The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-07

To The News Scimitar:
Almost one century ago the Greeks
were submerged in the darkness OF
Turkish domination, Europe was In
the thralls of ~despotism. No enslaved
races were allowed 10 rise and regain
their lost liberties.
The first blow to the divine right
of kings, and to the holy rights of the
large nations over the small ones, VAS
given by the new wQrld, in IT'S. The
echo of that rebellion against the auto
crat, George V, set the atmosphere Of
Europe into motion. The French caught
the spirit of rebellion. The French Rev
olution kindled Europe.
There was a reaction. The holy alll-
ance set itself against the irresistible
tide Of the characterization Of Europe,
1t was the Greek race which gave
the initial and deadly blow to the re-
dictionary policies Of the holy alliance,
In 1921, the Greek bishop, Germanos,
unfurled the Greek flag in P%eloponne-
sus. His d~owntrodden compatriot5
rose and swept the forces of the Otto
maj empire, Colocotrones cleared Pei
o%ponnesus; Canaris and Miaoulis cleared
the Aegean sea of the mighty Turkish
armada; Bozarris spread terror among
the Turks in Central Greece, and Cara
iscakis swept the Moslem troops from
Acarnania to the sea OF Salamis.
II q u III 1lS Ing blaNCI9f llC
Sc lf-sacrifice, and the dexterity Of the
Greeks reused Lord Byron; filled Dan
il Webster with admiration; inspired
Fitz-Green Halleck, of Connecticut, to
write that masterpiece, "Marco-Boz-
~zaris;'' touched the heart Of President
Monroe to be the first to acknowledge
the independence Of the Greeks, and
| attracted DR.. Howe, of Boston, across
the ocean.
A more sangulnary, a more perilous, a
more determined revolution had not
been fought. Eight years Of carnage,
of devastation, of terrorism and of
brutal suppression did not subdue the
uncomfortable spirit OF the Greeks,
Liberty or Death" was their watch
woodland they won. They brought TO
its knees the mightiest empire Of Eu-
rope and Asia.
in 1929 Greece was made free. But
what a travesty Of Justice! The Chris
tian powers of Europe allowed only one
eighth of the Greek nation to become
free, For nearly 100 years the Greeks
of Eplrus, of Macedonia, Of Thrace, Of
Constantinople, of Asia Minor, and Of
the islands had to suffer at the hands
of the ruthless Turks. But there was
hope. There was hope that the Turks
would disappear some day; that some
\ cay Europe would abandon its imperial
| istic designs; that the freedom Of the
| EItldl lldlIOIlS WOhll W w Y
bartered for economic interests.
In 1912, thanks to Mr.. Venizelos, and
despite Europe, nearly $500, 900 Greeks
were rescued from the abominable
Turkish slavery. Again America in
tervened at the right hour. The two
American battleshlps, Mississippi and
Idaho, saved Greece from a naval dis
aster at the hand of the numerically
superior Turkish fleet.
It Is strange that again America
should be destined to decide upon the
fate OF the rest Of the enslaved Greek
race of Northern Epirus, Thrade, Asia
Minor, and the Aegean islands. And
Hellenism, both in Greece and in Amer
lea, has its hope in America. HELEN
ism can look with faith across tie
ocean and await with tranquility the
fair decisions of the American dele
gates.
The Greeks have not failed the allied
world in the great struggle. They
fought despotism at home and autoC-
racy abroad. The Macedonian campaign
would not have been won so soon with
out the weight OF 400, 900 Greek bay
onets. And in America $1,000 Greeks
helped the flag of glory to sweep tri-
umphantly over the Rhine
1t Is a great anniversary for HELEN
ism, and America may well be proud
Of her contributions to make the Greek
race free.
CHAS. APOSTOLOS,
President of the Greek Community.