Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1921-04-20
THE STRUGGLE .BETWIXT ENG. &
IE GREEK AND TURK

Mr.. John Floros, one Of the propri-
etors oftthe New Savoy Cafe, requests
The Tribune to reprint the following
article from one of the Greek-Ameri-
can newspapers of New York City.
It makes clear the significance Of the
struggle now on. in the near East:
''This is the month when Greece cele-
brates the One Hundredth anniversary
Of her Independence.
America was not yet on the map when
the Hellenic Empire of Constantlnople
fell on that i'll fated day of May 29th,
1453. The Greek struggle for national
independence had beg un since that time,
and found it's best expression in the
great revolution of 1921 to 1927, Whlch
eliminated in the establishment OF the
Greek state. ,
Fifteen generations Of Greeks felt
during five long centuries the oppres-
sion the barbarism and the atrocities
of the most backward race that ever
took possession of the most classic lana
of Europe That this nation was not
extihguished under the Turk during
those terrible years. when Greek boys
were snatched away from their homes
to swell the hosts OF the Janlssarles,
while Greek maidens were sold to slaV-
cry in the public markets, and when the
life of a Christian was worth less than
that of dog, is one Of the wonders OF
human history: but that the Greek ma
ton has succeeded, not only in preserv-
ing it's language and traditions and
culture and religion, but in overthrow
ing the yoke of the barbarian. is one Of
the marvels of national vitality which
no other people has ever shown, or will
ever be able to show.
To-day, almost FIVE hundred years
after the fall of Constantinople and a
luton Of 1921. the Greek armies are
battling beyond the old capital of Eski
Shehir and beyond the Black Fortress Of
Kara issar, while from the Gulf OF an
Turks, to the shores: Of the Black Sea,
and all along the Chatalja line Greek
soldiers, assisted by Greek WarShips,
surround the Holy City Of Constantine
pie where the heart of the Turkish Gov
eminent has almost ceased to beat
Removed is from STEAMBOAT the last
vestige Of Turkish power, and if there
still is a Sultan and a Turkish guard in
exstant and their authority dead. Chris
tian Europe, civilized Europe was late
in fulfilling it's duty to Christendom
and Civilization; but finally she did.
Europe will stand forever as one of the
highest accomplishments OF the last
war. for the victorious outcome of
which America has so generously con-
The Ottoman Enpire lay PROSTATE:
Arabia is an independent Kingdom;
Palestine is free; Mesopotamia no long
er pays tribute to Con*tantinoplc; Sy-
ria is an autonomous State; Thrace and
the Aegean Islands, Macedonia; and TIpi-
rus have rejOined their. Grec! Mother
| land, even Albania is forming indie
pendent state. There is left Armeni ia.
still bleeding under the Turkish scimi-
| tar, and never to be free unless Turkey
| is definitely eliminated from COnstan-
| tinople and reduced to the status Of a
small state whose rule will be confined
| to Turks alone.
'"rhe Greek armies fighting in the in
terror Of Asia Minor are still fighting
| the battles of civilization against the
| hordes Of barbarous Asia. They so for
ward fully convinced that q race which
| has remained in the most beautiful spot
| Of Eastern Europe for five centuries.
| continuously destroying all that is; best