The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-08
Man Who Planned Balkan Wa~

an army and a navy which lacked troops and sailors, guns, ammunition, training, supplies and the esprit de corps that is all important in actual warfare-Vene- zelos spent sums of money such as never had been expended before his coming. He invited French officers to reform the army and English officers to remake the navy and what is perhaps more impor- tant still, gave these foreign officers his unwavering support through thick and thin. But this little man, with his large mental horizon and big ideals, saw the coming of the day of reckoning, and he believed that no expenditure of money no skimping of other departments of the public service to finance the army and navy, no sacrifice of self-of health and mind and personal ambiton-was too great a price to pay for the ultimate victory.
 One has but to mention Venezelos' name in any city. in Greece to gain in- disputable evidences of the universal af- lection in which he is held. Six months ago there was a demonstration in his honor that could not possibly have been given to any other man in the country. In March there was a rumor about in Athens that the beloved premier had been attacked and wounded. while at- tending the army maneuyers at Trach- ones. The rumor produced an effect ups
 
 produced upon the people of the United States by the shooting of Theodore Roosevelt. Men and women ran through the streets shouting like wild people. Shops were closed temporarily and it seemed as if every inhabitant of the city made his way to the prime minister's house The streets leading to it were denseiy packed with crying, yelling, gesticulating mob, waiting the return of their leader. Eventually he came to deny the truth of the story and the happy Grecans dispersed and gave them selves up to a night of wild rejoicing
 In appearance Venezelos gives little evidence of the iron will and strong pur- pose that has carried him so high. He is short anad slightly made and his hair is turning gray. He wears a full mustacA and a closely cropped, pointed beard which do not. however, hide the wide expanse of white teeth that gleam out of his smile.
 At first intercourse he gives the im- pression of being mild. benevolent, kind-hearted little man who would be easily fooled or buffed by the many ap- parently stronger men about him. No impression could be wider the mark. AL though Venezelos has a reputation for prudence, moderation and caution and although he is universally beloved by those who are in daily touch with him because of his consideration and cour- tesy, no one who attempts to take ad- vantage of these virtues is long left in -ht of the mans iron hand. For years his wise handling of the Cretan question
 once the envy and the ad- r' 'irpto1 of foreign diplomats and the character of the man was perhaps best summed up by his old chief and col league, pr, Sphakianaki, when he re- gently said:
 
 M. Nenezelos will settle the Cretan question. but he will settle it in his own way; by kindness and concession if he- can. by force and firmness if he must"
 And it is significant that, as is now an open secret, this gifted statesman had obtained a promise from the protecting powers for the annexation of Crete to Greece. subject to a few formal condi- tions for the saving of the now sadly maued face of the Turks; and that this promise would have been fulfilled shortly even if there had been no Balkan. war