New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-23
COnStantineWantS to
Guard Benevolent
Neutrality.
WILL. ALLOW
SAFE RETREAT
Troops Who Cross Border
Won't Be DiSarmed,
Says Minister.
lBy cable to The Tribune

London, Nov. 23.--klnR Ionstan-
tine told Earl Kitchener that he
wished to continue an attitude Of
benevolent neutrality toward the
Allies.
SO says the Athens correspondent
of The Daily Chronicle" who adds
that he learns the British War Sec
retary was impressed and gratificd
by his interview.
London believes that the firm atti-
tude adopted by the Entente Powers
toward Greece will clear the Balkan
situation before long. a show Of
force, such as the blockade of the
Hellenic ports. will influence the
wavering Balkan states, British Of
ficials assert.
The dispatch to The Daily Chron-
icle" says:
Kitchener has come and gone.
One result Of his visit, his audience
with the King and his interview with
the Premier. is that the political
situation seems easier, although the
tension is not entirely relaxed.
While the government has not made
any official communication on the
subject, il is certain that an accord
can be reached between Greece and
the Entente Powers.
The British War Minister de-
Tended the proposals which he pre-
sented in the business-lke yet
courteous way which BELTS a man
of action. learn that Kitchener
was impressed and gratiied by the
royal audience.
Affrms His Friendship.
'In a cordial way the two soldier
discussed topics Of military interest.
Constantine has profound admira-
tion for Kitchener.
Presently the conversation turned
on the burning topic Of Greece's al
titude to the Balkan problem. In
this | am able to say that the King
affirmed strongly the wish of his
country and himself to continue an
attitude of benevolent neutrality
toward the Allied Powers. He
pointed out the many grave diff
culties which beset his efforts to
carry out what he conscientiously
believed his duty.
THE King added that error and
misapprehension had unhappily
arisen. There had been busy
attempts to estrange Greece and the
Allied powers. Greece, however,
was not TO be blamed. Her attitude
would continue to be correct. Kiteh-
ener left the Palace with a smile
on his bronze face and with the a'r
of a man who had achieved some
thing.
Later this military envoy Of Brit
ain discussed with the Premier the
more intimate political bearings OF
the situation here There were fresh
emphatic protestations OF friend
shin. but Kitchener, understand
politeIy asked for something more
tangible than that. He formulated
certain suggestions and outlined
pIan of action. which, if accepted,
would serve to guarantee Greek
solidarity and the security Of the
Allied troops in the Balkans.
Premier Renews Pledge.
The Premier replied that Greece
was prepared to 90 TO the utmost
possible lengths to give satisfaction
to the legitimate demands Of the
Allies and to prove that he ardently
desired peace. not war.
Benevolent neutrality we have
offered and continue to offer added
Skouloudis. On this basis an accord
will probably be framed"
"The government press is cautious in
discussing the visit and its probable re-
suits. but the opposition. the Venize-
list papers, are more outspoken and are
even jubilant concerning the visit. They
declare that Greece can hardly decline
in the main the Kitchener proposals
and must agree at least TO partial dc
mobilization and to other esscntiai
guarantees asked by the Allies. r.
''The visit Of the war envoy OF hreat
Britain has made a profound pont'es
impression in Athens. whose citihens
have demonstrated enthusiastically N
honor of the great so!dier-statesman OF
the western islands.
"The only trjng we want Is peaee'
.nd Won are irving 70 force US TO make