New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-07
Venizelos and His King.

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 or the other, but between
war and neutrality
The case for neutrality. which is the
course advocated by King Constantine, Is
this: lie 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 q very signal fashion
After the treaty Of Bucharest Russia anc
Austria were both ready 20 favor revi'
sion which would return Kavala TO Bul-
earia. But the Kaiser sent q message 70
Constantine declaring that he recognized
the settlement as defnitive.
Naturally the King Of Greece has since
held the German Emperor friend. Now.
when he has 70 choose between entering
a doubtful war and risking all the great
gains of his two successful campaigns and
neutrality with a guarantee, he inclines
TO the latter course. II is true that his
svmpathics are Teutonx. that his wife is
n sister Of the Kaiser, that he had his
military training in the German army,
but these are only contributory influences.
Il is true that Bulgaria is the historic
enemy Of Greece. that Ferdinand hopes
10 regain Salonica and Kavala and be
crowned in Byzantium. but Bulgaria is
not the only enemy. 1t was not Bulgaria,
but Italy. VINO prevented Greek annexa-
ton Of Northern Epirus. It is Italy and
no. Bulgaria that holds Rhodes and the
adjoining islands which are Greek by
population and history. More than this,
Il is Italy who aspires TO seat herself in
Asia Minor from Smyrna to Adalia where
the coastal population is Hellenic.
Asthe 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. Conceivably those promises
included the permanent possession Of Al
bania. including Northern Epirus, which
Is Greek by race. together with the
Hgean Islands and the adjacent littoral
Of Asia Minor.
But If Germany wins, she and Austria
both win have every reason to favor
Greece against Italy in Albania and in
the Egean. Conceivably Germany may
compel Greece 70 give up the Kavala dis
trict 20 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 participa-
ton advocated by Vehicles, the argu-
ments 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 Britain. With their
backing. her position in the Hgean Is
assured. and it is only with their per-
mission that she can hope to cross the
Egean and regain those Greek colonies
which provoked the Persian wars at the
very dawn OF history.
However the land war turns out, it IS
clear now that the sea power of the
enemies Of Germany will not be shaken.
If the Allies win Turkey may be parti-
toned. but az least Greek inhabitants of
Turkoy-and there are at least 10000
Of them-will be protected. But if Ger
many wins. then Asia Minor becomes a
German colony and the hope Of restored
Hellenism, which has lived through so
many centuries is postponed again.
II Greece enters the war her financial
situation. which is desperate, will be as
sured. She may hope TO take from Bull
garia the Kgean coast from the Mesta
20 the Martha. which is also Hellenic by
population, and a fraction Of the ancient
Byzantine Empire. that the Greeks still
hope to restore. With Northern Epirus
Western Thrace, the Kgean Islands nov
held by Italy and the foreshore Of Ash;
Minor. Greece would become a nation o.
more than 100000, TOO powerful ever Il
fear Bulgarian attack. and established
as the considerable power in the Easter
Mediterranean.
All this is possible only with the hell
and consent Of the Sea Powers. II i,
possible only if the Allies support Greece
against Italy-but it i. possible. This is
Venizelos's dream. This is the dream Of
oil the Greek world this is the Greater
Greece the dream Of restoring Hellenism
M Cons;autinope and. with the years,
re-creating the Byzantine Empire. As
compared with the vision Of Yenizelos
the purpose Of Constantine is narrow.
lie seeks TO keep Greece as she is, rather
than 70 risk all on desperate venture.
Constantine believes Germany will win.
~ l. II ill