The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-06-16
Pro-German Stand Cost Him
CroWn-Reign Began on
March 10, 1918.
FRENCH TROOPS IN ATHENS
People Opposed Friendship for Teu-
tons and venlzelos Lead Revolt
Against Him - Cabinet Re-
signed When Monarch Re-
fused to Fight on Side
of Allies.

has abdicated In favor Of his second
son, Prince Alexander. His abdica-
ton was the result Of demand made
by the entente allies.
Alexander, the new king, was born
August 1, 1893. He is captain in the
First regiment Of artillery in the
Greek army.
Premier Zaimis made the announce
ment of the resignation and designa-
ton of his successor. He said also
that Constantine and Grown 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
Greeks and gsater security for the
entente forces engaged IN operations
ass
NJ. Jonnart called upon Premier
ZaImis Monday morning and de-
manded In the name Of the protecting
powers the abdication Of King Con
stantine and the nomination of his
successor to the exclusion of the
dialogue (crown prince.
NJ Zaimis pointed out to M. Jonnart
that decision could only be taken by
the king after a meeting of the crown
+, council, composed of former premiers.
Letter From Premier.
It was not until 8 80 o'clock yester-
day morning that the premier COM
municated to the commissioner Of the
allied pows>s the kings answer in the
following letter.
1.-THE minister and high commission
! er Of France, Great Britain and Rus
sia: Having demanded by your note
of yesterday the abdlcation 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 dominates Prince
Alexander as his successor.
| (Signed) "ZA1MlS."
. 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 d royal career marked by a Sc
ries of ups and downs.
Constantine is believed to be strong
ly pro-German. He was educated by
German tutors at Leipzig and married
n Prussian princess, sister OF
Kaiser Wilhelm. His encourage IL
largely pro-German, many of the
army officers having been trained In
the Teutonic empire.
Venizelos' 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 Venizelists to force
Constantine to draw his sword
against the central powers, especially
since the entente troops landed al
Salotfki, 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 breal
into revolt and his army locked up II
the Peloponnesus.
| Due to U. s. War Act.
Washington, June 14.-What may be
| the first step toward the establishment
of Grecian republic Is found here II
the abdication Of King Constantine O.
the Hellenic kingdom in favor Of hi
second son, Alexander.
There is not the slightest doub
that Constantine's retirement was tn
direct result of the entrance Of tn
United States into the European wal
This was the only country to whicl
he could look for support against tn
/ alias for he WAS Sanarafa6 frnr