The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-15
THE BALKANS.
what Influence VIII the Allied Army
Have on the Greek?

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Ven
izelos, the ex-Premier of Greece. is
justly and aptly called the maker OF
modern Greece. When he first came
into power AZ Premier that country was
In a state Of decentralization, virtually
on the verge Of anarchy. There wa
then no responsible Government to speak
of. Parliament and the King, then King
George, were no more han puppets in
the hands Of military cliquee, and the
Kings SONS, including the present King,
then Crown Prince, were practically
exiles.
In a very short time Venizelos had
crushed the power of the ~contending po-
litlcal factions and military cliqucs, had
established order out of chaos, and had
effected the seemingly impossible task OF
re~generating Greece. He was then ready
to give a concrete form to his long
cherished dream, the creation of "a
greater Greece. His ambition was real
lied when, mainly due to his states
manship and patience, the Balkan
League was formed. a feat which Eu-
rope had deemed impossible of accom-
plishment. M Turkey soon was pros
trate at its feet. At the conclusion of
h treaty of London, Greece had more
than doubled her former area.
Meanwhile Crown Prince Constantine.
thanks to the new army, which Venice
los had equipped and the French mill
tary mission under Gen. Eydou had
trained and organized. was gaining
popularity on the battlefield.
Now 1t Is due to the popularity thus
gained. backed by the jealousies Of the
political stars which the star OF Neni-
zelos had eclipsed. that King Constan-
tine has twice dared to dismiss the
maker of Greece. and seem withal UNI
concerned as to the consequence. The
question IL whether the people of Greece
will now rally behind their leading pa
triot. or will bow to the will of their
foreign sovereign.
The press of The Allies processes TO
see In the action Of the King a spark
for revolution. But Constantine knows
his people better, and at best Nenizclos
can only hope that the victory of his
opponent may not lead to adventures
that would endanger the integrity OF
the kingdom which he has worked SO
hard to build.
one consoling fact has ONE out OF
this Balkan muddle. the fact that at
last wavering has given place to de-
cision. temporizing to frmness. 1t Is
well and encouraging that the Allies
have decided to speak 10 the Balkan
States, whose diplomatic language IL
almost always dilatory and equivocal
In the language which they understand
best and heed most. that of yes oil
mo" with Is or against us. which,
The examples OF Turkey and OF Bull
garia need not have a third in Greco,
20 prove the i'll consequences of toe
much patience and too much temper
ance. Indeed, none was necessary. a
fact long before established and but toe
we'll known Is hat the States Of South
eastern Europe, proverbially gctfu
and unappreciativc. are impressed NOR
by show OF force han by reasoning AM
force Of argument intrigue weighs VIII
them more Than clean diplomacy. Ger
many might ave stopped to theiI
level to win her point, but she has woI
never,helcss-Grccce is transfNed t
suspicious inaction and Bulgaria is VOL
already to the enemy's camp.
But all is not we; lost. The Slav sptri
of the Bulgarian peasant. rough bu
simple, may yet assert itself. The un
yelling of Grcece's supposed friendship
through the action Of her pro-C;ermai
King relieves the Allies dilemma o
friendly" Greece versus Bulgaria, an'
they may decide to act. And Bulgaria
more than Greece. is after all the Ike!
10 the capital OF the Turk. With Sa
lonica added to Monastir tho Bulga
army may yet turn it's face to constan
tinople instead Of to Nlsh. Nothing i
too strange not TO happen in the Bal
kans. r.. TABET.
NEW YORK. October IL.