Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-17

utterly impossible to accomplish this
feat on sea alone. and the entente pleas
to King Constantine to furnish an army
to cooperate with the fleet were re-
newed.
The king. declaring that this action
would leave Greece open to attack from
Bulgaria. refused. protesting neutrality.
King Constantine, Undoubtedly well ac-
quainted with German military power
and already having seen lesser nations
ground w before the German military
machine, was loathe to do anything to OPP
pose his imperial brother-in-law. The
entente subsequently landed forces on the
Gallipoli peninsula. but this expedition
likewise met with disaster.
How best to strike double blow at Bull
sarians and Turks next became an issue.
and it later was de-
King Tries to cided to make some
Gu, move. King Con-
otraoole renee. stantine was APP
preached by entente diplomats with the
request that Grecian territory be used
as base for operations against the Bull
garans. Premier Venizelos, who had from
the time of the first entente offer stead
tasty espoused the cause of the allies,
declaring that it was to the best interests
of Greece to enter the war on the side
Of the entente. still claims that the king
sanctioned the use of Salonik by the en-
tente for base of operations. The king
steadfastly denied this. charging viola
ton OF Grecian neutrality. Presumably
he attempted to carry water on both
shoulders by maintaining neutrality in the
interest of Germany at the same time
granting favors to the entente to avoid
mourning their wrath to great extent.
AT any rate the ma jority of the allied
troops operating against the Turks on
the Gallipol peninsula were transferred
to Saloniki. where the French and British
established great base for operations
through Macedonia. King Constantine re-
peatedly was approached in behalf of the
allies in order to shake his determination
to continue neutrality After numerous
minor clashes and disputes with entente
diplomats the feeling began to grow in
allied quarters that King Constantine was
not to be trusted Then uneasiness be-
came manifest as to the safety of the
allied armies at Salonik notwithstanding
their great force and equipment, because
with Bulgarians and Germans in front
there ever was danger Of attacks from
the rear on the part of the Greeks. On
several instances the entente brought
forcible pressure to bear on Constantine.
II was plainly evident that the king only
hoped that the Germans and Bulgarians
would finally strike the allies SO hard
that 1t would be safe for him to take up
the war against the entente. The allies
during the entire period of doubt brought
severe economic pressure to bear on Con-
stantine. particularly after it was de-
termined that he could not be trusted.
the ports OF the nation being blockaded.
One minor clash after another followed
between Eenizelos and the king, the
premier finally stepping down The
economic pressure OF the allies continued
severe and hunger became prevalent over
the entire Grecian nation. The king lost
supporters and EeniZelos gained them.
The royalist group grew less popular as
days progressed and when VeniZelos CO He'd
upon his followers for the formation of
an army and the setting up of a SEPARATE
provisional government thousands nocked
TO his standard. The entente governments,
still fearing King Constantine and pos
sible use of his army. demanded that the
royalist troops in northern Greece be
recalled and sent to the southern sections
of the nation. The king refused. but
finally was forced to give IN This move
ment has been slow and a big part Of the
Grecian army still remains to be moved.
though the danger now evidently is
passed The entente crippled severely the
Grecian military power. but notwithstand-
ing the fact Gen. Dousmanis. leader of
the o-German element surrounding King
Constantine formed a force of uno-gan-
lied royalist followers approaching so 900.
These were equipped with rifles and fully
ofiicercd. though the greatest secrecy
was maintained. 1t is believed that the
Greek king planned to strike the tanks of
terfering with the allies lines OF COM
munication.
II the entente powers are to wind up