Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-09-29
KING WAS CALM
JUST BEFORE He
CAVE UP THRONE
Constantine interviewed by
an Associated Press Man
a Few Hours Before He
Agreed to AbdiCate.

Press. liking COHSldHlllleI Oil tHS
eve of the great crisis confronting
him, received a representative OF
the Associated Press and made
known. his plans so far as they can
now be formulated.
King Constantine sat with the
queen and other members OF the
royal family grouped about him, In
the garden of the summer palace
at Taoti, just outside of Athens
The ladies were knitting, while the
crown prince stood apart, clearly
preoccupied, and talking with Of
ficers who brought in dispatches
disclosing the fast developing SIT
uation.
Reports of Reyolts. .
The kings prime minister hau
lust arrived, bringing from the cap
ital reports of revolts Throughout
the realm. The crisis seemed at
hand. But the king was calm anna
the tumult surging about him, ana
he told his story frankly, unhesl-
tatingly and at times with flashes
of wit and epigram. He was
dressed in a light gray suit and
might have been taken for any
modest citizen. He spoke rapidly,
in English, as he explained his
cause. -.
.CThe interview was given a rev
hours before the kings abdication,
and although some of the events
referred have now been superseded,
it is now given as received from
10, tl1n TDnn1rpn n
state of mind on the eve OF MS
falD. No.
stantine whether he is pro-German
or will abdicate. But Constantine
helped along the interview by ask
ing questions himself. Il was
driven from my throne by the pew
ers and then recalled by my own
neople. Yes, all but 10000 of those
who voted asked me to come bach,
and l came. Until my people re
woke that summons ! shall abide
with them, fighting their cause and
suffering with them II need De-
Yes, until my own people say now
go. we have had enough of ycu.' l
will remain.
"About this war that is going on.
Does the world realize That the
allies are still at war with Turkey?
For peace was never signed with
the Ottoman empire. We went on
with that war as one of the allies
and mind you, we went on alone
under the mandate of the powers.
Our valiant army fought at terrific
i I 4 ic11 W.T. t1it1Cr
ditions. Every day they saw one
of the allies supplying their enemy
with ammunition, guns, and motor
lorries. They could not fight an
organization like that, and so they
simpy went on strike.
History Speaks For Itself.
"From the standpoint of the
interests of Europe l cannot see
the advantages of allowing the
Turks to occupy both sides Of the
Dardanelles and the Bosphorus.
History speaks for itself. VIII Tie
Turks, excited by victory and by
flattering treatment from the pow
ers, be any different in the future.
and will the neutrality of the Oar j.
anelles, and the safety of Europe
be assured thereby? l scarcely
think so. What about the brave
English dead at Gallipoli-the lads
from Australia and New Zealand
over 100000 of them, who gave
their lives in the terrible war
against Turkey. These dead mean
nothing to England, as she hands
over Asia Minor and Thrace to the
Turks, which slew the men of her
dominions. What about the 2OO,OUO
Christians who have persisted or
been massaCred in Asia Minor by
the Turks? No punishment, but
reward, handed out graciously oy
their wartime enemy. Europe is
making a terrible mistake.
"And now about Venizelos. lie
has a personal aversion to me. Bu!
men conducting great affairs must
stifle personal considerations ard
work together for the common
good. If the Grecian people want
Venizelos; if they elect him to par
lament and he becomes chief OF
the predominant party, l see 20
reason why he should not become
premier. Under our constitutional
system / would have to call upon
him and / would do so. But Veni-
zelos must recognize the existing
government and the existing re-
gime. Would the great American
democracy want at the head of its
cabinet a man who did not recog-
nize its constitution or its existing |
regime" -,
(The interview then deals with |
internal conditions which have
largely been superseded by later
cvents).
Always Admired America.
II have always admired Amer
ica," the king went on, "and have
always had the ambition to visit
there. Who knows? Perhaps some
day. cannot understand why
America has not recognized me-
America is a democracy, and the
people Of Greece at a plebiscitc
summoned me to come back as
king. 1t is the voice of the people
which America loves so much to
listen to. 1 have some impression
that Americas recognition of me
has something to do with the Eu-
ropean powers recognizing Presl-
dent Obregon of Mexico. The Eu-
ropean powers say that II the Unit
ed States recognizes me, they IN
turn will recognize Obregon. 1t is
either that or some other way
around. There Is some connection
anyway"
On leaving, the correspondent
said:
ITO sum up, your majesty, you
propose to remain as long as the
people want you|"
That's it," replied Constantine
with his pleasant smile, "as BeI-
Ia c,t,ox -, mould COW 'I'11 stay IN