Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-03-22
Most Eminent Greek in Country
Sent Out by Cora Melas. '
MAKES STATEMENT TO MINISTER
King George Probably Will Have
Consul Reside in Omaha.
ATHENS NEWSPAPER MAN HERE
While Prof. Ion is Compiling Report
for Damages, Journalist VIII
Cover Local situation
for Home Papers.

The government OF Greece is still prob
ing into the situation growing out of the
recent riot upon its subjects at South
Omaha. Minister Cora Melas at Washing
ton has sent a personal representative Of
the kingdom 10 Omaha. This dignitsry Is
Prot. Theodore p. Ion, who holds the chair
OF International law at the University OF
Boston. He Is one OF the most eminent
Greeks In the United states He comes to
gain first-hand knowledge of the situation
involving the affairs of his people and on
the basis OF his findings will suggest some
thing as to claim for damages.
IT now have much knowledge of the
situation" said Prof Ion. but | must
obtain accurate and detailed information" ="
He will spend several days In Omaha
and Lincoln. Asked as to the procedure
for securing restitution for the losses sus-
tanned by his people at South Omaha, Prof
Ion said.
After the exact facts are ascertaIned
ircuding the amount OF damage to the
Greeks who suffered at the hands OF the
mob the Greek minister will take up with
the secretary OF state the law In the matter
as defined in international law and prece-
dents After the general principles are
agreed upon the particular facts OF this
outbreak will be gone into and an agree
ment will be reached as to the amount
OF damages to be claimed Then II is up
to the president to request congress to
appropriate the money TO liquidate the
same.
"A number of precedents exist In the
country which will cover the case The
payment OF the indemnity by this govern
ment following the Malta riots In New
Orleans probably is the one best known TO
the public. This. however. is but one out
of many, as almost every nation Of Europe
has at one time or another had similar
claims. even including England
Prof Ion will consult with a number
OF persons In Omaha and South Omaha
and will then SO to Lincoln TO call on
Governor Shallsnberger to discuss various
phases of the matter.
One of his inquiries was as to whether
or not the men who spoke at the mass
meeting which directly preceded the riot
were arrested or given a trial of any sort
He displayed much interest In the answer
that they have not been and said he could
not understand why some of the men guilty
OF the riot have not been punished.
II was In Constantinople." he said.
''when the Turks massacred 1900 Armeni-
ans and no one was punished, but there
IT was known that the government was In
sympathy with the mob, while here II is
different"
He gave II as his opinion that Greek
consul probably will he appointed for
Omaha and South Omaha.
"a consul does not have 10 be Greek
citizen" he said. Anyone can act in that
capacity and believe that with the num-
ber Of Greeks here such an appointment
should be made
Not only is the kingdom of Greece still
concerned In the local situation, but popu-
lar interest is reflected in the fact that
Athens newspapers. the Daily Alithia and
Weekly Scrip, have sent TO Omaha rep-
resentative IN the person Of Harry Mavri-
kids to gather comprehensive view OF
the case for publication 'at home" Mr..
Mavrikidis. whose arrival was announced
some DAYS ago. is comforting with Prof. Ion.