The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-04-22
GREECE AND TURKEY.
Events that Led to the War Now Be-
ing Waged Between Them.

ing Waged Between Them.
The war cloud that has for the past
few weeks hung over Greece and Tur-
key has burst Fighting was going on
wi,hou. any open declaration of war
on the part OF either, but that is no
longer the situation. Turkey has de-
clared war upon Greece and open hos
lillties have been begun IN real earnest.
That our readers may better under
stand the events that have led 10 this
condition Of aff,irs, We publish the
following from the New York Press:
The attempted march Of the Turk
on to Athens, every loot OF which he
would crimson with Christian blood,
# the Greek army does not whip him
at the start, will be watched with IN
tense interest the world over. He Will
move, 1t is true, should he defeat
Prince Constantine's army, only SO
lar as their Mos, Christian MajestIes
Wilhelm of Germany, Franz Joseph OF
Austria, Humbert of Italy, Victoria OF
England and Nicholas OF Russia and
the President Of France will permit;
bu, he will go that far Notwithstanding
the protests Of civilization. What Is
patriotism and right in the cause of
Greece will be made subservient to
the politics of Europe. The hungry
Mussuman may be fed by nations
calling themselves Christians with the
possessions Of nation of inferior num-
bers on the pretense that these things
are necessary for the preservation Of
the balance Of power Of Europe.
The Powers, as these nations are
called, are actively, though not more
openly than necessary, allied to the
interest of Turkey. The preservation
OF the Ottoman empire, they contend,
while an evil, is necessary one If
check is to be kept upon the ambitions
Of the Russians.
Turkey insolently declined to aban-
don to Greece the possessions OF Ger
tain portions Of Macedonia, which
were coded to i, by treaty. For many
years past Greece recognized, as did
all other nations, that it could count
upon no active aid in retaining this
territory from Turkey. A portion OF
it, Mount Olympus included, appealed
TO the patriotism Of the Greek with
peculiar force. National pride was
stirred, and there was formed the Ma
tional League Of Greece, which was
largely composed OF officers Of the reg
| ular army. There was no attempt TO
disguise their purposes. They made
no pre,ense that their object was other
than the insistence, SO far as they could
that their country should have justice.
In Armenia they had some allies.
There is community of interests, SO
Tar as Turkey is concerned, between
Greece. and Armenia. King George
looked approvingly upon the condl-
tons which he could not fail TO see de-
army, but his people were fast becom
ing proficient as soldiers The Ma
tlonaI League saw to it that the peas
anrry were drilled. Europe looked on
with some amusement at first. 1t re-
gafded the movement with little Sc
rousness, but gradually the tone Of
Greece became SO strong and resentful
that The Turk took notice of it.
He did this in ms usual way. He
caused an awful massacre Of Greeks
and Armenlans in COnstantinople,
with no other design than to strike
,-rror into the hearts of the Greek ma
tlonalists. Numerous massacres in
villages followed. Benevolent old
gentlemen in England and elsewhere
expressed horror and resolutions were
passed declaring that the Turk must
stop; but he stopped only when his
lust for blood was satisfied. The Pow
ers lifted their voices, but no, their
guns.
Greece was not ready for war at
this time. The National League had
scarce we'll begun upon its elaborate
plans. 1t was a year or more away
from the conditions which it desired
to create. But the individual Greek
could stand the atrocities no longer.
In Crete some Greek priests melted
the people to rebel, and what at first
only was riot has now developed
into war. Turkey sought to chastse
the rebels, and then Greece, as a ma
ton, in.erfered. King George sent
his fleet down there. The sympathy
Of Chrlstendom was with the Greek,
and the Powers hesta,ed about per
hitting Turkey TO declare war.
They requested the Greeks to get
out Of Crete. The Greeks declined to
go. The Greeks also proceeded to
take every place except the towns pro-
tected by the guns Of the Powers, who
sent their warships and threatened TO
blockade the ports, SO tina, no provis-
ions could reach the Greeks. Then
the Greeks sent an army to the Mace
DOMAIN frontier. Turkey which had
been supplied with arms and ammunl-
ton by Emperor Wilhelm, responded
with another. Two or three clashes
ensued on the frontier. Each side de
MED responsibility for attack. Then
followed the raids Of Greek irregulars,
backed by the National League Some
small Turkish towns and some good
strategic points were captured On
Friday night firing began between reg
ular troops on the frontier. Within
twenty four hours openly declared war
followed