Evening star., 1925-08-09
Greece Not Guilty of
Atrocities in Exchanges

10 the EDITOR OF Inc St4r:
With deepest regret we have read
in your paper correspondence from
Bulgaria in which we have failed to
note that degree of impartiality which
is conducive to the creation of fair
public opinion.
The impassionate description Of the
crime OF r. Kurtova, IL any such
crime has ever been committed. seeks
to prejudice and not to enlighten the
public. An unbiased spectator desir-
ing to form an honest opinion would
not overlook, in formulating his con-
clusion. the crimes perpetrated by Bull
garians against Greeks in Bulgaria.
In this respect we might well call
attention to memorandum submitted
by the Greek representative IN Geneva
to the League Of Nations last Jan
uary concerning the murder Of four
Greeks-Stephano Tsarkiris. Assimia
Gasga, Greek woman; Serge Gasgas
and Basile Shatta-in the town of
Stenimaka in Bulgaria.
In Burgas, another Bulgarian town.
a bomb was hurled in the house of
Kokinos. a Greek citizen.
On the 9Th and 18th Of October,
last year. the house Of the Greeks
in Vedena, Bulgaria, had been pill
laged. Abstaining from the mention
Of further atrocities which might well
here be added, 1t will suffice to point
out the murder committed but just
few days ago in the town of Steni-
maka, Bulgaria, on the person of
Nicholaides.
Justice and fairness to American
public opinion should equally demand
the story Of the crimes perpetrated by
Bulgarians upon the Greeks in Bull
garia.
Concerning the question Of the vol
| untary exchange Of populations, 1
might add it is based on the treaty of
the 9th of November, 1919, between
Bulgaria and Greece. and in execution
| Of article 56 of the Neuilly treaty.
The purpose Of this convention was
to simplify and facilitate the mutual
exchange of the minorities of both
countries. This convention author
| ized q commission of four members,
one Greek, one Bulgarian and two
| members Of the League Of Nations, to
| supervise the aforesaid exchange of
populations and the liquidation Of
their respective estates. There is no
doubt but that this measure. taken by
| itself, Is harsh and, to be sure, no
country was obliged to suffer more
! than Greece under the most tragic
circumstances, obliged, as she was, to
| receive. feed and clothe 100000 ref.
| ugees and this without any previous
legal obligation.
Any one with the slightest concep-
| tion Of the question Of nationalities
! in the Balkans, realize the enormous
! difficulties incident to its solution.
Through exchange Of minorities q
great forward step has been taken to
| the end OF eliminating in the future
| the various national frictions and Of
| assuring the establishment of peace.
full relations among the Balkans. Over
| and above this it's aim and purpose
| is to eliminate the fertile field of pro-
fessional propaganda and the perpe.
| tration Of eternal frfctions between
| the neighbors. Such a policy is prob
| ably far from conforming with the
desire Of Bulgarians who are constant.
| ly striving to perpetuate the Balkan
entanglemerlts and thus menacing the
peace and tranquility Of the world.
The American citizens Of Greek de.
| scent, having fought under the banner
Of the Stars and Stripes. cannot but
with a deep regret view such publi-
| cations calculated to engender the
American public opinion with national
! strifes, particularly In view of the
| fact that America has taken the lead
in the worldwide movement Of rec
| AMERICAN VETERANS OF Hell
LENIC DESCENT.
ny SOTERIOE NICHOLSON,
National Commander.