Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-03-20


prince who became king and the
founder of a new dynasty in CLASH
cal realm of the Hellenes, not only
because of his close relationship to
the royal family of Great Britain, but
because England in a manner, was
responsible for his election to the
throne and stood sponsor for the new
dynasty.
Prince William George was only
eighteen years old and a midshpman
in the British navy when he was of
fered the throne of Greece. The
former ruler, King Otto l. who was a
Bayarian prince, was dethroned by a
revolution in 1862, and the provisional
government by the ministry was not
strong enough to prevent political
complications which threatened to I'M
dermine the peace of Europe.
Takes Crown as He Is Punished.
The young prince had been sent to
the masthead for punishment when
the emissaries of the powers arrived
to offer him the crown. He accept.
ed through his father, and having
been officially declared of age, he
made his entry in Athens Oct 80 of
that year, took the oath and assembled
the throne.
Four years later, Oct IS, 1867, he
married the Grand Duchess Olga, cid.
est daughter of Crank Duke Constan-
tine of Russia. thus joining one Of
the most powerful re!gaing families
OF Europe.
The Greeks agreed to settle S225..
600 year Upon their new king, Eng.
land, France and Russia each agreed
TO add $4,000 year for the term Of
hts ,tfe and about $4,000 was charg.
ed for his benefit on the Ionian isl.
ands, which were later ceded to him
by Great Britain.
Accumulates a Fortune.
Although his civil list always was
neager. King George by means OF his
remarkable business ability accumY-
lated an enormous fortune during the
fifty years of his reign. He made
large sums by successful speculation
Oh the bourse and invested his win.
LiEgs in landed estates IN Greece.
real estate in various countries OF
Europe and in the United States, be.
coming the owner Of mines, farms.
Plantations and factories, owner OF
stocks in railroads and various tnaa
Cial and commercial estah.shm
and of large feet Of merchant YES
sole trGHiDo ~,
ports.
Prince Constantine Successor
Queen Olga bore him six children,
OF whom all bat the Youngest Prince
Christopher born in 1883, are mar
ried, The heir to the throne is Prince
Constantine. Duke of Sparta, who was
horn in 1868, and in 1889 was married
to Princess Sophia. sister Of Emperor
William H.
Although King George had always
shown great devotion to his people
and proved himself faithful and lib
eral king, neither he nor his family
enjoyed great popularity. Many times
the dynasty was seriously threatened.
but King George maintained his dig
nifty and weathered all storms, even
the critical period of the disastrous
war against Turkey.
Since Greece declared war against
Turkey in October, 1912, King George
and his family have grown more pop
ular and the future of the dynasty
seems to be safer than at any other
time in the last half century. Next
to Emperor Francis Joseph of Aus
tria. King George was the oldest
among European rulers
Almost every court in Europe will
be thrown into mourning by the death
Of King George I of Greece.
Personality of New King.
Konstantines, DUKE of Sparta, eld
est son Of King George. was born at
Athens, Aug. 2, 1868. He was edu
Gated by tutors, who We're brought
from Leipsic, and one of the accusa
lions against him has been that he
has always shown the effects Of Ger
man influence. Tall soldierly in ap-
pearance. Quiet, reserved, almost 10
the point Of shyness. in the ordinary
every eudeavor to avoid the crowds
He Is a soldier.
Just as his brother, Prince George
took to the sea, so did Prince Con
stantine incline to the army. and his
military education was received from
the best instructors in Europe. The
king has always been known as a
man with opinions of his own, even
to the extent of going out after min
istry which he thought was going
contrary to the best interests Of the
country The Tricoupes cabinet rag
contrary to his wishes and the Tri
coupes cabinet went out of office,
There was a great hue and cry at
that time about the interference Of
the royal family. but at the next cleo
tion the people stood solidly by the
crown prince.