The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-09-02
A GLIMPSE AT MODERN GREECE

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King Constantine of Greece Is the
second German-nominated prince
whose attempt to rule that ancient
state has brought the country to
grief and himself to ruin. 1t is q
curious fact that Germany has COLI
tributed SO very little toward eman-
cipating Greece, and yet has been
permitted to WELD 30 great a power
and WELD it SO unfortunately for
Greece and Europe.
After the Turks had made their
incursion into Europe, and. gener-
rtion before Columbus came to
America, had overthrown the last
vestige Of the Eastern Empire,
Greece was overrun and entered
upon q long period of calamitous
misrule at the hands of the Moslems.
A little less than a century ago
England, France, and Russia--the
allies of that day as of this-inter-
posed to save the Greeks; and their
united naval forces, at the battle Of
Navarino, 1927, destroyed superior
Turkish and Egyptian naval force.
From this followed the proclamation
Of Greek independence, practically
guaranteed by the allied powers.
After an interregnum of something
like republican rule, Greece was set
up, in 1882, as a kingdom, and Prince
Ohio of Bavaria was given its crown.
England, France, and Russia had
agreed that neither of them would
allow one of it's princes to become
ruler of Greece.
Ohio brought German notions, and
ruled much as if he had been in
control Of a conquered state. The
people were overtaxed and insulted.
while their country was not encour-
aged to develop; no parliament was
established; the people revolted, and
the three powers again interviewed,
to compel a, constitution to be grant
ed. It was not satisfactory, and in
1862 Ohio was driven from the coun-
try and forced to abdicate. The
events Of that time were strangely
similar to those that are transpiring
In Greece today. France, Russia,
and England gave their oountenance,
after fashion, to the revolt against
the German prince, just as they have
encouraged the uprising against
Constantine. They maintained
forces in and about the country
which overshadowed the feeble
Greek regime, precisely as they are
doing now.
Ohio having sailed away never to
return, the Greeks wanted a British
prince, but were refused him, and
George of Denmark was agreed up
on by the allies. He ruled the
country wisely and was much be-
loved, but when he died and Con-
stantine came to the throne, the Ger
man influence came with him, for his
wife is a sister of the German EN-
peror. Thus under Constantine.
Greece has been dragged by its court
party toward the side of Germany,
while the people naturally wanted to
side with the three allied nations
that have been their tried and trust
ed friends ever since the modern
kingdom of Greece was established
under their auspices.
1t is impossible to determine Just
what is happening in Greece today;
but it may be set down as all but
certain that Constantine will ulti-
mately be forced from the throne,
if he has not already yielded it. The
people of modern Greece have grown
to recognize their independence as
the prize granted them by the CO.
operation, the power, and the finan-
cial support of Britain, France, and
Russia. They see their ancient
enemy, the Turk, in arms against
their friends and one-time allies.
They see German court influence
again trying to impose govern
ment upon them that is abhorrent
both to their traditions and to theis
national aspirations. They fear that
if the Teutonic powers should win
the present war, Greece would again
be subordinated to Turkey, ally of
Germany; while they are again
hopeful that if the entente wins
Greece may be restored to some re-
spectacle part Of it's ancient heritage.