Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1916-09-01
CONSTANTINE |.
ABD|CATES The
GREC|AN THRONE

LONDON, Sept. liking Constan-
tine l., of Greece, has abdicated his
throne according to the British official
press representative at Sa1oniki The
British statement announcing the alb
dication makes no reference to who
will succeed Constantine as head OF
the Greek nation.
Constantine /. took the Greek throne
on March 1S, 1913, following the assas-
sination of his father, George l., at
saloniki, and until the beginning of
tile present European war, was very
popular. By participation in the Bal
kan wars Constantine increased the
territory of the Greek nation by about
fifty per cent. He had occupied the
throne exactly three years, six months
and fourteen days when he abdicated.
Porn August 8, 1868, Constantine's
main education was received from pri-
vate teachers at Leipsic, and from this
came a German influence. In military
training he attended many German
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Princess Sophie, sister of Kaiser
Wilhelm, in 1889. he became a brother
in-law of the present German emperor
At the conclusion of the Balkan
wars a defensive treaty was nego-
tiated between Greece and Serbia, both
nations binding themselves to fight to-
gether should either signatory to the
convention be attacked by more thar
one other nation This treaty was still
in force when Austria's ultimatum
was sent to Serbia, and when it be-
came evident Bulgaria would side
with the Central Powers and declare
war against Serbia, Venizelos, premier
of the Greek government, prepared to
enter the war in defense of Serbia
Constantine, under the Teutonic infu-
ence of his wife, dismissed Venizelos,
ordered new elections held and mobi.-
lied the army, thus preventing the re
turn to parliament of Venizelos partf-
sans When Bulgaria actually at
tackled Serbia, Constantine declared
it impractical to carry out the terms
Of the treaty with that nation and pro-
claimed policy of benevolent neu,
trality toward the Allies French and
British troops were permitted to lan0
at Saloniki, but their operations were
continually interfered with by the
Greek government, until finally a
pacific blockade was declared by
the Entente nations, this blockade
shutting all foreign supplies out OF
Greek ports.
Following the establishment of a
blockade Constantine, yielding to the
demands of the world powers, demo5-
ilized the Greek army, ordered new
elections held, and removed interfer
euces complained of by French, Brit
ish and Russian military authorities.
When the Bulgars actually invaded
Greek territory, attacking and put
ting to rout the small garrisons main
tanned on the frontier, Constantine's
position became almost untenable, the
populace demanding the calling Of
Venizelos to head the government,
and his German wife demanding that
Constantine continue to dominate the
government despite the will of the
Greek people. On Thursday, when
the French, British and Russian dip
lcmats at Athens were summoned to
Tic kings palace, it became evident
that change was inevitable, but
few thought Constantine would abd;-
,ote before yielding TO the pressure
Of public opinion. Hence announce
ment of his abdication today comes
surprise.
The independence of Greece is
Guaranteed by France, England and
Russia, treaty to this effect being
igned between these nations in 1878
TIE ONL7