The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-03-19
NEW KING A HERO:
MAY BE EMPEROR
Constantine Chprishes .Ambi-
tiOn to Emulate the Byzan-
tine Monarch.
FOR AN EMPIRE OF EAST
His Strength of Character
Shown in Rising Superior
to Foes in Greece.

King Constantine. the new ruler OF
Greece was unpopular four years ago In
his own kingdom, where to-day he 1.
a hero, classed with the ancient war.
riors Of the historic land.
The ruler for whom the Greek. al
over the world as we'll as their native
land. have been buying chaplets
swords. Jewelled wreaths. an being the
liberator Of the land from tho thrall OF
the Turks. has heard outside the palace
walls at Athens and at his own chateau
OF Tatoi the demand Of the mob that
he and his father addicate in favor of
his own eldest son. Prince George.
He has had the Military League of
his own army and navy against him to
the extent Of mutiny. He has been in
Weighed against in the Parliament and
publicly denounced in the newspapers
for political reasons Now when he re-
tp- to Athens not only as King but
mmander Of an army that revived
!. glory that once was Greece's there
Will be no limit to the popular enthu-
siasm.
1t was not known definitely in New
York city yesterday whether or not IT
Win be Emperor Constantine XIII. or
King Constantine l. when the time
comes to ascend the throne of the Hell
lenes. The last Byzantine Emperor,
Centuries ago. was Constantine XII,
and as the kingdom now may embrace
considerable Of the ancient territory Of
the Empire of the East the old title
may be selected. The opinion among
educated Greeks Of this city is that the
old title will be revived
Konstantinos. Duke OF Sparta. eldest
son Of King George. was born at Ath-
ems August 2. 1858 He was educated
by tutors who were brought from Leip-
sic. One OF the accusations against him
has been that he has always shown the
effects OF German influence. Tall. SOL
dierly in appearance. quiet, reserved
almost to the point OF shyness in the
ordinary court functions, he has always
made every endeavor to avoid the
crowds. He is a soldier a soldier of
caution rather than dash. a Moreau
rather than Ney.
Just as his more impulaive and some
times more popular brother. Prince
George, took to the sea. no did Prince
Constantine incline to the army. His
military education was received from
the best instructors in Europe
Has Decided Views.
The new King has always been
known as a man with opinions OF his
own. even to the extent OF opposing
Ministry which ne thought was going
contrary TO the best interests Of the
country. The Tricoupis Cabinet ran
contrary to his wishes and the. Tr-
coupis Cabinet went out of office.
There was great hue and cry at
that time about the Interference OF the
royal family. but at the next election
the people stood solidly by the Crown
Prince.
King Constantine Is a brother in
law OF the German Emperor. although
It is said the brothers-in-law have not
spoken to each other for six years. He
was married at Athens October 27. 1899
to the Princess Sophia Of Prussia, sister
OF Emperor William. and his trouble
with the German Emperor started when
the Princess became a member Of the
Orthodox Greek Church The Kaiser is
"A Lutheran, lie objected 70 the change
Of faith.
There are Ave children by the mar
r!age-Prince George, now the Prince
Royal. was born July 10, 1890. and was
with his royal father at the front
Prince Alexander, born In 1893; Pr,n-
cess Helene, born in 1896; Prince Paul
born in 1901, and the Princess Irene
who is Q years cd
King Constantine undoubtedly did
much to keep his father on the throne
so many years There had been threats
against King George, but none Of them
very seriously bothered the monarch.
He declared that he would not abdi-
cate. They could put him out on a
pension, For years he preferred the de-
lights OF Paris and the baths OF France
10 his own kingdom.
Constantine always acted as regent.
He administered with all the firmness
that an exceedingly Jealous kingdom
would permit. How Jealous the Greeks
may he was shown in their attitude
after the Cretan flasco when the present
King was accused of involving his
country unnecessarily.
There were Just az bitter structures
after the previous war with Turkey in
Thessaly, where 1t was said that his
conduct had not been princely That the
criticism was unjust has long since
been acknowledged, but at that time
there were loud demands that he re-
sign the succession.
Change Of spirit.
The change in public spirit has come
with the yea re- during which Craa,> ho.