The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-05-20
Patriotism Of Greek Mi1li0naires.

Greece has been practically bankrupt for years, coin is almost an unknown
quantity within her boundaries and her public debt is enormous Deschamps
the noted economist believes that the poverty of Greece is due chiefly to the in
dolence of her people A Greek is quite willing to speculate but he does not
like the discomfort and hard work attached to production. Hence there is little
economic progress in Greece. Yet there is no country so lavshly endowed by
her wealthy citizens as Greece. If lavish gifts of money could improve the char.
acter OF a nation the dreeks should march at the head of civilization. Tigane
Yergate in the Revue des Revues Paris describes the astounding liberality of
the Greek whom luck has favored in foreign countries He says:
The Greek makes his money abroad, among the barbanans and returns
invariably to his own country to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Just a. the Greek
.milionares spent their fortune in the establishment of their countrv,s indsnen.
'dence, they now continue to look after its comfort and we'll being. Athens alone
has received over *5OOlOW during the last three or four years for public works,
The university, the schools the museums, have received equally large sums No
end OF monuments and public buildings are raised by them. Most of the veal
thy Greeks have made their money in the countries around the Mediterranean
and especially Yin Mahammedan countries
"A typical example of the Greek miionaies isl eorgios Averow Born in the
village of Mezzovo, near Janina, he was the hero Of many adventures. mis- earlier
life being beset by difficulties worthy of the pen of a Homer His luck
changed when he landed in Egypt where he soon became puryeyor of the nrovis
ions to the Khedive Only those who know the corruption of Ismails admins.
uation can imagine how much Averow must have made out of his contract
Then he specialized successfully in real estate extended his trade to Bombay and
London; and almost ruled supreme in Egypt. The wealth he accumulated was
enormous. In spite of the sums he has given to his country, he is still worth
SlOW,OOO. The amount he has expended in Greece can hardly be overrated
He gave literally to the municipality in which he was born. He built schools
churches and theaters for the Greek colony in Alexandria. Athens especialv
has been the recipient of his iberalty Hospitals and schools have been found.
ed there by him. He built and endowed the poytechnical academy, where n.
.gneers mechanics and architects are trained, where painting, etching and
sculpture aet taught and where the museum of the revolution is located The
maneuvering grounds, and a church. The main building is a vritable monu,
.ment built to last His intention is now to found a similar establishment for
the navy. His influence in polticsis great. When Trkupis, as premier could
not place a national loan, Averow himself took it up But his most uopulor act
was the restoration Of Sadon, and the revival of the Olympic games Whom be
was told that the Greek runner had won, he said: Nav nv countrv be aororv
successful in diplomacy and. war For the Crans he subscribed 800 600 His
colossal fortune is to- go to the state upon his demise"
Other Greek minionaires who lavish the wealth they have required abroad nm
on their beloved country are the Rails, a wellknown firm Of sbinow ao,e'o up !
rebuilt the palace Of the archbishop at Athens, and subscribed *' SSn f %h q
national theater; Bernadahs platagtrinis, Papadakis, Dumpas, and Mrs stur
para who endowed protessorshps at the university and founded scholarships 5m
zapIas who founded the palace Of industry: sins, who built the conservatory
Translation made for the Literary Digest '