Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-12-14

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department today that the allied block
8 O'clock.
The situation in Greece is not only
again of decided political interest. but
potentially of marked military import,
In connection with the supposed pur-
pose of the central powers to, turn i'm
portant sections of Field Marshal Won
M~ackensen's huge army in Rumania,
upon the entente's Sal0niki army.
Correspondents in Greece report a
persistently hostile attitude by King
Constantine and the Greek royalists
toward the entente and declare efforts
are being made to gather a strong army
in the Larisha region for an attack up
on the entente forces from the rear
simultaneously with attacks OF the
Teutonic allies from h north.
British military writer's call attention
to these contingencies n decisive ac-
ton with regard to Greece is urged in
the interest of sound strategy and the
safety Of the entente forces in Mace
donia.
It was reported yesterday that the
central powers had pledged Greece the
support Of ne Austro-G German military
forces in opening land communications
il h decided to enter The war against
the entente.
Defend Allies Course.
London, Dec. 9.-The following state
ment. on the Greek situation which is
authorized by viscount Grey. British
secretary for foreign affairs, has been
landed to the Associated Press:
1T sometimes has been said by critics
in neutral countries that our presence
in Greece does o differ apparently
from the presence Of the Germans in
Belgium. 1t is meant to suggest that
the landing of our troops at Saloniki
q no more be defended from a juris-
tic point of view than the German In
The form in which the protesting
powers-GIeat Britain, France and
Russia-guara1iteed the kingdom Of
Greece is less well known to neutral
and to some extent wrapped UT in the
technicalities Of diplomatic language.
Guarantors Of Monarchy.
"On July 10. 1863, q treaty was signed
containing the following as its third
article:
" Greece. under the sovereignty Of
Prince William of Denmark, and the
guarantor of the three courts, forms a
monarchial Independent constitutional
state
The first article of the treaty pro-
yides that Greek sovereignty should be
! hereditary, that Prince William after
ward was known as King George. His
| descendants are on precisely the same
| terms in this respect. 1t is the duty of
the protecting powers to ensure that
| the Greek state should retain the three
| characteristics mentioned in the third
article and the means by which they
must do SO i'm a last resort are indicated
in an u~nrepealed article IN the protocol
treaty OF February /, 1880. to the effect
that no troops belonging to one of the
contracting powers shall be allowed to
enter the territory of the new Greek
state without the consent Of the two
other courts who signed the treaty.
Fiay the King.
"The unconstitutional behavior of
King Constantine, his refusal to abide
by the terms OF the Greek treaty with
Serbia and the flouting of the decisions
majority, hardly admit OF denial even
by the Germans, WHO content hem
selves with saying hat he acted for
what he believed to be the best inter
ests OF his country. As Great Britain,
France n Russia have acted uni
formly together, h whole matter Of
landing troops to neutralize the kings
unconstitutional action was both their
right and their duty.
objection may possibly be brought
THAT the arguments up to this point
rest on technicalities. in old treaties,
I'M in order to Justify our action. at
any rate. morally. we will show that
we are not acting against the wishes
Of the Greek people. To this may be
replied without the possibility of con-
loniki with the express approval OF the
then head OF the Greek government.
and that he had suggested the stipu-
lation in the Greeco-Serbian treaty
for a provision by which the Serbian
government needs could, in view OF
the default of Greece on his point, be
fulfilled by the dispatch into Greek ter
ritory of an equivalent force by Great
Britain and France.
Surrendered Fort.
Nothing that has happened since
the landing at Saloniki an, of couroe,
affect the legal position OF the allies
in sending troops there; but proofs
constitutional policy OF the king and
OF the Skouloudis ministry, which ex-
listed simply to carry out his policy.
When NJ. Skouloudis was tasked by
some Of his deceived colleagues with
the surrender of Fort Rupel, he showed
them a decision from the German min-
lister guaranteeing that the fort would
be returned to Greece later on; and
this document was dated three days
before it's surrender. proving that there
was no question or seizure n fOrclble
occupation"
Ambassador Sharp forwarded q copy
OF the blockade notice which says that
France, being. in agreement with its al
lies to declare the blockade sets forth
the conditions under which It Will be
active.
Beginning Decenaber 8 at ga. M. the
notice say the blockade will be e.
fective on the coasts OF Greece from d
point off the Island of Cerfu point
In the Gulf Of Saloniki. on the alam-
bria river as we'll as TO stands actually
the Greek authorities. Ships Of thin
movers In the Observation-Disclosures mav