Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-21
STUDYING AMERICA
King George of Greece Wants
Yankee Hustle
FOR HIS OWN SUBJECTS
DESIRES HIS SUBJECTS IN AMER
ICA TO RETURN.
Solicitude for His Soldiers as Well as
Civilians Makes Him
Popular.
Written for The Star.

Written for The Star.
America has heard very little lately of
George I, king of the Hellenes'-in fact.
since the close of Greece's disastrous war
with Turkey his name has been seen in
print tnfrequently. On the other hand, 1t
appears from a conversation that a promi-
nent Graeco-American had this year with
the king in Athens the latter has been
devoting a good deal of his spare time in
recent years in keeping posted on Ameri-
can affairs and studying American ways.
The king. it seems, has become particu-
larly impressed with that peculiar Ameri-
can characteristic best described by the
none too euphonious word-hustle.
What my country needs now more than
any other one thing" he said warmly in
clear-cut English, lis to become infused
with the spirit of restless activity that
dominates everybody in the new world. no
matter from what European country he
originally halls. l have been particularly
struck with the activities of the Greek
emigrants, and I could wish for nothing
better than that a few thousand of them
would return to their native land and teach
the rest of US how things are done in
America
Then, turning more squarely to his listen
er, he said:
You're just the sort of man I want and
HeeO mere. ny UOH you COIne DdCh neIo
| and live, and help me in my task of trying
to instill the knowledge that the American
way of going at things is the best way?"
The Graeco-American fenced for time;
then, when pinned down by his royal in
terrogator, answered simply:
ri love America and content TO re-
main there"
The king sighed.
"Ah, that is always the answer-always
the answer. 1 seem never to be able to
get teachers for my people-because of
that love for America"
Exceedingly Popular.
For years after he assembled the throne
In fact, until up to the outbreak of the
war with Turkey-King Georges name was
not placed among the so-called demo
cratic rulers of Europe by many Greeks.
In latter years, however, he has become
exceedingly popular with the people gen.
orally, and is everywhere hailed by them
as being extremely democratic. Perhaps
his study of American ways has aided in
securing this united good will. At any
rate, he is now pretty generally given the
credit Of living up to the motto that has
been engraved the royal decorations
these many years: My strength Is the
love of my people.
While this is his official motto, as 1t were
the king has another which he is fond OF
quoting to show his regard for the consu-
tutoEal rights of his subjects. 1t runs
1.-THE king reigns, but does not govern"
| That he also holds fast to this motto is
| likewise pretty generally conceded. but In
times gone by his majesty was often enough
accused of trying to assume power that
would make him as much of an autocrat as
was his late brother-in-law and cousin,
| Alexander II, father of the present car.
Now in their enthusiastic devotion to
| their ruler his subjects are fond Of telling,
among other anecdotes, how the king, ac-
companied only by an orderly. frequently
suddenly appears in the barracks at Athens
md DO IN tact no rn-
| items of the soldiers. He spies a pot of
soup.
Let me test that" he commands, and
not only sips a spoonful or two. but con-
standard some one hears about 1t In short
order
In such fashion he tests all the various
| rations: more. he walks among and talks
| with the soldiers, and ever has ready ear
| for any complaint or petition. Through
| these little unannounced visits of inspec-
| ton the condition of the soldiers has been
greatly improved in many ways, and the
| garrison, to a man, feels personally &C.
quainted with the king and swears by him.
Charity and Religion.
Queen Olga cousin OF the late Car
| Alexander II, has been deeply interested
| in charitable and religious work for years.
| The Greeks have a saying that she lives
| more in the hospitals than she does in the
| royal palace. The king has always taken
q passive interest in his conSortS work, but
| of recent years he has frequently accompa-
MED her on her errands of mercy. and more
| than once has spoken comforting words to
| sufferers in whom the queen was more than
| ordinarily interested.
| ! Unlike the queen, who can seldom find the
| opportunity to leave her beloved charities
| and devotions, the king goes every sum-
| mer for vacation to the watering place of
| Aix-les- Bains He usually arrives there
/ about the middle of July. and during his
| stay Is frequently seen at the race course.
| following the races with the eye of an ex-
pert and lover of highly biooded horse
| flesh. It is not unusual for him to occupy
| the judges stand. the president of the
| course and the king being close friends.
| Aix-les- Bains has learned, through fifteen
or more summers of the kings presence. to
! know him intimately. He in turn is ac-
o,:ainted with every nook and Granny of the
| little, though famed. resort. and 1t is said
| that he is never so well contented as when
! In AK, for then he can move about without
attracting any particular attention.
| Whenever the king leaves Greece for his