Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-06-13
Pro.German Stand Cost Him
Crown-Reign Began on
March 18, 1918.
FRENCH TROOPS IN ATHENS
People Opposed Friendship for Teu-
tons and VenizeIos Lead Revolt
Against Him - Cabinet Re.
signed When Monarch Re-
fuses to Fight on Side
Of Allies.

Athens, June 1S.-king Constantine
has abdicated in favor of his second
son, Prince Alexander. His abdica-
ton was the result of 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 a British
warship and proceeding to 'Switzer-
land by way of Italy. Allied troops
have occupied Elassona without re-
sistance. There ras been no disorders
in Athens up to the present.
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
to Turkeys entrance into the great
war, and is perhaps the last political
act of a royal career marked by Sc
ries fups and downs.
Constantine is believed to be strong
ly pro-German. He was educated by
German tutors at Leipsic and married
a Prussian princess, a 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. A portion, prompted per-
haps 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
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
SalOniki, tardily taking up operations
in the Balkans following the collapse
of the Gallipoli campaign. But en-
couraged by his queen and the Teu-
tonic league, he resisted onl yto see
his power wane, his subjects break
into revolt and his army locked up in
the Pelopannesus, where it could not
attack the entente. forces from the
rear, as it was suspected the German
ic court clique had planned to do, par
ticularly after the outbreak last year
Of the military against the entente ex-
petition occupying Athens.
Since then Constantine has been al
most helpless in his realm, entente
emissaries keeping sharp eyes, on his
every move, even going so far as to
take over the food distribution Of the
country. and finally comes his abdi-
cation.
Name Significant.
Constantine was born in Athens on
August 3, 1868, the name Constantine
being given him as an indication Of
the ambitions of the recently liber-
ated nation to extend it's sway to in
clude the capital Of the Turkish en-
pire, and succeeded his father, George
I, on the throne after his parents as
sassinatiOn ut SalOniki in 1913.
King George, Danish prince, had
been placed on the throne largely
through the instrumentality Of Great
Britain. He was brother Of dow
ager Queen Alexandra and married
Russian princess. Despite the Brit
fish and Russian influences at court,
however, Constantine was sent to
Germany to be educated. -
The new crown prince first came
into prominence at the time Of the
Greek war with Turkey In the late
nineties.
Greece Unprepared.
Constantine had tried to prevent
the conflict, knowing the Hellenic
army to be ill-prepared, but popular
clamor brought about the clash.
Greece was disastrously defeated.
and it was claimed that Constantine.
who was commander Of the land
forces, showed the white feather at |
the front.
However, he regained the national
favor in the Balkan troubles Of 1912,
when at the head of 10000 Greeks, he
captured SalOniki. which was de-
Tended by $4,000 Turks.
So great was the enthusiasm
aroused by this feat that Greeks in
America raised several thousand dol
lars, with which was purchased a gift
sword for the prince, inscribed, "To |
Constantine, the Liberator"
French Occupy Athens.
Paris, June 13.-French REINFORCE
ments have been landed in Greece, It
was officially announced. French mill
tary authorities have taken over con-
troll Of the food situation in Greece and |