The San Francisco call., 1897-03-09
WILL FIGHT FOR MOTHER
COUNTRY.
They Are Regularly Drilled by
an Ex.Grecian Artillery
Officer.
GREEK RESTAURANTS ARE DE-
SERTED BY THE HELP.
The Young Men Have Ra lied to the
Standard and Are Anxious
to Fight

9eIeI OdTVOOH6S, HeI
/ Demosthenes Capilos. Peter Varellas and
half dozen others are watching the trou-
Bile in Crete with double interest, They,
with fifty companions who have ''seen
SERVICE" are ready at moments notice
to leave for the mother country, and
every one of them is Q trained soldier.
They served their time in the army, and
while nearly every one of them is an
American citizen they still consider them
selves in duty bound to obey the call to
arms issued by the Hellenic Government.
Fifty of them drill every night in a hall
on East street. and the leaders assert that
all and sundry are ready TO pay their own
way to Athens at moments notice and
will not demand one cent from the Gre
clan Government in the way of remunera-
ton.
Demetrlus Zervas who is one of the
leaders of the small band Of fifty, was
sergeant of artillery in the Grecian army
year ago. He fought i'll the last war on
the frontier, and has time and again
crossed swords with the Turks.
NJ. Vamvales, another member of the
company, was a sergeant of infantry, and
he also knows considerable about war in
the Orient. With these two men as drill
masters, the company is making rapid
progress. ana should they sail for Crete it
will be one of the best disciplined bodies
OF men that has left California in years.
Yesterday the restaurants on the steam
ers San Rafael and Sausalito and the
Union Restaurant on East street were de-
serted by the cooks and walters. All the
hands were anxious 10 find out what was
going Oh, and every one OF them is more
than anxious to get chance TO reach
Athens and join in the Fl ht against Tur-
key. Their sudden departure made things
very awkward on the steamers and IN the
restaurants, but the proprietors put up
with the trouble and freely iorgave the
BOYS on account of the national feeling.
1--WE are ell sympathy for the mother
country" said NJ. d. Vamvales yesterday.
Still nearly every one OF US has little
business of his own here, and we will not
make a move until we know that war is
actually inevitable. Then you will find
every one of US ready to sacrifice every
thing in order to 60 to the front.
Cali the Greeks who were born in 1866
and from that up to 1874 are liable for
service IN the army, and every one Of
them will obey the call. Nearly all of us
are American citizens, but when our duty
does not keep us tied to our adopted
country, why then we will 60 back to our
first home and fight for our fathers and
mothers, sisters and brothers and rela-
tives."
Peter Carvoones is really head and front
of the present movement, and he will be
captain of the company that will leave
San Francisco for New York in few days
if called upon. 1--WE don't want any
money from the Greek Consul" said he
Yesterday. Every one OF US will pay his
own way, and those who have no money
will work their passage. Our first duty Is
- n y,
ing that will bring our adopted country
into disrepute. Should Uncle Sam get into
trouble with foreign power we would
stay at home and fight for Uncle Sam,
even il his arms were turned against
Greece But now, when all Europe is
trying to coerce King George and our
relatives are in danger and our Govern
ment does not require our assistance,
then, think. it is time for US 10 get IN
and show our colors
I'VE are fifty strong, and the force can
be increased to hundred at any time.
The leaders are all Spartans, and de-
scendants Of the 300 who, under the lead
ership OF Leonidas, defeated the Persian
hosts at tie pass of Tnermopyl@. Every
one of our little band is ready to fight al
moments notice.. and We will start for
New York the moment war is declared.
We have all quit work, and are now ready
for the call to arms
Constantine Capilos IS acting the part
of the heavy father to all 1.-The boys"
who are so anxious to fight the Turk.
There are about thirty-fve of them in
California who are liable to be called to
arms" said he, when talking about the
matter. "They are from q TO 81 years Of
age, and would come under what you
would call the first draft. They would not
go alone, however, as every Greek in the
community that can carry a musket is
tt,ur, GrA txzN d4
tense of the old flag.
Il am more than surprised with the
sentiment among my American friends.
Every one OF them is in sympathy with
Greece, and l honestly think that if a
band of Greeks started from here to-mor-
row there would be twice as many Ameri-
cans ready TO cast in their lot in the ven-
ture."
All the young Spartans 60 to Capilos for
advice, and not one of them will make a
move unless he says so. In the mean
time, however. nearly every Greek restau-
rant and business house in the City is tied
up. as tho employees are on The warpatn,
and they have packed their yalises and
are ready at moments notice to start for
Athens.
The usual drill took place last night,
and tho full force OF the company was
present. Sergeant Zervas put the men
through the usual exercises and in their
Greek uniforms they made very pretty
picture. Il have only been about year
in California, but just the same consider
this my home" said he. The United
States has no use for our arms; so mother
country calls US and we will go [ was
sergeant of artillery on the frontier under
General p. Colokotronis, who is now the
head OF the artillery division of the army,
and under HIM / first smelt powder He
is fighter and no mistake, and / am Just
och n uat hack n fiohf II
ership again"
Peier Varellas has been away from
Sparta little over six years. II love
America" said he yesterday, land my
first duty is to my adopted country. But
then America does not want my assist
ance and my father, mother. sisters and
brothers are in Greece. and they do want
my help. We are organized and ready to
leave at a moments notice and every one
of our little band of fifty will pay his own
way"
Every night the Greeks drill in their
.,rxll L