GREECE AT THE CROSS ROADS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 6

GREECE AT THE CROSS ROADS

6 Matters in Greece have reached a stage when King Oonstantine is faced with the alternatives of revolution or an alliance with the Entente Powers. The policy pursued by the King has been one of antagonism to the Allies and drift. The outrages committed by the Bulgarians, in Greek territory-, have evoked passionate protests from patriotic Greeks. The handing over of the fortress of Rupel to the traditional enemies of Greece was fiercely resented, and the deportation of the Kavala garrison filled the cup of bitterness to overflowing. Every Greek worthy of the name feels that his country has been, disgraoed • and degraded. The permission of such impudent outrages was naturally regarded as an indicatioil that the Greek Government had decided to espouse • the cause of the Central Powers, and the necessity of ■ checkmating this violation of the natural sentiment led to the formation of the patriotic movement. In an open letter to the Government published in his paper, M. Venizelos gives expression to the feelings of indignation which animate the majority of the nation [against the "treacherous pro-Bul-garian policy of the Government." He declares that it is repulsive to ! Greek sentiment to treat Bulgars on j the same footing as the Serbians and I the Allies. He continues: . Thinking tlia\ the Allies would take the offensive and the defeat of the Bulgars was certain, the idea came to the General Staff' to hand over Fort Kupel to the Bukara. From that moment the policy Which leads Greece to rain stood out naked. You aotually seek to justify your . criminal projects, declaring, that Dy handing over Bupel you have annihilated the Allies' prospects of offensive by forcing inaction in" Macedonia on both groups, of;belligerents. . . . After having written and read over this statement, we are fnlly. aware of the strength of its language and the gravity of its aoousations. But the policy you are foliovng not only leads the nation to ruin, bat will also bring! on you tho condemnation, curse, and anathema of Hellenism. . Though these scathing, words are addressed to the Government, it must be remembered that the attack is directed against the ■ policy of the Kino Oonstantine's promise to the Kaiser not to allow Greece to declare war against Austria or GerI many has caused him'.to, violate the 'constitution, to 6train the loyalty of the majority of his subjects, to breaking point, and to endanger his throne. His wife is the Kaiser's sister, i and it may be taken for granted that the Queen is using all the influence she possesses in favour of the Central Powers. At a recent banquet, in celebration of tho Kaiser's birthday, Constantihe faoro his uniform as a Prussianfieldmarshal, as well as. the insignia of various orders conferred upon him by the Kaiser. By accepting tho leadership of the patriotic movement, M. Venizelos has now openly pitted his influence against that ofthe King, and it would seem that at last the power has passed into his hands. Whatever now happens there can be little doubt as to the final outcome. Kinq.'Constantine must fade a revolution .which threatens his throne, or fight the Bulgars who have invaded Greece. And if, as seems probable, he sets out to fight the traditional enemies of Greece, it is unlikely that he will bo able to desist after they are expelled from Greek territory. The inclusion of Greece on tho side of the Allies may have important consequences —consequences disproportionate to the force she is able to put into tho field. The moral effect on Bulgaria and Turkey will bo great. It would be a blow from an unexpected quarter at a time when they can least boar it. It would remove many embarrassments which _ have hampered the Allied offensive in ths Balkans. It would enable that offensive to be pushed home at once, and permit of the defeat of Bulgaria before the winter closes down opera l , tions in the Balkans. It would probably mean the. end of tho Balkan campaign this year. .