The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-09
GREEK -MILLIONAIRES.
The Few Wealthy Men of That Couns
fry Are Liberal and Patriotic.

New York Commercial Advertiser.
Greece is a poor country, but 1t possesses
a number of very wealthy men WHIT are de-
voting their fortunes to patriotic and phi
lanthropic purposes. In the present war, for
example, they have contributed large sums
which have enabled Greece to mobolize its
troops. The foremost Greek millionaire is
George Averoff, of Alexandria, who is said
to have contributed 8 100000 to the Greek
war fund. He gave 600, 600 drachmas to re-
store the famous Stadion in Athens, where
the Olympian games were held last year.
He was born in MeZzoro, a village near
Janina. In his youth he went to Alexandri4
and won the favor of the Khedive lsmael.
He laid the foundation of his immense
wealth by a number of real estate and 9TH
er speculations. He was enabled thereby to
establish important COMMERCIAL relations
WttbLondon, Bombay ana lndla, ana large
" Through his efforts Alexandria became
the leading commercial center of the ORR
emf. His fortune is estimated at 100, 000, 600
dkachmas. Through this immense wealth he
Mas been enabled to devote large sums for
various noble purposes. He founded Greek
schools in Alexandria and established a
number of charitable and educational insti-
tutions In Athens. He gave large sums for
the marine school where the officers OF the
Greek armies receive their education. No
man of modern times has done so much for
the political and social development of his
country as Averoff. He was an intimate
coupis and when this statesman endeavored
to raise a loan for his country Averoff
guaranteed these sums on his own reSpon-
sibility.
Averoff leads a simple and retired life in
Alexandra. Ills clothing IS the pldlneSt, ana
he has continued the same modest mode of
living shown in the beginning of mis- career.
He did not attend the Olympian games.
However, a number of enthusiastic tele-
grams were sent to him, TO which he re-
piled: 81 am happy at the magnificent sue
cess of the games, and hope that the politi-
cal and military affairs of my country may
reach the same condition He contributed
1900 drachmas to the Cretan fund. The city
of Athens erected a monument in his honor
and last December a silver laurel crown was
presented to him by a deputation.
The majority or the r1cn men or greece
have made their money in foreign countries
and have returned to their fatherland with
great wealth, a large. part of which they
are spending for public purposes All pub
~ institutions hospitals, libraries and uni
yeT>:1es of Greece have been established
by these men. and even the marble side
walks of Athens have been built by their
munificence.
The University of Athens has recently
been especially favored by these philanthro-
pists. Demetrius Benardakis contributed
1000. 600 drachmas, 5000 drachmas. were Civ
en- by Plataghinis and 1000 drachmas We're
received from Papadakis, Dumpas gave So
009 drachmas to pay for the erection of the
outer poTtico of the new university build
ing. Benardakis also contributed 2.000,00
drachmas to the National Museum. and the
widow S%turnara gave 5000 drachmas to the
same institution. A wealthy family named
Tositzas gave to the Polytechnical School
of Athens 1.500, 900 drachmas, and the late
Niennes Baron Simon Sina spent "a vast
sum IN the magnificent Academy building
of Athens. The Rail- family, merchant
princes, who do q large business with India,
England and America, subscribed s25.OW
for the building of a national theater.
A favorite son of the Greek people is An
Dire Sangros, who made his money in Con-
stantinople. He established a peoples the
alter, hospital, church and central prison.
Stefanowitch-Skilizzi gave a Byron group
to the city. and hundreds of others have
done much to make Athens one Of the most
beautiful cities in the old world.
Many of the Turkish cities have large
Grecian populations. and Greek millionaires
are to be found in Constantinop1e. Smyrna.
Salonica, Myrtilene and other cities on the
Mediterranean.