New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-17
GREEKS HERE WATCH
DARDANELLES FIGHT
Believe Advances Bring
Own Nation Closer 10
Entering War.

Greeks in the United States, and
especially In New York City, are watch
ing with eager interest the progress of
the attack being made by the armies
and fleets of the Allies on the Oar
danelles. Many Of these Hellenic sub
jects are veterans of other wars, and
their deep interest, apparently, Is
based on authentic, if not official, in
timation that with every inch OF
ground gained in Turkish territory ~
the Allies their own country Is brought
nearer 20 joining in the conflict. and
that with a decisive victory against
their ancient enemy the Greeks in this
country will receive hurried call TO
the colors.
Local Greeks are Ared with the war
shirt. and many of them. even without
waiting for the call, have volunteered
their services in case Greece changes
her attitude OF neutrality and becomes
one of the combatants. They are en-
couraged In this sentiment by the in
creasing indications from Athens and
in statements by leading Greek states
men that Greece may soon be called on
to take up arms against the Teuton-
Turco allies. This belief is strength
ened By the unsuccessful negotiations
recently conducted in this country by
an agent Of the Athens government for
the purchase of the Argentine super
dreadnought Moreno, recently com
pleted at the shipyards of the New
York Shipbuilding Company, at Cam
den. As told in The Tribune a few
days ago, Greece was ready 70 pay 49,
10000 for the vessel which cost Ar
gentina about Sl2,000.000.
This offer gave an insight Of the ac-
tive preparations being made By Greece
and OF the large amount Of money that
nation is willing 20 spend for military
preparation, which is in addition 10
similar expenditures already made.
Demetrius n. Botassi. Greek Consul
General in New York, who is q close
student Of European politics. and par
ticularly such phases as affect his
country and incidentally Turkey, yes
terday gave his views as 10 the atti-
tude of Greece and her possible sub
sequent policy. King Constantine, said
Mr.. Botassi, has a very decided policy,
which is not in any way affected by the
fact that the Queen of Greece is Sis
ter of Emperor william OF Germany
81 dismiss the idea" said the Greek
official that the King does not like
TO go to war against Turkey, and con-
sequently against Germany and Aus
tria, on account of the Queen being a
German. The King is too patriotic to
be swsyed by such a consideration.
And the people OF Greece follow the
King in whatever he decides"
Mr.. Botassi readily admitted that
Greece has been a large purchaser in
the American market of arms, ammu-
milton, hospital supplies and coal. OF
which she would have use only In case
of participation in the European war.
He said that his country could put
100000 In the field.
There are several reasons" said
Mr.. Botassi, why we should keep
quiet for the present. One is that we
are watching what the other Balkan
States will do, and we will act accord
ingly. For the present we want 70
keep quiet and TO develop what we ac-
quired in the second Bulgarian war.
such as the possession Of Salonics and
of Kavalla, which produces the finest
Turkish tobacco, celebrated all over
the world, and from which Turkey used
TO derive an immense revenue.
"But the Greeks are so firmly estab
lished there now that there is no dan
ger of their losing il. Since the second
war Greece has been arming. and IS
now prepared 20 repel any attack from
whatever quarter il may come. The
attack can hardly come from Turkey.
To attack Greece Turkey must march
through Bulgarian territory. which is
utterly impossible.
"For time we were apprehensive on
account Of the superiority Of the Turk
ish feet, which now includes the Ger
man ironclads Breslau and Goeben.