The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-06-13
KING OF GREECE.
QUITS THRONE;
SON new RULER
Pr0-German Stand Cost Him
CroWn-2eign Began on
March 18, 1913.
FRENCH TROOPS IN ATHENS
People Opposed Friendship for Teu-
tons and venizeIos Lead Revolt
Against Him - Cabinet Re-
signed When Monarch Re-
fused to Fight on Side
of Allies.

of Allies.
Athens, June 13.-King Constantine
has abdicated in favor of his second
son, Prince Alexander. His abdica-
ton was the result of a demand made
by the entente allies.
Premier Zaimis made the announce
ment of the resignation and designa-
ton of his successor. He, said also
that Constantine and Crown Prince
George would leave the country.
May Go to Switzerland.
Constantine has expressed the in
tentiOn of embarking on British
warship and proceeding to Switzer-
land by way of Italy. Allied troops
have occupied Elassona without re-
sistance. There has been no disorders
in Athens up to the present.
Demands King Abdicate.
M. Jonnart was selected to proceed
to Athens to lay before the premier
the aims which France, Great Britain
and Russia had with respect to es-
tablishing unity Of feeling among the
entente forces engaged in operations
in the East.
M. Jonnart called upon Premier
Zaimis Monday morning and de-
manded in the name Of the protecting
powers the abdfcation of King Goa
stantine and the nomination of his
successor to the exclusion of the
dialogue (crown prince)..
M. Zaimis pointed out to NJ Jonnart
that decision could only be taken by
the king after meeting of the crown
council, composed of former premiers.
Letter From Premier.
1t was not until 9 80 o'clock yester-
day morning that the premier COM
municated to the commissioner of the
allied powers the kings answer in the
following letter:
"The minister and high commission
er of France, Great Britain and Rus
sia: Having demanded by your note
of yesterday the abdication of his
majesty King Constantine, and the
nomination of his successor, the under
signed, premier and foreign minister
has the honor to inform your excel
lency that his majesty the king, ever
solicitOus for the interests of Greece
has decided to leave the country with
the prince royal, and nominates Prince
Alexander as his successor.
(Signed) 'ZAIMIS."
Gather About King.
On Monday night 1000 reservists
formed a Gordon around the palace in
the kings defense, If that should be
necessary, and a delegation headed
by Naval Commander MavromichaeIis,
was received by Constantine and
pledged the devotion of the army and
the people in his cause
The kings only reply was an appeal
that they should remain calm.
All efforts of agitators to start
manifestation failed, and the army
officers announced their intention to
obey the order of the government to
take no part in any demonstrations
and to maintain peace
There were no disorders and every
thing leads to the belief that there
will be none.
Alexander, the new king was born
August 1, 1893. He is captain in the
First regiment of artillery in the
Greek army.
Career of Constantine.
King Constantine's abdication is the
elimination of his quarrel with the
entente allies, which stretches back
to Turkeys entrance into the great
war, and is perhaps the last political
act of royal career marked by a Sc
ries of ups and downs.
Constantine is believed to be strong
ly pro-German. He was educated by
Prussian princess, sister of
Kaiser Wilhelm. His encourage is
largely prO-German, many of the
army officers having been trained in
the Teutonic empire.
Constantine's people are, however,
divided. portion, prompted per-
maps by loyalty to the crown, have
supported the king In his efforts to
keep the nation out of the war, or at
least not to participate in the conflict
on the side of the entente.
Venizeios' Following.
A strong party, however, led by the
statesman Venizelos, is not only pro-
war but pro-ally.
Effort after effort was made by the
entente and the Veniselists to force
Constantine to draw his sword
against the central powers, especially
since the entente troops landed at