Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-05
REVIEW OF REIGN
OF CONSTANTINE

George I. was assassinated in Saloniki.
Brief as the reign was. Constantine
had enjoyed period of remarkable
popularity and increased the territory
of the Greek monarchy by over fifty
per cent.
Born on August 8, 1868, he was edu.
Gated largely by private tutors from
Leipsic, which was said to have
stamped upon him a permanent Ger
man influence. His military educa-
ton was furthered ny attendance a.
manoevures in Germany. He became
brother in law of the German EN-
peror by marrying the latter's sister,
Princess Sophia, in 1889.
His alleged pro- German leaninss,
thus indicated, were not always popu.
lar with his people. and during the
European war a strong party an
tagonistic to his desire to have Greece
preserve neutrality and in favor of
joining the Allies. precipitated a cabi-
net crisis which was weathered WITH
difficulty.
The most interesting chapter of
ConStantine's life is the way in which
he became the peoples idol. Like his
father, he had his ups and downs in
favor. the Greeks having been quick
changing in their likes and dislikes.
In 1896 when he saw his country drift
ing into war with Turkey, he sounded
a warning that the Greek army. was
utterly unprepared for campaign.
The infantry was armed with con-
demned French rifles which had cost
s. each; the cartridges were Is years
al Hilary
was obsolete. and its officers few.
Nevertheless. the country decided upon
war. The result was dsastrous--a
humiliating defeat for Greece. I'M
mediately the popular tide turned
against its rulers. whom it denounced
as foreigners who could have little In
common Win the Greeks. The King
and Queen We're booted in the streets.
and the officers turned their backs
upon the Crown Prince.
A similar spirit was reused against
the royal house when, in 1909, King
George tried to oppose the popular
clamor for the annexation of Crete.
knowing that Turkey was eagerly
awaiting such an excuse to bring
second crushing defeat upon Greece.
This time the clamor almost became
revolt. and the King was obliged to
WELD to the demand of the military
league, both for ganization of the
army and for the dismissal OF the
Crown Prince as Generalissimo He
thereupon decided to accept COM
mand in the Russian army. but the
opposition to him was smoothed out
and he was restored to his former dig
mites.
He finally became a national hero in
the Balkan war of 1912. when he led
an army Of 10000 Greeks TO the cap
ture of Saloniki, causing 10000 Turks to
lay down their arms. His popularity
was such, as a result of this feat, that
Greeks in America raised several thou
sand dollars with which to purchase
gift sword, inscribed: ITO Constantine.
the Liberator."
When Constantine came to the
throne it was said he aimed to restore
the former grandeur of the ancient
Hellenic Empire, and that he was 4
believer in the old national prophecy
that under the reign Of Constantine
and a Sophia the Eastern Empire
would be called into life again and the
cross restored on ST. Sophia at Con-
stantinpole in place Of the crescent.
BY the peace treaties signed after
the Balkan wars. Greece added a con-
siderable stretch Of Turkish territory
to her domain and in December. 1913,
the long desired annexation of the
Islands of Crete was carried out, King
Constantine himself hosting the Hell
lenic flag over the fort.
With the entrance Of Turkey into the
European war the question of the in
PREVENTION Of Greece soon became to be
seriously considered but King Con-
stantine insisted upon strict neutral
ity. The Cabinet, headed by Premier
Venizelos, which was for war on the
side of the Allies, finally rendered it's
resignation. The Greek attitude, at
least so far as the war party was con-
cerned. was largely to the effect that
if Greece had no hand in the war, her
interests might suffer when peace was
arranged.
The Athens correspondent Of the
London Morning Post on March %.
1915, attempted to explain the situation
in a letter in which he said that in
the second month of the war the Greek
fiefiileT Tdu intlIHdteu 10 lHe
Powers that Greece Would join their
cause actively if the necessity should
arise. and with the commencement of
the operations against the Dardanelles
the government believed the time had
come for Greece to abandon her neu-
trality. The King however. refused
to countenance this plan. 1t was ar
gued that sending forces to the OAR
danelles would dangerously weaken
Greeces defense on the Bulgarian
frontier, and since Greece had received
no formal invitation from the Triple
EnteINe her entrance into the war
would be undertaken without any
guarantee from the powers as TO the
Greek position on the mainland.
The Kings refusal to consent to the
war policy" said the Post correspon
cent, was undoubtedly actuated in all
good faith by patriotic consideration
Of the military difficulties. Unfortu-
nate1y, his encourage is known to hold
strong pro- German sentiment. The
principal officers of the General staff
are pupils of the Berlin Kriegsakade-
ME. and are firmly convinced that
Germany must ultimately win this war.
This. and not fear Of Bulgaria is the
real reason of their opposition to
Greece's participation in the operations