Middletown transcript., 1917-06-23
NEWS review OF
The PAST WEEK
King Constantine of Greece Is
Compelled to Abdieate by
the Allies.
SECOND SON SUCCEEDS HIM
Liberty Loan Of Two Billions Over
Subscribed by People Of United
States-Hope for Russia Re-
vives-President Wilson's
Great Flag Day Address.
BY EDWARD w. PIckARD.


Another ruler was pushed off his
throne last week, and another nation
probably added to those in active con.
fict with the central powers. This
time it is Constantine !, king of the
Hellenes, who has lost his crown. At
ter diplomatic intriguing and open
quarrels that had been going on ever
since the war started, he was forced
by the allies to abdicate, and his eld-
est son, the crown prince, was barred
from the succession because of his pro-
German proclivities. Constantine,
however, was allowed to preserve his
dynasty, at least for the present, by
nominating his second son, Alexander,
as his successor.
The abdication of the king was
brought about by Senator Jonnart of
France, who went to Greece empow-
cred by the allies to settle finally the
position of that country in the war
He informed Premier Zaimis that
troops were at his disposal to carry
out his decisions, but appealed to the
premier to use his influence toward a
peaceful arrangement. After consult
ing the crown council, the king decid-
ed to quit, and his abdication was an
nounced on Tuesday morning. Both
Constantine and the former crown
prince have left Greece already.
May Mean Much to Allies.
If Greece now decides to participate
actively in the war, she can throw into
the field an army Of 100000 men. well
trained but not sufficiently equipped.
Venizelos, the former premier and
consistent opponent of Constantine's
war policy, has back of him 100000
men, and though the army in general
was loyal to the eX-king, it is predicted.
the entire fighting force of the nation
will now take up arms against the
Teutonic powers and Turkey. This
might bring about decided change in
the Balkan situation. With the Greeks
acting with the allies from the south
and the recognized Roumanian army
and possibly the Russians striking
from the north, the line of communi-
cations between Germany and Turkey
might well be cut and the Turks forced
to sue for peace.
Alexander, the new king Of Greece,
who is twenty-fOur years old, took the
oath Oh Wednesday. Il is reasonable
to suppose he will act in accord with
the allies, for he has kept free from all
pro-German activities and seems to be
acceptable to M. JOnnart. In fact, he
cannot do much otherwise, for the en-
tente forces promptly seized control
of all of Greece. Professedly, their
aim is the restoration of the constitu-
tional government of that country. 1t
was stated semiofiicially in Washington
that the United States had not taken
any part in the deposing of Constan
tine and had not been consulted by the
entente powers. This emphasizes the
fact that we are allies of those powers
in war, but not necessarily in diplo-
macy.
The purpose of the allies was not &C.
complished entirely without bloodshed.
A Greek colonel at Larissa fired on
French cavalry, killing two officers
and four privates. In the brief fight
that ensued 60 Greek soldiers were
killed and 800, including 81 officers,
were taken prisoner.
Liberty Loan Great Success.
Americas reply to the sneering as
sertions Of Germany that the war is
Wilson's war and is not supported by
the people Of the United States came
with loud sound when the books on
the Liberty Loan were closed Friday |
noon. 1t was announced that the loan |
of $2,OO0OO0,0OO had been handsomely |
and the significant |
fact is that it has been taken up main.