New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-04
Bv WILLIAM WAKEFIELD.

Correspondent u The New YORK IHluAe'
Athens. April 5.-"The interests OF
America and Greece in the .Egean are
Identical
n FIeutherios Venizelos, who re
Gently resigned the Premiership OF
Greece. so declared this morning IN
talking 20 The Tribune CORE 'p0ndehI
about his plans for greater Greece
Tho statesman. VINO boosted that ne
had doubled the area Of Greece sara
the time had come 20 QuadrupIc IT, -.
That could be done, ne declared. II
Greece would throw her fortunes Win
the Allies. Smyrna had been promised
as the price for her aid and the Greek
kingdom could be extended TO the coast
of Asia Minor. | suggested that such
p policy excited much sympathy IN lhe
United States. VI. Nenizelos became
very enthusiastic. His eyes ghstened'
and he spoke rapidly:
Il hope YOU will say this in your
paper: The interests of America ana
Greece IN the Kgean are identical AS
commercial nations we both appreciate
the value of honesty; as republican
nations VIC know that free trade rela-
tions cannot exist under autOcratc
tyranny. | appeal 10 America for sym
Uatbv on the ground of commercial
freedom. but more than that, on the
ground Of our mutual love of the po-
litical liberty which can come 70 the
Greek communities in Asia only under
a Greek government
Allies Offer Smyrna.
The reason for VI. Venizelos's resig-
nation a month ago was that he con-
sidered the time ripe for the particlpa-
tion Of Greece IN the international
struggle. while the King, backed by a
minority in the Parliament, was un-
willing to sever friendly relations WITH
his brother-in-law, the Kaiser. ne
succeeding Premier has not varied VI.
Ncnizelos's policy except I'm regard 10
the maintenance Of neutrality.
"Our relations with England, as well
as With France. are most friendly said
the former Premier. Before ] went
out of office there was distinct under
standing that should We decide to JON
the Allies against the Turks our pos
session Of Smyrna would be guaran,
tced. Yes. the use of our ports would
be q great advantage to the allied meet:
but they desire also the cooperation OF
our land and sea forces, Including
the erstwhile American battieshlps,' ne
added, with a smile.
MY pOllCN IL " tApdlu wv 30
kinqdorn on national basis so that n
Greek government shall rule over the
Greek people. You will remember that
the coast Of Asia Minor was part OF
ancient Greece, and assure you that
the people Of Smyrna represent The
purcst Greek blood. Not only ls THIS
blood that of the vast majority Of the
population Of the city, but IT predoml-
mates in the villages as well. Last May
the Turks. Jealous of our occupation Of
the islands of Mitylene, Chios and Sa-
mos, drove thousands Of these people
from their homes. More recently
others have been elected from the city
itself until Athens, as you know, CON
tains a large number Of refugees. IL S
70 bring these people under the Greek
government that | wish TO enter inc
war.
"Our relations in the Balkans arc en-
tirely satisfactory. With Serbia we
are on particularly friendly terms and
all Serbian war materials arc. freely
passed through our country. An ALI
ance does exist between us, hut me