The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-21
GREECE DEFIES
TURKS NCRETE
Kingdom Preparing for War
To Prevent Invasion of
the Island by the
Moslem Hordes
For The Call
By REV. STEPHANoS MAcARONIS
ArchimandriteN of the Orthodox Greek
Church and CheyaIier of the
Order of the Savior
Eo, I'll. en-

Church and ChevaIier of the
Order of the Savior
| n REECE will never yield one step
IL to Turkey in the island of Crete,
which is now free of the donlina-
ton of the Moslem hordes and which
will become part of the kingdom of
Greece. in March, 1910, unless the
of the Ottoman empire. Turkey
will find the Greeks from all
parts of the world united in defense of
their native land. If the Young Turks,
who are now in power. for political
prestige or any other reason attempt
to coerce the Cretans when the crisis
comes there is not the slightest doubt
in my mind that bloody war will en-
sue. Greece is prepared to defend to
the bitter end the rights of her citizens
even to the extent of sending forth her
armies and navy to battle with the al
most countless soldiers of the MussuI-
mans.
At the present time it is very difficult
the strained relations existing between
Greece and Turkey over the Cretan
question. That these relations are
strained almost to the breaking point
no one will deny, but whether an open
rupture or peaceable settlement will
result is entirely predetermined. The
overbearing attitude of the Young
Turks would indicate the former. How
ever, the crisis will be reached In March
of 1910, if not before, because at that
time the powers being willing, the
Cretans will elect their delegates to
the Greek parliament Turkey has al
ready threatened to land soldiers on the
island to prevent the elections, but
whether she will attempt to enforce
this threat by a virtual declaration Of
war remains to be seen.
! Michel de Kis at the present time
is premier of Crete. as the recognized
representative of King George of
| Greece. He co-operates with the. rep
| resentatives of England, Russia, France
and Italy who act as his advisers and
are pledged to uphold his authority. He
is recognized as the rightfuI ruler of
the Cretans, who threw off the yoke
of Turkey at the same time as Bulgaria
declared her independence. This deelar-
alton of independence has received the
| tacit consent of the powers, and the
people of Crete are now preparing to
unite with Greece in March of 1910
Boastful since their overthrow of
the sultan. the Young Turks have bla-
family announced from time to time that
they intended to prevent this union.
and rumors of a sudden descent of Mos
lem forces on the kingdom of Greece
have been rife in Europe for some time
| These rumors have been based on the
| fact that the Young Turks occupy an
insecure position in the empire and be-
lieve that this position would be greatly
strengthened and all elements of the
empire united in thei rsupport if a
sacred wax against Christian nation
We're declared. Up to the present time.
however. no overt act has been com
mitted.
Greece in the meantime has pre-
pared to repel any invasion, and in case
of conflict will force the admiration Of
the world.
| Regarding my own position and
whether 1 am now travelling over the
world for the especial purpose of rails
ing funds because of this particular
crisis, will say that the priests of the
Greek church at all times in addition
to their saceydotal duties teach their
countrymen to love their native land
and inculcate the patriotism for which
| our kingdom is well known
| 1 have been raising funds for the
Greek navy and other defensive forces
| of the kingdom for the last nine years.
l have visited Bulgaria, have travelled
through many cities of south and east
Africa, Madagascar, Portuguese pos
sessions, and other places too numer-
Gus to mention. I finally came to San
Francisco at the direction of the holy
synod a year and d half ago and dur
ing that time have carried on the same
work
AS is known to the world, the Greek,
no matter to what country he migrates.
never forgets his allegiance to his ma
tive land and the patriotism which he
stands ready to prove should she be
attacked He is intensely interested in
her affairs and will always give of his
earnings or wealth for her advance
ment in science or her defense In war.
have already collected large amount
of money for the navy and defense
fund and have forwarded it to the
minister of foreign> affairs. The gener-
osity and patriotism with which it has
been my pleasure to come in contact
can not illustrate better than by the
scene In Lyric hall few nights ago
when more than 500 displayed their
loyalty.
Since the present crisis arose have
pointed out their duty should war come.
and in return they have not only made
generous contributions and pledges of
money and moral support. but hundreds
of the finest sons of Greece stand ready