The sun., 1906-12-22
GREECE SOON TO ANNEX CRETE
Must RUILD Up 4 RNY TO BE-
COVE 4 FACTOR IN THE EAST.
Has Backing or One Great Sovereign and
Good VIII OF the Powers I'm Desire TO
Take over Big NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Is
Misunderstanding Bands Defended.
Special C1oie Despatch 10 THE SUN.

Special Cable Despatch 10 THE SUN.
ATHENS. Dec. 2l.--There was an import
ant discussion Of the foreign policy OF Greece
at last nights session of the Chamber OF
Deputies. The Premier, VI. Theotokis, said
that. as the result of steps taken by King
George on the initiative Of the powerful
sovereign of a great nation and with the
good will OF the four protecting Powers. the
Cretan question had reached a solu ton that
must be regarded as a great step toward the
union of the island With Greece. The active
policy OF NJ. Zains, the new High Commits
sioner, which had received the approval
of the Greek Government, gave reason TO
hope that the desired solution was not far
of. They would soon be able 20 greet the
representative of Crete in that Chamber.
With regard to the conflict between Greece
and Rumania NJ. Theotokis said the Greek
Government had taken no step and had made
no advances toward an understanding
with Rumania, The Government could
not do 30 because the conflict had not been
provoked by Greece, which would never
take the first step toward a reconciliation.
Rumania demanded that Greece should
intervene in matters for which she was not
responsible, as they had occurred in foreign
territory under the jurisdiction of an ecu
menical patriarchate which was completely
autonomous. Such demands we're mere
pretexts TO justify an anti-Hellenic policy.
Referring TO the question of armed bands
in Macedonia, NJ. Theotokis declared that
the enemies Of Hellenism had succeeded in
persuading the public opinion of Europe,
and even some European governments, that
the abnormal situation in Macedonia was
due to the action of Macedonian
bands and had also made them forget the
atrocities which the Bulgarians had COM
mitted against the Greeks who had con-
tented themselves with asking the protec-
ton of the Powers and the right to live in
peace.
There was then no talk Of Greek bands,
and as no resistance was offered the belief
grew that Macedonia was Bulgarian and
inhabited solely by Bulgarians. When
at last the Greeks arose and tried to defend
themselves il was seen how great the force
and vitality OF Hellenism in Mace1onia was
and that the majority Of the inhabitants
were Greeks Whenever tho Greek Gov
ernment asked for the cooperation and
support Of the Powers, no matter what the
question at issue was, the Government was
met with the argument that Greece was
responsible for the atrocities in Macedonia
because, as was alleged, the Greek Govern
ment aided the Greek bands.
In the face of this situation the Govern
ment thought il ought 10 observe a sincere
and STRAIGHTFORWARD policy toward the
Powers. 1t declared that the Hellenic
Government could not Use force to prevent
succor being given to the Macedonian
Greeks in their defensive campaign, since
Turkey, with an army twenty-five times as
strong az the army OF Greece, was unable
TO guard the frontier. The Government
could however, use its authority
to moderate the activity of the Greek
bands, on the condition that the slackening
of their defepce should not be followed by
increased activity on the part Of the enemies
Of Hellenism.
As proof of the sincerity Of the
Government il might be mentioned that
il had communicated TO the Powers re-
ports received from Macedonia which
proved that its fears were we'll founded,
since a slackening OF the activity OF the
Greek bands was followed by a recrudes-
cence OF that Of the anti Hellenic bands
The Government then declared to the
Powers that the situation was becoming
intoerabe and that il would take measures
to compel others to respect its wishes, as
we'll az the Greeks. II not the Greek Gov
ernment could not be responsible for the
consequences and would be obliged to de-
fend a race that was resolved to live and
not to bend under the ferocity Of its enc
mics.
It was the duty of Greece, NJ. Theot okis
declared, to accelerate her military prepara-
tions. Without an army she could not be
considered a factor in the Fast or hone for