New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-29
Greece Enters the War.

King Constantine, hndlng MS army "iiN
navy deserving him, many parts OF ms
kingdom refusing any longer to acKno"i-
edge his authority, his civil administration
collapsing and his throne lettering, has
agreed TO issue an ultimatum to Bulgaria
which cannot but lead to a declaration OF
war.
For Constantine it is pitiable hunllia-
ton. Self-willed beyond the wont OF rulers
in q limited monarchy, he has been trying
for more than a year past to hold his sub
iects to an impossible programme OF neu-
tralitv. He evaded his treaty obligations to
Serbia on a flimsy technicality. lie has
cverridden the constitution, defed public
sentiment and defed all considerations OF
reason and prudence-to say nothing OF
honor and national advantage-in the pur-
suit of a policy which in the end could only
lead to his own deposition and the ruin OF
Greece.
He has now pulled up just short of dep
osition. But his right-abOut-face has been
due in no way to an appreciation OF the
inter folly of his own craftsmanship. 1t
Is due TO an acute concern for his own
fortunes and safety. He is not leading the
Greek people into the war. They are drag
cling bim-still reluctant and unconvinced
into a struggle in which their own in
ierests and national aspirations have long
required them to participate.
Much can be said in defence Of Con-
stantine's refusal to allow Greece TO enter
the war at the time when the Inflated Oar
danclles expedition was planned. lie was
soldier enough to foresee that that eXpedl-
ton was likely to fail. The territorial COM
3ensations offered Greece then may not have
offset the risks of counter attack on the
part of the Teutonic powers and Turkey
possiblv aided by Bulgaria. So Constan'
tine broke with Venizelos, the master
mind Of the Greece of our time who saw
from, the beginning where Greece's inter
ct and opportunity lay and was willing to-
ta,c long risks at a moment when taking
them would establish the strongest possible
claims on the good will Of the Allies.
Constantine might also have been ex
cuscd in some measure for playing safe
when Bulgaria declared war on Serbia.
Greece was morally bound to go to Serbia's
sid Yet. as the event showed, his as
sistance might have failed to stand off the
Teutonic- Bulgarian invasion, and all north
ern Greece-including the great prize Of
Salonica-might have fallen to the con-
ouerors of Serbia, Montenegro and Al
bania.
But from the day the Allied forces had
established themselves solidly in the lines
north of Salonica Greece's course became
absolutely clear. She could not hope to
keep out of the war with any possible ad-
vantage TO herself. And each week of
delay only reduced the chances Of entering
with some show of conviction-of estab-
fishing that friendly understanding with
the Allies which was essential If any Of
the natural fruits Of a successful campaign
against Bulgaria and Turkey were to be
gathered.
When Bulgaria overran the Kavala re-
zion, seized Greek forts, killed Greek SOL
diers and took whole Greek division pris-
oners, and Constantine still held back In
the hope of appeasing the German En-
peror, his wife's brother, his policy of neu-
,rality reached the low water mark of con-
temptibleness and futility. 1t became intol-
cradle 70 every Greek who still remembered
the glories of the two Balkan wars, who was
still moved by a traditional hatred Of the
Bulgar and the Turk and who still cher
ished the national aspirations which had
been promoted with such signal success by
the broad-visioned craftsmanship Of Vent
zelos
Now Greece is in the war and the pro-
grammc Of Venizelos must displace the
programme Of Constantine. But it will
require all Venizeloss genius, all the high
qualities which he has heretofore displayed
as builder Of empire, all the prestige
which he has stored up with the Allies by
his courageous expression Of sympathy
with their aims, 10 wipe out the record Of
Constantine's folly. If he can repair the
Kings blunders and restore genuine con-
cert with the members of the Entente
leading TO q fair recognition Of Greek SER
vices after the war-he will have earned
once more the undying gratitude Of his
countrymen.
Greek military resources are sufficient
10 turn the scale in the Balkans hopelessly'
agains. the Teuto-Turk- Bulgarian ALI
ance. Greece has a population little
larger than Bulgarias. She can furnish
at once 100000 trained hrst-line soldiers
and can supply probably that many more
within a year. Tho Allied army north Of
Salonica numbers between 100000 and
100000 men. II can now be rapidly in
creased 70 between 100000 and 100000.
There are probably 10000 Rumanians and
Russians IN the Dobrudja, while bulgaria
.AaaLaA IA s,un frrnia has rrohahlr af hor