Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-07
VENIZELOS AND HIS KING
rreconcabe Differences Between Greek Ruler and Premier
Which Led to Latters Forced Resignaton-The Balkan
Situation From the Hellenic Point of View
By FRANK H. SIMONDS


TT is wholly simple to reason in the case
i of Greece, as in that of Bulgaria, that
gratitude and self-interest alike should
lead the nation and the King into the Allied
camp. Yet in both instances there are very
sound reasons for an opposite course. In the
case of Greece. moreover, the question does
not lie between making war on one side
the other. but between war and neutrality.
The case for neutrality, which is the course
ADVOCATED by King Constantine, is this: He
has the pledge of his brother-in-law, the
Kaiser, that neutrality will earn him German
protection in case of German victory. Now,
on one historic occasion, the Kaiser did make
good his friendship for Constantine in very
signal fashion. After the treaty of Buchar-
est Russia and Austria were both ready to
favor a revision which would return Kavala
to Bulgaria. But the Kaiser sent a message
to Constantine declaring that he recognized
the settlement as defntive.
Naturally the King of Greece has since
held the German Emperor a friend. Now,
when he has to choose between entering a
doubtful and risking all the great gains
of his two successful campaigns and neutral
ity with guarantee, he inclines to the lat
ter course. 1t is true that his sympathies are
Teutonic that his wife is sister of the
Kaiser, that he had his military training in
the German army, but these are only con-
tributory influences.
Italy's Aspirations
It is true that Bulgaria is. the historic
enemy of Greece, that Ferdinand hopes to
regain Salonca and Kavala and be crowned
in Byzantium, but Bulgaria is not the only
enemy. 1t was not Bulgaria, but Italy who
prevented Greek annexation of Northern
Epirus. 1t is Italy and not Bulgaria that
holds Rhodes and the adjoining islands
which are Greek by population and history
More than this, it is Italy who aspires to seat
herself In Asia Minor from Smyrna to Adalia
where the coastal population is Hellenic.
AS the ally of Russia, France and Great
Britain, Italy can expect the support of these
Powers for her plans In the Near East Who
knows what promises Italy obtained from
the Sea Powers before she entered the war?
Certainly Athens does not know Conceiv-
ably those promises included the permanent
possession of Albania, including northern
Epirus which is Greek by race, together
with the Aegean Islands and the adjacent
lttoral OF Asia Minor.
But IL Germany wins, she and Austria both
will have every to favor Greece
against Italy In Albania and in the Aegean.
Conceivably Germany may compel Greece TO
give up the Kavala district TO Bulgaria, but
the Allies asked and Venizelos agreed to this
sacrifice last spring. In opposing this the
King had the support of the Hellenic nation.
Turning now 10 the case for participation,
advocated by Venizelos, the arguments are
equally potent. Greece, by her geographical
situation, is and must remain at the mercy
OF the Sea Powers She owes her liberty and
her development to France and Great Brit
ain. With their backing. her position in the
Aegean is assured, and It is only with their
permission that she can hope to cross the
Aegean and regain those Greek colonies
which provoked the Persian wars at the very
dawn of history.
However the land war turns out, II is
clear now that the sea power of the enemies
OF Germany viii not be shaken. II the Allies
win. Turkey may be partitioned, but at least
Greek Inhabitants OF Turkey-and there are
at least 5000 900 OF them-win be protected
But II Germany wins, then Asia Minor be-
comes a German colony and the hope OF re-
stored Hellenism. which has lived through 80
many centuries. Is postponed again.
Venizelos Dream
II Greece enters the war her financial sit
uation, which IL desperate. win be assured
She may hope TO take from Bulgaria the
Aegean coast from the Mesta TO the Maritza
which Is also Hellenic by population, and a
fraction OF the ancient Byzantine Empire
that the Greeks stiIl hope TO restore. with
northern Epirus. western Thrace, the
Aegean Islands now held by Italy and the
foreshore OF Asia Minor. Greece would be-
come a nation OF more than 100000 too
powerful ever 70 fear Bulgarian attack. and
established az the considerable Power IN the
eastern Mediterranean.
All this Y possible only with the help ana
consent Of the Sea Powers II 4 possibie
only II the Allies support Greece against
ftaly-but Il la possible. This IL Venl1olon