New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-18
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SUNDAY EDITION. :
|: APRIL Is, 1897. :
sHY'HHr.
THE ETHNIKE HETAIRIA.
A POWERFUL SECRET SOCIETY WORK.
ING FOR GREEK FREEDOM.
THE STRINGENT RULES FOR ADMssIoN-rfn
SUPREME POWER AND THE SEAL
USED As SIGNATURE.


SUPREME POWER" AND THE SEAL
USED As A SIGNATURE.
The secret Greek organization which is now
astonishing the world by its Daring intervention
In the Graeco-Turkish situation. holding in IL
hands the peace OF Europe established
three years ago. the sequel 10 that other So
cret Greek organization which. under the name
OF the Friendly Hetaria, has prepared and ao-
complished the independence Of the Greek King.
dom II Is difficult 10 state the extent Of the
membership Of the National Hetaria. because
the initiation, well the work ~ It's differs
en-. departments. Is kept in the strictess So
crecy Judging, however from what has been
learned up to now. and from the active members
who guide the movement IT can be safely A.
serted:
First-That the founders OF the Hetairia ara
rich and highly educated Greeks. living In
Greece or in foreign lands who. besides mats-
rial contributions give also their moral innu-
ence 10 the work.
Second-That the founders originally belonsed
20 the Greek provinces held by the Turks. or are
scions oe celebrated families Of free Greece.
Thus, for instance, George Gussio the manager
Of the Anglo-Egyptian Bank. and one OF tho
chiefs OF the Hetairla. who personally attended
TO the equipment Of the revolutionary corps
which entered into Macedonia last Thursday. 10
himself q Macedonian. Michael Mellas Is an
ex- Mayor Of Athens ard president OF the Coun-
ell of the Hetalria. He belongs TO a noble FAM
lily Of the Epirus D. Stefanou. who Is also
member of the Council. is former Minister o.
Foreign Affairs Of Greece.
Third--The bylaws of the Hetaria distinctly
prohibit its Intervention in the interior political
affairs If the kingdom.
Fourth-The object Of the Hetairia Is the lib.
Grafton Of all Greeks still remaining under thu
Turkish misrule.
The Friendly Hotaira. Of which mention ma
been made divided its members into seven de-
grees-Friends the recommended. priests, shep-
herds arch-shepherds deYOtees and the CHIEFS
OF the dev0tces. Wien a member was admitted
10 the Hetairia ne was commanded TO have
ready his arms and fifty cartridges. so as to be
prepared when the orders Of his chiefs should
be issued While advancing 10 the higher de-
grees the member was taught that he must
fight to the death the enemies Of the religion OF
the Greek race and his fatherland. and during
the initiation a sword was intrusted TO the cam
didate with the following admontion from the
chief: Thy country hands thee this sword. 20
thou canst unshcathe it for her sake" The menu
bership certificate which was handed 10 the ad-
vanced members bore the sign OF the cross ana
underneath a reversed crescent.
THE SUPREME POWER"
The same degrees of membership and sirrilar
bylaws evidently have also been adopted By
the National Hetairia OF to-day, which has
signs and passwords for the recognition OF menu
bers holding the same degree, as we'll as for
communication between all degrees. with the ex-
ception of the lowest. who cannot communicate
with or know the highest The National Hetat.
ria has also cipher for correspondence between
its different branches, thus insuring secrecy for
what passes from TO another. Whenever tho
Hetaira deems 1t necessary to publish a docu-
ment such document is signed by the Council.
composed Of persons enjoying the general respect
OF every one for services rendered TO the coun.
try and Of prominent social and financial posi-
ton This Council, however always signs in the
name Of the Supreme Power exactly the same
az in the case of the documents OF the Friendly
Hetairia But who or what this supreme Power
is no one UP to the present time has learned, and
il will probably never be- learned. Ii Is sUrmlsed
from what has been disclosed by people in close
touch with members holding high positions In
the Hetaris that the words supreme Power
do not express one or more known persons nav.
ing a higher power than that OF the Council, but
simply the idea which gave birth 10 the So
cietv-that is that of the fatherland
Most OF the documents Of the Hetairla, instead
of signatures. bear simply the SEAL which Is here