Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1912-01-12

Greek figures on top of the front wall.
it is the dream Of even the bootblacks
who swarm the streets in such num-
bers, that the old days will come
again.
Unfortunately, this passionate loyal
ty to the old heroes and the old ideals
is not accompanied by loyalty to the
present rulers and leader. The hold
of the royal house upon the nation is
very tenuous indeed. No political
leader can command a national fol-
lowing for any considerable length Of
time
The present-day Greek has no capac-
ity for Standardization and discip-
line. Even the army and navy, as
the bloodless revolution" Of a year
ago showed, is completely democrat
lied. With all his devotion to patrt
otto ideals, the Greek has not learned
how to keep quiet and do what he is
told in support of his leaders and
country. He lacks capacity for CO.
hesion, cooperation and efficiency.
The Turkish soldier is a stupid fellow,
by no means the equal of his Greek
enemy, yet he knows how to obey his
officers and fight like a demon. Per
haps, as some say, here, Greece has
too many university students out Of
jobs; she is overturned sentimentally
and intellectually. l listened in the
house Of deputies one day while the
members wrangled and quarreled like
monkeys on the eligibility Of a no.
tary public to parliament; all the
while the national feeling is that the
Turks are at the gate. The need for
Demosthenes is plain. For all signs
are wrong, and all prophets misled,
If Greece is not now at the crisis Of
her modern history.
Greeks Abroad Drill for Fight.
There are more Greeks outside of
Greece than within the country. Tur-
key has more than Greece. The per-
sistence of the Greek national spirit
is almost as marked as that which
makes the Jews in all lands a pecul-
lar people. No measures that Turkey
has ever been able to take have been
effective in Transforming her Grecian
subjects into true Ottomans. The
fundamental reason for this is relig-
ious.
Now, in her time of danger, Greece
looks to the dispersion for succor. 1
learned here, confirming my informa-
ton from the proper American official
sources, that the Greeks in the United
States are diligently drilling for the
great issue. In Boston, Lowell, Man
chester, N. H., Chicago and many 9TH
er centers of Greek immigration, the
men have formed military companies,
and in some cases even have uniforms
and arms. They are making ready
for the call which every Greek in the
world is confident will shortly sound,
in response to which there will be a
swift and simultaneous migration Of
Hellenes from Turkey, Egypt, Mace
donia, England and North America, to
the scene Of what they fondly hope
will be a new HOmeric struggle.
A level-headed official remarked
that it would be more to the point if
ClIC 41CA 6IGCh0 WHO are
military companies would install ex-
pertinent stations in dry-farming; to
help Greece develop her resources.
The national spirit is talking about
what will happen when Greece gets
back her lost territory; whereas the
more sensible course would be to
make the most Of what she now has.
1t is very fine for men and women to
parade in the old national costume,
and to dress their children in it, and
to sit about the cafes talking patriot
ism and singing national songs; but
the present need Of the nation is for
greater individual efficiency, subordi~
nation and loyalty.
The tragic phase of the present
crisis in Greece is that the whole ma
ton is awake TO the possible impend-
ing fate. A peculiarly sensitive PEG.
pie, Of most ardent and patriotic tenn
permanent, they are yet so hampered
by conditions, including their own
mercurial and impractical tempera-
ment, that they must face the en-
croachments of the hated Turk with
flowing speeches rather than with
well-drilled rifles.
Copyright, 1911, by Joseph B. Bowles.)