Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-06-16
GREEKS MAY DELAY
DRIVE ON TURKS FOR
WEEK, KING SAYS
Constantine Doesn't Care About
Allied Recognition After Long
Period Of Humiliation.
WANTS PAY INCREASED


by Associated Press to Every Evening
smyrna. June Ie.--It is improbable
that the Greek offensive aKainst the
Turkish Nationalists viii be started
for several weeks. King Constantine
declared TO The Associated Press YETI
terday. lie said he would not go 10
the front before July Q and that he did
not expect TO return to Athens until
August.
The Greek army now numbers 200
900 fighting men in Anatolia and II
has 100 900 reserves. The Nationalists
IL rs estimated. have less than f00, 900
Constantine does not find life Tn
Smyrna very cheerful. He complain
ed during his conversation with the
correspondent, the presence Of bed
bugs and lamented the fact that he
could not go bathing because Of the
curiosity of the people here. He said
| Smyrna Bay reminded him too much
of Liicerne, where he was an exile.
| He plays bridge when in need of
cheer.
II do not understand the American n
game OF poker" the King remarked
II once played, but I didn't know tha
value OF the cards / held. and mad 70
bluff my way through, but / won"
Constantine received the cofrespon-
dent on the veranda Of his simple
terra Gotta house. overlooking the bay,
and in the course Of a half hour !
conversation discussed everything
from religion and superstition to the
high cost Of living and the beauty OF
Turkish women. In front Of the
house at the time, several hundred
persons had gathered to catch ,
glimpse Of the first king to come 10
smyrna since the days Of the Ryzan-
tine emperors
Before the correspondent had =
chance 10 ask any questions. Constan-
tine inquired II he had been able ~
find suitable quarters in Smyrna
We are forced to put up with some
pretty bad conditions here" he saId
smyrna has not the comforts "a
| Athens. VI Theotokos. my rpfnfstsy
OF war. was almost carried on nv )
plague Of bed bugs last night and hs
became 50 desperate that this rnorn.
| ing ne went into Smyrna and houeb,
new bed and a Mattress
The king continuing the interview
sa1d ne d'd not wish TO boast or fore
cast events. yet he felt convinced. F,e
declared, that the Greek army. with
us morale and spirit in a hsrf stafe
Mas now able 20 crush the Turkish
nationalist forces under Mustapha
Renal Pasha and was eager for ths
opportunity TO take the aeid.
Ine Greek army. the king declared
was not receiving any assista nee
from the British government Al
lnat the British had done. he said
was 70 approve certain requiSitions
Tor limited quantity Of nlunittons
/ from private firms.
i While the king was talking. !
ooatioad OF Greeks landed at the ME,
nearby and paid homage to the king
Long live our father and kine,p y,s
| the cry that went up. Consta ntine a..
knowledged the situations bv ris;ne
and. bowling. Then turning 10 The cor
/ respondent he said:
1t doesn't look as though "a a.
t aicate. does it?''
The king asked to be excused T-o,r
discussing politics.
Now that I arm away from Athens
want 10 forget the cares and worries
Q; State ne said. Don't ask mo ah.,,,,
American or foreign recognition ha.
cause do not care two cents about II
We been Inundated enough by IN,
Aiiied governments. Let them do 4.
they please
me KING said he was sure the C,reah
parliament would pass the bin giving
MIN eight billion drachmas in mas
ahoWances and increasing the civil
iist to three million drachmas annn.
ally 'a''' :
l can certainly use the money" he
added laughingly. for life is very ey.
pensive these days. now nav NJ,
servants four hundred drachnas
month, while formerly they got onl,
eighty. Besides. three hundred fhop-
50 nd draehmas of the money 1 hons
TO get viii be given to my brothers. "