Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-12-15
THE DEMOCRACY or CONsTAN-
TINE.

great but unfortunate King IinO
does he is bound to displease the
powers that are strangling poor
Greece. And he is certain to vex the
Evening Post, the Sun, the Globe,
and Mr.. Pulitzers organ Of Anglo
Saxonism, the World. AS we well
know, all these papers are self ap-
pointed guardians of the little ma
tions." These papers have of late been
exploiting the theory that Constan-
tine is q monstrous tyrant Accord
ing to them his one object in life is
to oppose the wishes OF his people
For instance, according to the World,
his subjects were clamorous in their
efforts to die for England and
, France. Thoy insisted upon sacri-
iicing all their wealth In lives and
property for the Allies. But the
wicked king in true despotic manner
turned d deaf ear to their entreaties.
Yet how is it possible to say that the
Greek people want war against Ger
many, when with the treacherous
Cretan, NeniZelos, on one side, and
the Allied guns ont he other, they
still persist in remaining neutral. IF
the Greek people wanted war they
would have swept Constantine Off the
throne and would have been in the
conflict long ago. If Constantine
We're as powerful as it is claimed he
is, Venizelos would have paid with
his life by this time for his betrayal
OF the Hellenic nation.
Constantine understands what his
people want and that is why he Is the
most beloved ruler that Greece ever
had. That is why Greece is solidly
lined behind him. That is why last
Saturday, against his will, many of
his faithful subjects rose against the
French troops and split their blood
in behalf Of their King and country.
The objection to King Constantine on
the part OF the Allies and a certain
section cf the American press is due
to his disinclination to drag his
country into the war and into GER
tain disaster His fault lies in his
desire TO protect Greece from the
horrors OF the European conflict. 1t
would have been well for the Ruman-
ian people had their ruler been as
patriotic as Constantine
In eloquent language Greece now
protests to the world against the
violation Of her neutrality. VIII her
cry for justice be needed? We here
with republish the document pres
ented 10 our State Department, on
December 2. by the Greek Charge
d'Affaires:
From the beginning of the
European War the Hellenic Govern
ment, reconizing its duties in regard
to the defense Of the national in
terests and its responsibility toward
the country, has, after an extended
examination of the situation, decided
that Greece ought not to take part
in the sanguinary struggle in which
nearly oil OF Europe has become in
volved.
"The Hellenic Government, while
maintaining its neutrality, had con-
stantly in view the possible abandon
ment OF this policy If at a given mo-
ment it should be convinced that,
however great might be the sacrifices
and dangers OF a war. it would serve
the national aspirations.
"Unf ortunately. it has not been
| possible for us up to the present to
obtain The necessary guarantees that
Greece by engaging in the European
conflict would not be doomed to in
evitable destruction
In remaining neutral. the Hell
leDic Government had in view only
Hellenic interests, and has not been,
as a consistent effort has been made
to make it appear, in sympathy with
one of the two belligerent groups.
A Greek Government could think
solely OF Greek interests.
'The geographical situation Of
Greece, which places it in most direct
contact with one Of the two groups
OF belligerent powers, renders very
difficult a strict application Of it's
policy. 1t is for this reason that the
Government has been forced TO sub
nit to the occupation by foreign
arms Of it's Macedonian provinces and
to permit belligerents TO take possess
sion of its telegraph wires, geaports,
public buildings and public works.
Greek roads and railroads have
been occupied by force, and, further
more, bridges and tunnels valued at
many millions have been completely
destroyed.
AT tho moment when the present
Hellenic Government assumed power
an imposing feet blocked the en-
| trance TO the Strait OF Salamis, the
anchorage of the Hellenic fleet. and
despite cur protestations and formal
refusals we have been compelled to
command our crews to abandon the
vessels OF the light fleet in order to
save them from the pain of having
to surrender the vessels upon which,
only recently. they had taken part in
two victorious wars.
For about a month now the Greek
people have witnessed with legltim-
ate grief tho application Of foreign
control ever nearly the whole OF their
public service, their means Of COM
munication, their mails, their tel
egraph and telephone systems. The
Greek merchant feet sees its activity
curtalled by multiple visits and re-
strictious OF every sort
For q long time Greece has not
been able TO import from abroad
that which has been absolutely in
disDensible for its nourishment, or
the necessaries for light ana for mo-
tive power for its commerce on land
as well as on sea.