Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-06
GREECE CELEBRATES
HER INDEPENDENCE
Throwing Off Turkish Yoke 100
Years Ago, is Now Fighting
Battles Again.


Tooth anniversary OF her independence. |
while her armies advance in Asia Minor |
to put tho Turk behind those frontiers |
whence he invaded Europe Ave hundred |
years ago.
America was not yet on the map when |
the Hellenick Empire of Consatntnopie
fell on that ill-fated day of May 20.
1853. The Greek struggle for national
independence had begun since that
time. and had found its best expression
in tho great revolution of 1921 10 1927
which eliminated I'm the establishment
OF tho Greek state
Fifteen generations OF Greeks felt
during five long centuries tho oppres-
sion, tho harbarism and the atrocities of
the most backward race that ever took
possession of the most classic land of
Europe. That this nation was not er-
tinguished undor the Turk during those
terrible years when Greek boys were
snatched away from their homes to swell
the hosts OF tho Janissarfes. while Greek
maidens wore sold TO slavery in the
public markets and when the life of a
Christian was worth less than that Of n
dog. is one OF tho wonders OF human
history: but that tho Greek nation has
succeeded. not only In preserving it's
language and traditions and culture and
religion, but is overthrowing the yoke OF
tho barbarian, is one of the marvels of
national vitality which no other people
has aver shown, or will ever be able TO
show
Today, almost nve hundred years after
the fall Of Constantinople and a hundred
years from the Hellenic revolution of
1921, tho victorious Greek armies ARE
battling beyond the old capital OF Eski
Shchir and beyond tho Black Fortress
OF Karn Hissar. while from the Gulf of
ancient NiComedia renamed lHmid by
the turks, TO the shores OF tho Black
sea- and oil along the Chatalja line.
Greek soldiers. assisted by Greek war
ships. aurround tho Holy City OF Con-
stantinople. where tho heart Of the
Turkish government has almost ceased
To beat
Removed ia from Etemboui the last
vestige OF Turkish power, and II there
f. still a Sultan and a Turkish guard In
Constantinople. their prestige is non
existent and their authority dead.
Christian Europe. civilized Europe was
late in fulfilling It's duty to Christen-
dom and civilization. but finally sho did.
and tho overthrow OF Turkish Power I'm
Europe will stand forever as one of the
highest accomplishments Of the Last war.
America has so generously contributed.
The Ottoman Empire lays proEtrato:
Arabia ta an independent Kingdom;
Palestine II free: Mesopotamia no long
or pays tribute 20 Constanunople: Syria
ia an autonomous state. Thrace and tho
Aegean Islands, Macedonia and Epirus
have rcioined their Crock motherland.
even Albania IS forming an independent
state There Is left Armenia still bleed
ing under tho Turkish scimitnr. and
never 10 be free unless Turkey is def
nttely eliminated from Constanunoplo
and reduced 10 the status OF a small
state whose rule will be Confined 10
Turks alone.
Tho Greek armies. fighting in the in
terror Of Asia Minor. are still hghting
the battles OF civilization against tho
hordes OF barbarous Asia They go for
ward. fully convinced that a race which
has remained IN the most beautiful
spot OF Eastern Europe for nve cen
turies. continuously destroying all that
IS best IN civilization, without the ca
pactiy OF producing either culture or
art. or beauty. is not a race AZ 20 gov
ern much more superior peoples. That
was the issue at Thermopylae and
Salnmis between Athens and Persia.
and that is the issue today between
Greece and the Turks
II Is thanks 10 the Greek valor at
Marathon Vhat Europe WAS not sub
merged under the waves OF Asiatic bar
harisrn; IL IS thanks 10 the millennial
struggles Of the Byzantine Empire
against Turk and Saracen. that Europe
was saved from submission 20 the In
vaders OF the East.
And II is TO the valor of tho Greek
troops fighting today in Asia Minor.
that the final liquidation OF the Ottoman
Empire is being accomplished under our
eyes
The Turk has fallen, and Greece is
back IN her old colonies. In the cities
built by Greeks, in the fields developed
by the Greeks. IN the temples and
churches that marked thee advance of
the race under both It's pagan and
Christian civilization.
For one thousand years Constand-
nople. as the center OF the Greek By
zantie Empire, has served Europe and
upheld the banner OF the Western cul-
ture against the Barbarians of East and
North For fiVe hundred years the
Turk remained in Constantinople and
the Near East. as butchering. demor-
salizing, grating, incompetent. reac-
tionary and unciviized intruder, a
foreigner to the civilization or Europe.
and an enemy of liberty and progress.
Now his turn TO go has come, and the
Greek army is accomplishing the job.
But between the victories of the Greek
army and nation and the utter elimina-
tion OF the Turk from all power IN the
Near East. stands the diplomacy of
Europe and the selfishness of a few
politicians. who are Jealous OF the
Hellenic triumDhs
It is time for American enlightened
and liberal opinion. to raise first the
voice Of justice for this valorous people,
whose armies fight since the dawn OF
history the battles Of our own civillza-
ton.
For FIVE long centuries the Turk has
remained in Europe only 10 spread dis
content and terrorism and misery. He
had a long chance 10 make good and
he did not. Greece now comes forward
ard asks for chance TO once more de-
velop her old national homestead
Shall this chance, which was afforded
the unspeakable Turk be denied to
Heuas?
1t is up to American opinion TO say
the word 1t Is UP TO us TO repeat the
familiar American slogan: Put the
Turk out of Europe forever Let
Greece have Constantinople.