The Washington herald., 1914-06-21

ANSWERS ATTACK
Nation Is Unwilling to Be
Forced Into Unnecessary
War with Turkey.
NOT WEAKNESS OF FLEET.
Alexander Youros Replies to Recent
Charges Made by Ambassador
Rustum Bey.
NOT WEAKNESS OF FLEET

4 - a
Not the weakness Of the Greek feet.
but the unwillingness of the government
to have an utterly unnecessary war forced
on Greece. is the real reason Of the
efforts being made in Athens to avoid
drastic consequences OF the friction that
now. exists between Greece ana Turkey.
This contention is made in a statement
issued yesterday from the Greek legation
by Alexander vouros the Greek charge
d'aftaires,
As a matter Of fact, the statement
points out, the Greek navy at present is
stronger than the Turkish navy. This
was demonstrated beyond question In the
two last engagements between the navies
OF the two countries.
The estimate of comparative strength
made by Mr.. vouros in the statement
of course. does not take into considera-
tion the addition of new fighting craft
to either navy. According to a recent
announcement by the Turkish govern
ment. the Turkish navy is soon to be
strengthened by the acquisition of two
new Dreadnoughts. one from Brazil and
one from England. and the addition of
these vessels win make the Turkish navy
Infinitely superior to the Greek navy.
Reply TO Rustum Bey.
The statement from the Greek lega-
ton takes up in detail points made in
an interview given out here few days
ago by Rustum Bey. the new Turkish AM
bassador to the United States. who has
just arrived in Washington. In the in
terview the Turkish Ambassador stated
that the Greek government had grossly
-.
the Turks were prosecuting the Greek
settlers in Turkey.
In reply to Rustum Bey. MrA.Alexander
Vouros. charge de'auaires OF the Greek
legation. says in part:
Turkey. having allowed outrages TO
be committed for the purpose of driving
the entire Greek population from its
borders. has also Instituted a well sus-
tanned policy tending to convince the
civilized world that Greece, and not
Turkey is responsible for the wholesale
exodus of Greek people in Turkey.
The party now controlling the gov
ernment. contrary TO the age-old policy
Of Turkey, has openly embarked on a
new policy Of persecution and confsca--
tion that has driven thousands upon
thousands of Greek people across the sea
TO Greece in a state of utter poverty
and abject misery. Determined to seize
property and land for the benefit of
Turkish immigrants, the Turkish gov
eminent has only recently. and as a re-
suit of representations made to them
by the Greek government, punished some
OF the Turks who despoiled and banished
Greek families and whole communities
without the slightest cause.
However, the Turkish government says
nothing in regard to the return of the |
to their homes, and adds that
this question is capital one and must |
be settled in order to establish good re- |
ations between the two countries.
The Real Situation.
''The motive of the unjust proceedings |
against the, Greeks in Asia Minor has |
been to make room in Turkey for the |
Musselmen, who immigrated from the
erritory ceded to the Balkan allies.
THE real situation. therefore. is this: |
The Musselmen. immigrating from the l
,eded territory, have retired into Turkey,
to continue under Turkish rule.
Fhe Turkish government. without the
slightest regard for rights or property,
las quartered the Mussslmen immigrants
IN the Greek homes and villages and has
wen given the Musselmen the right to
i've in Christian homes and be supported /
It the expense of the Greeks. When the
creeks have objected or resisted. they
ave Oeent Prosecuted ana driven out OF !
heir homes, and finally compelled to
ly from the country. The logical out
ome of this has been that the Turks
Sho were at first unlimited guests. have
'ecome the owners, literally by force, of
he homes and property Of former in
of the land.
Now the statement is made that the
ireek government, in an attempt to lure
o Macedonia the Greeks that are II
Turkey. has spread mendaeious reports
n Turkey and throughout the civilized
world in order to frighten the Greeks
md compel them to make this much
dvertised exodus reality. This, on
he face of it. is absurd.
Furthermore, 1t is worse than absurd
o charge that Greece oould in any way
e responsible for the murders and out
ages committed upon tbe Greeks 4
nan does not give up his home and living
or slight consideration. And the only
hing that has caused the frightful exo-
us OF miserable and poverty stricken
sreeks from the Musselmen territory is
hat they have been subjected to a per-
ecution which allowed them to retain
othing but their lives II
UYUw 1 ,