in
his cabinet, which he gave up to take the
field.