The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-11-26

corrupt politicians on the future Of
the country.
The revolution of September IL,
1843, obliged him to give a constitu-
tion to his people. The politicians
then took their revenge by forcing
him to quit the soil of Greece. His
abdication, however, was largely due
to foreign influence, as Europe never
ceased to consider his reign a danger
to peace in the near east. With
people dreaming of the old glories
of the Byzantine empire and with a
king indorsing the policy of its res
toration. Europe had good reason to
fear for the integrity of the Turkish
empire, on which rests the solution
of the eastern question, so complicat-
ed and SO dangerous at the same
time.
Accession Of King George.
Prince George of Denmark was ell
ected king Of Greece in succession to
Otto. The powers protecting Greece
the kingdom has never ceased to
have protectors sanctioned his
choice. and George became king of
the Hellenes. The great powers to
demonstrate their good will toward
Greece. bestowed on King George the
amount of a loan which the country
owed them. the government of Great
Britain Offering as gift the Ionian
islands. In exchange for these favors
King George. according to the belief
OF large class in Greece, repudiated
any idea of further expansion of his
kingdom at the expense of the Otto
man empire.
King George, well aware of the
fate OF his predecessors, took the
easiest way to success by adopting
the harmless policy. ITO reign, not
to rule For period of forty-six
years in national affairs. He left the
most liberal constitution in the
hands of a young and inexperienced
people as one might leave a razor in
the hands of a baby. The result was
as disastrous. Tho liberal constitu-
ton. instead of giving the country a
good administration. gave it all kinds
Of politicians. The king. instead of
becoming involved in political intrig-
ues, devoted himself to financial ell
terprises, making huge profits III
stocks on the Paris, London and New
York exchanges. His vacation trips
to Aix-les-Bains and Paris fo. long
period of years furnished rich mater
ial to the European satirical press.
King George, however, never cea.ed
to show his eagerness in sup ,:tins
before the courts of Europe tho
claims of his people. He belongs to
the illustrious royal family Of DEN
mark. His sister is queen of Eng
land. Another sister was empress of
Russia. One of his nephews is en-
peror of Russia, another king Of Nor
way, and his brother is king OF Den
mark. The German emperor. who
gave his sister in marriage to the
crown prince of Greece. is also con-
nected with King George. In such
circumstances the king of the Hell
lenes might we'll enjoy for for.y-five
years the confidence of the Greek peo-
pie in matters concerning tho nation
al interests of Greece. So all his va
cations assumed the aspect of M
tional and political missions of the
highest Importance, and every act of
his in the various courts Of Europe
was watched from his kingdom as
bearing on it the realization of many
a national dream.
We're the Greek people wrong in
SO doing? No, but the government
and the politicians were. All of them
were clever and educated persons,
most Of whom had spent years study
ing politics in Europe; all of them
knew what the king was doing,
whether in Paris or Aix-les-Bains.
but they were too much bent on their
personal interests to disillusionize
the people.
The Cretan question arose early in
1866. again in 1865. and again in 1896.
Greece. yielding to the national im-
pulse, took an active part in the re-
volt. occupying the island with it's
army. The Graeco-Turkish war fol-
lowed. Although disastrous for
Greece. this effort brought Crete its
independence. but, on the other hand,
1t established financial commission,
foreign body charged with the SUPER
vision of the country's finances. dan
gerously affected by the s2O,0OO,OOO
indemnity which Greece paid to Tur-
key after the war.
Immediately after the disaster
Greece thought is necessary to reor-
ganize the army and navy. The min
listers introduced many bills intend
ed to reform the existing system.
Some of them were good. but to make
them effective too much money was
needed. Some others we're good, but
effected the political interests of par
ties and organized grafters. The net
result was that twelve years after
the war Greece had accomplished lit
tie that it had intended to.
The Turkish revolution of July,
1905, came unexpectedly. AS uncx
pectedly came the Bulgarian declara-
ton of independence and the annex
alton of the Bosnia and Herzegovina
by Austria in October of the same
year. At the same time Crete, until
then an autonomous state under the
high commissionorship of NJ Alexan-
der Zaimis. a deputy of the Greek
parliament. declared it's union with
Greece. 1t was in the hands Of the
Greek government to accent the dor.