Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-12
CAUSE Of THE WAR
AMONG THE ALLIES
BuIgaria's Part In Provoking
Strife Discussed by Ma
tive of Greece.
ASCRIBED TO PASSION
AND GREED FOR SPOILS
Conflict Following Success Against
Turkey Deplored-Loss Of Pres
tige With European Powers.

tige With European Powers.
Light is thrown on the present trouble
between the former allies in the Balkans
and its causes by a letter, written by
Soterios Nicholson. a Washington attor-
ney and a native OF Greece. copies OF
which have been sent to the cabinet
members OF every nation in the world.
Mr.. Nicholson. although a citizen OF
conditions in Greece and the Balkans.
and spends part Of each year there. He
was present at the scene OF the present
strife less than two years ago.
The letter follows:
After concluding a successful war
against Turkey the one-time allied Bal
kan nations are now in the act OF en-
gaging in a fierce fratricidal contest
among themselves. Passion and a greed
for the lions share Of the conquered ter
ritory in one of their number is the only
explanation that can be offered for such
course OF action on their part. One
must sincerely hope that this suicidal
course will be dropped at once and ar
bitration Of the whole matter Of the divi-
sion of territory among the allies be ac-
copied.
After their strikingly successful cam
paigns In the recent war. their victories,
some of which have been among the
most brilliant IN the annals of war; their
tory. 1t is inconceivable that these brave
Balkan peoples should engage in an un-
natural strife.
Results of Strife Outlined.
"Such a struggle would be bad for the
present, with the loss Of property and Of
life; it would add to the enormous sacri-
fees made by them In the war just fin
ished. 1t would be. If possible. worse
for the future.
Such a contingency will destroy for
generation, possibly, with the present OPP
portunity lost, for much longer period.
all hope of concerted action on their part
in European affairs
United the Balkan peoples would be
a power of importance in the councils of
Europe. They would be able to compel
respect for their rights. Torn by internal
strife, they may expect to accept in the
future. as in the past. dictation in their
affairs by the great powers.
United as they are by the ties Of
common interest, Of common religion. II
is inconceivable that they should permit
their passion or greed to be their un-
doing. The world will hold Bulgaria as
principally responsible for such a CON-
tingency.
Now, we all admire the prowess and
the successes Of the Bulgarians in the
late war. as well as those Of the Greeks.
and each should have the share that
quered territory. But Bulgaria is wrong
to seize. and, as 1t appears, by unfair
means, too much. King Ferdinand's gov
eminent should be willing for Russia to
arbitrate the matter of the division OF
territory with all the allies together.
Alleges Insincerity.
"R,1Igarfa in attamptine IN treat with
Servia and then with Greece separately.
is insincere and wishes to take advantage
Of her weaker allies. II she has faith in
the Justice Of her cause she can trust
Russia, the friend OF all the allies, or
Russia, France and England together. to
do justice to herself and to the others
as well.
service of the Greek fleet In preventing
the Transportation of Turkish troops and
provisions during the war. Also that
Servia sent troops to the Siege OF Adri-
anople and the Chataldja lines when the
Bulgarians were in sore need of assist
ance.
1.-The agreed neutral zone between the
Greeks and Bulgarians was: Beginning
from the harbor Of Elefthera. extending
thence northwest to Pagion mountain.
thence through Achinou lake, then fol-
lowing the Strimena river to the village
Mekas, thence north to Nigritas. to Nico-
Ian. to the Agion river. following that
stream to Gevgeiis and then to Ispik The
and Bulgarians. Bulgaria should keep
faith with the Servians and with the
Greeks and not to order the troops to
cross the lines at midnight. as 1t is re-
ported.
Right Of Conquest.
Greece should have the disputed prov
inces Of Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus
east from the basin OF the Nestou river.
to include KavaIa, thence north to include
SeTas. thence westward to Monastir and.
of course. all the Epirus. as 1t is occupied
at present by her troops.
1.-The people of the territory taken by
Greek arms are satisfied to be governed
by Greece. The inhabitants OF the part of
or Macedonia occupied by Bulga-
ria, Greeks. Turks and Jews. have sent a
petition to Sir Edward Grey. British for
eign minister. asking to be ruled by
Greece. The people of Koritsia. In Epirus.
have dispatched similar petition to the
British minister, stating that Is the only
way to permanently settle the boundary
question there
..Karitsia, being purely a Grecian city.
occupied by Greeks at present, the powers
should consider that they Will never live
under any other nationality or with Al
bania. as some OF the powers nave sus-
gested. The wishes OF these peoples
should be COnSluSEeu nc GbsSdi i1SAAo O. .
showing their unfairness and therefore
their unfitness to govern these territories
occupied by them by closing the Greek
schools and by compelling the Greeks TO
attend the Bulgar churches.
In the present as In the future aiign-
ment Of the Balkan nations II 10 mis-
take to think that Bulgarfa's other
neiRhbor Roumania. likes or favors
the former in any way. Roumania dis
likes and distrusts her more powerful
neighbor This was shown by the at
titude of the former toward the latter
during the recent war She also may
be counted upon to oppose Bulgaria.
Allies Service to Europe.
THE allies rendered great service
to Europe, to civilization. as well as to
the inhabitants Of the conquered terri |
tory b. expeIling the Turks and thus
practically banishing the effete Mos |
lem ciyiiizetion from Europe. Tae peo-
nile or Europe and OF the civilized
world should therefore be interested In |
seeing theee brave Balkan peoples ar
bitrats their differences. and thus avoid |
. war disastrous to them for all time. |
Though such a war might crafty and /
nroft one or two mercenary nations, |
II would be behe!d with profound sor- |
row by all disinterested peoples and |
be a calamity to the Balkan nations i
torS who shoulder to shoulder In bril-