The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-07-05
The Rape of Greece.

shameless rape of Greece by the Allies
compels their organs TO reopen the sub
iect by long-winded apologists of an
ineXcusable action. Germany, what
ever may be said of the right or wrong
of her course, smashed her way
through Belgium; it was the only way
because her existence depended upon
it. The existence of the Allies is not
threatened by any action that Greece
may take. Even as an enemy Greece
would not be a decisive factor.
Before Germany invaded Belgium,
she was afraid of her enmity. The
Allies have assaulted the sovereignty
of Greece, because they fear her neu-
trality. Belgium, as was suspected,
then and proved subsequently, had
compromised her neutrality before the
victorious German troops levelled her
fortresses fortified with French guns.
Greece although not bound by any
treaty Of neutrality, has strictly and
impartially adhered to the require
ments Of international law.
The German Chancellor openly adj,
mitted that the violation of Belgium
was wrong. The Allies, revealing
again their ancient proneness to cant,
maintain that they are really bringing
Nlihnrtv W n If fhn Gapna n
Chancellor We're as black hypocrite
| as Sir Edward Grey, he could have
made similarly fatuous apology for
his action. He would have been far
more justified, for Germany has
brought to Belgium her social welfare
legislation, whereas the Allies have
brought to Greece only hunger and
humiliation.
1t should also be remembered that
Greece is real nation, racially speak
ing, whereas from the same point of
view, Belgium is merely geographical
notion. Her people are either French
or Flemish. They have no language
| of their own, no racial feeling of their
own, no indigenous literature, no tradi-
| tons, no history of their own. Their
traditions were made in Germany and
in France, their history was made in
| London. Greece is country. Bel.
GUM British garrison.
Recently the British Minister at
Athens disingenuously inquired in
what way the Entente had offered
| Greek sovereignty. The following re-
ply made by New Hemera is Of value as
| a historical document, Since this state.
| ment was made, the violation of the
Hellenic rights by the Allies has come
to climax. But even eight weeks
ago the Greek newspaper recited
twenty counts in its dispassionate and
| sober indictment against the Allies.
% Occupation OF islands and their
use for military action without the
sanction and despite the protest of
| Greece.
GU Official Greece is forbidden to
communicate with those islands and to
interfere with their trade.
CD Vessels are searched, and many
of these examinations are not different
from piracy. Within the Greek coast
zone Greek vessels are seized and con.
veyed to remote parts under the pre-
text that they must be examined
ca Control of the Greek postal
service by Selling and searching the
mail-bags.
60 Blockade of Greek ports and
sea areas by means of wire MEETINGS
and mine1.
CD Occupation of Greek telegraph
| Offices; no ciphered kilograms, not
even official ones, being passed.
CD Grain and coal cargoes are ar.
bitrarily seized so that the country
| only lives from hand to mouth, and is
always dependent on the goodwill of
tho Entente.
(S) Interference with the trade of
the country and control of that trade.
(9) Landing of troops on Greek ter.
ritory and conversion of such territory
to theatre of war.
| 10 Destruction of Greek railroads
and bridges.
QD Burning and laying waste OF
! Greek villages.
| Q2) Expulsion of the Greek popu'
lace from their dwellings.
| (13) Establishment of an official
secret police both in the country and
at the capital.
| Q4) Arrest and Imprisonment OF
foreign consuls, of foreign Greek sub
jects on Greek territory.
15) Searching of Greek houses
and business premises without the
sanction of the proprietor or the State
| 16) Occupation of Greek port,
| with armed force in spite of the pro
test raised by the authorities.
| 90 A rude and sometimes violen
attitude to the Greek military tina
lsimply carried out orders of the author
tiles in charge.
| (1S) Interference with Greek Law
by forbidding the arrest of criminals
| Q9) Bribery of Greek officials will
the object of having kilograms ant
state secrets handed over.
| COO Intervention and pressure OF
the Greek Government for the purpos
of preventing the PRONUNCIATION of tn
new army bill
This list of international crimes wa
published in Athens in the middle o
April. What has happened since |
fresh in everybody's mind. Greco
was blockaded and threatened wit
starvation in order to bring her to he
/. A i