The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-17
YENIZELOS TELLS
CLAIMS TO WILSON
Greek Premier Has Long Talk
With President on Peace
Plans.
CALLS THRACE HELLENIC
Wants Bulgaria Forced Back
and Barred From the
Egcan Sea.
CALLS THRACE HELLENIC
By tho Associated Press.

PARIS, Jan. 15.--President Wilson re-
ceived Premier venizelos. Greek Premier,
and I.ambros A. Coromilas. Greek Min
lister TO italy to-day. During long
conversation the Greek Premier pre-
scented arguments in support OF Hellenic
claims in the war settlement which ".
Venizelos said were based on the princi-
piles laid down BY the President himself.
1t was recalled by the Premier that at
the beginning OF the war the Entente
Powers demanded that Greece occupy
northern Epirus. with the understanding
that IL at the end OF the war the occu-
patton of Avlona by Italy was confirmed
the occupation OF northern Epirus by
Greece should become definite. There
was also an additional understanding, 1t
was said that the limit OF ltaly's oceu-
patton south OF Avona should not ex-
coed the limits OF northern Epirus.
Says BuIgars Admit Claims.
Regarding Thrace, NJ renizelos sa i'd
that its Hellenic character was fully ad-
mitted. even by the Bulgarians. We said
this was demonstrated in 1919 when
Greece and Bulgaria collaborated
against the programme Of the Commit
tee OF Union and Progress in Turkey.
Under that agreement ii was pointed
out, the interests OF Greece in Thrsce
were fixed as six times those OF Bulgaria.
An extension OF the Greek frontier In
Thrace. NJ. Venixelos said. would involve
withdrawal of Bulgaria, from the
.Egean Sea. which she reached by viz
tue Of the treaty OF Bucharest after the
Balkan war. He added that Bulgaria
already is established on the Black Sea.
which, owing to the guaranteed freedom
OF the Dardanelles. becomes open and
free.
Besides, the Greek Premier added.
Bulgaria is prominently continental
State Her defence. he said does not
call for naval strength. while II she re-
talns her -Egean coast she might
utilize Il FOR establishing a submarine
base. which would enable her TO ups,t
for her own benefit the equilibrium OF
force between herself and Greece.
NJ. VeniEelos expressed the opinion
/ that il was Impossible to refuse to al
low more than 100000 Greeks living
, In Asia Minor and the islands near that
coast TO Join their mother country. He
pointed out that those Greeks for thirty
centuries have "uninterruptedly held in
Asia Minor and the islani a predom-
nant situation which is manifested in
the economic civllizing supremacy of
the Hellenic element there
100000 Massacred in Year.
He does not believe the peace congress
can intrust the fate OF the Christian
population OF the Ottoman Empire to the
Turks. who. he says. always have an
swered the pressure OF the Powers for
reforms in favor OF Christians, by mas
| sacreing them Wholesale
During the last year OF the war alone,
the Premier added. 10000 Armenians
and 800 900 Greeks were exterm!nated.
In calculating the strength OF the Greek
population In Turkey the Premier said It
must he remembered that during the
last four years $4,000 Greeks have
been expelled by the Turkish Govern
ment, while several hundred thousand
more had been deported from the coast
districts to the interior. where a
greater part had lost their lives.
Greece. Premier Venizelos said. was
ready. TO accept the contention that
smyrna should be used for import and
export trade to and from Turkey. East
OF the western portion Of Asia Minor.
which is proposed 10 be annexed to
Greece no added. there rs Greek pop
ulaton Of almost 100000. which. he
hopes, will be partly included in the in
ternational State centred on CONSTANT
nople and the other part in the new Ar
menian State.