ABDICATION OF KING CONSTANTINE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3110, 14 June 1917, Page 5

ABDICATION OF KING CONSTANTINE

TROOPS LANDED. IN GREECE KING'S SECOND SON TO SUCCEED (Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). New York, June 13. A message from London stales that King Constantino of Greece has abdicated, and that Princo Alexander (tho King's second son) will succeed him.—Ass.-N.Z, Cablo Assn. ALLIES TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION TROOPS LANDED IN GREEK TERRITORY. Paris, Juno 12. Official.—M. Journal (?) has notified M. Zaimis (tho Greek Premier) that the protecting Powers would he obliged to obtain full guarantees for the safety of the Allies' Eastern 'Army, and were establishing a. military post on tho Isthmus of Corinth. They were also prepared to maintain order in Athens. Franco-British troops have been landed at Corinth and in Thessaly without incident—Aus.-N.Z, Cablo Assn. '• [Tho name of the Special Envoy Plenipotentiary of the Allies to Greece has been variously cabled as 11. Journart, M. Journals, and M. Journal.] TEXT OF THE ENVOY'S REPORT. (Rec. June 13, 11.20 p.m.) Paris, Juno 13. The text of the official statement issued at -Athens by the High.Commissioner of the Allies (M. Jonnart), says: "After landing I forthwith interviewed M. Zaimis (the Greek Premier), notifying our intention to protect the Entente Powers by the purchase of the entire Thessalian crops and the establishment of a system of control in order to ensure the distribution of supplies to all the Greek provinces. I notified M. Zaimis that tho occurrences in Greece since 1915 had compelled the protecting Powers to obtain full guarantees for the safety of the Allies' Eastern army, and to re-establish the unity of the kingdom and constitution in the true spirit. I appealed to M. Zaimis to assist the nations to como to a peaceful reorganisation, and notified him that Allied military posts were being established in order to control the Isthmus of Corinth. Troops have been placed at his disposal to maintain order in Athens. "Subsequently the Greek Government issued a statement pointing out that the protecting Powers had no idea of destroying the rights of Greece or changing the Constitution or regime, wishing Greece to remain strong. The people received the announcement calmly, and the landing of the troops at Corinth and in. Thessaly ; was. without incident."—Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A French' communique from.the Macedonian front states: "Tho troops entrusted with the control of the crops in Thessaly entered that region without difficulty as far as Elaissona."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. WHY THE KING'S SECOND SON WAS CHOSEN (Rec. June 14, 1.5 n.m.) London, June 13. Greek reports lack confirmation, but the Allies have appointed M. Jonnart for other objects besides the security of the Thessalian harvests. The determining factors in tho substitution of Prince Alexander for tho Crown Prince George are that he is less under German influence* and possibly more acceptable to If. Venizelos, whose refusal to a reconciliation with ex-King Constantine doe 3 not include the whole of the Royal House—"Tho Times." ITALY TAKES MEASURES (Rec. June 13, 11.20 p.m.) London, Juno l:t. Tho "Dailv Chronicle's" Paris correspondent states that there are many hints of important'impending events in Greece. Notable preliminary signs are the Italian proclamation of a protectorate in Albania, and the occupation of Epirus. These are regarded as Italian measures to provide herself with guarantees. Having obtained these, Italy will now no longer impede a decisive settlement of the Greek situation—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN INSTRUMENT OF THE KAISER CONSTANTTNE'S CHAOTIC RKTGN. King C'oiistautiue (sometimes referred to as "Tino") and his Gerraau consort have figured so prominently before the public since the war began that it_ is only necessary at this stage of the affairs of their chaotic kingdom to review briefly the salient factors which have contributed to the present development. Constantine succeeded to the Greek throne in 1913. about Ifi months beiore war broke out. ou the assassination of his father, King George I, at Salonika (March 5. 1913). His marriage to the Kaiser's sister, Princes Sophia of Prussia, and tho fact that he received his military education in Germany, inclined his sympathies to the Teutonic point of view—though his Royal father was a Dane. Constantine achieved popularity by his successful conduct of the Greek operations against the Turks, but subsequently gained somewhat of a reputation for tactlessness and arrogance of -the Prussian type when he visited tho European capitals ut the close of the Second Balkan War. Tfis testing time, however, arose on tho outbreak of the Great "War, when lie was called unon to honour the Greek Treaty, which bound the Hellenic Government, to sustain the defensive alliance with tho Serbs against aggression on the part of any other Power. He basely repudiated bis country's sacred obligation, as all the world knows. Then ensued' a period of uncertainty, during which Constantino declared his intention to maintain an attitude of absolute neutrality in tho interests of the nation. This attitude of neutrality, as ovents proved, developed into a dark and sinister Germanic plot against the Allies, and which culminated in a second massacre of St. Bartholomew, the victims being the A r enizolists. Constitutional government became a farce, Hip political situation was controlled by German gold, and ono Cabinet after another followed in quick succession. Vcnizelos. the one man who had rescued the dynasty from expulsion in the later years of the la.to Kin" George's life, restored 'the monarchv In nublic favour, and placed the affairs of the nation' in decent order, hud definitely broken with his 7>ro-German master. M. Vcnizelos, erstwhile Premier of Greece, and now head of the Provisional Revolutionary Party, lost favour by his strenuous and persistent advocacy of intervention in favour of tho Allies, the basis of that policy being the Greek treaty with.' Serbia. Definite Parting of the Ways. The departure of M. Venizolos for Crete, accompanied bv Admiral Condourinlis early on the morning of September 25, marked tho definite parting of the ■ ways'in' the struggle between the Constitutionalists and Hie (Cine. Before l«avin'« M Vcnizelos made the following slatemen* (•> "The Time-" correspondent ' ar'Afhens which summarises the situation rnneiHy and lucidly:— (]) I oni leaving here this evening to proceed to tho Greek Islands in order to head the movement which has already manifested itself in some of tho islands in favour of an action by my countrymen against tho Bulgarian invader who is overrunning Greek Macedonia*, maltreating, taking prisoners, and ill man:-/ cases murdering those of our countrymen who are left to his mercy, unprotected •inii miilnfpnded by the Greek Army. VwtlSslonn.been known that my policy as head of the Liberal Party aimed at' tho intervention of Greece ou the side of the Entente Powers against ' 'their aftnclciii" enemies. T have always maintained lliat the interests and fortunes'of Greece were dependent; upon her traditional friendship with the Entente ""(SWn February, 1915. I resigned office, because my policy of intervention was , not sanctioned. ... , ,„,- n n v ±i i 1 1 was not returned to power again in August. I!Mfi, as the result, o tho elec--1 tions held in June, by which tho people approved ot my policy. But I was obliged again U> Trsign, because, tho King did ' not fulfil our treaty with Serbia; whoronV even if no treaty had existed, it was evident to wo that; the moment

Bulgaria joined the Central Powers against the Entente it became «u absolute necessity, if only to safeguard the barn interests of my country, that she should immediately join tho ranks of the ibitorito towers. Subsequently Rumania decided to play nor part, and it seemed impo.vible that wo should not then join her against tho common ioe. Nothing was done. ..,,,, , r , „ , (t) The betrayal of Kavaln. attor tho loss ol tort Kupol, Seres, Drama, and of the greater part of Greek. Macedonia, has brought matters to such a crisis in the verv existence of mv country that 1 can no longer resist the cry of my compatriots calling' lo me to help them and save lliem from extwiniiintion at the bands of Bulgaria. I can no longer wait. (a) J have exhausted in vain every possible means of inducing those who govern Greece to take up arms in defence of their country. (ii) T. have offered to support unconditionally any Ministry in Greece that should bo ready to carry out tho policy of intervention —tho only policy compatible willi the national interests of Greece. (7) I have recently sent a message to tho King, through one of tho Ministers of tho Entente, urging bim to lose no more time in coining to tlio rescue of his country, and offering, should he so desire, to retire myself, if my retirementwould'make it easier for him to follow the path of duty towards his nation. (8) All has been in vain, and I feel myself bound now to respond to the call of my countrymen, tho call of those who are oppressed by our hereditary foe, to come and lead them to the rescue of their oppressed brethren. (0) I have hesitated to take tho supreme stop which I am now taking. 1 am only taking it because I am absolutely convinced—notwithstanding the published assurance.s"that tho present official Ministry are disposed to consider the question of intervention—that those who now really control Greek do not honestly intend to arm tho country and to drivo out the invading enemy. (10) Do not think I am heading a revolution in the ordinary sense of tho word. The movement -now beginning is in no way directed against the King or his dvnastv. (11) This movement is one made by those ol us who can no longer stand aside and let our countrymen and our country be ravaged by the Bulgarian enemy. If is the last effort we can make to induce tho King to come forth as King*of the .Hellenes and to follow tho path of duty in protection of his (12)"' As soon as he takes this course, we, all of us, .-hall be only too glad and ready at oiico to follow his Hag as loyal citizens led by him against our country's foe. . (13) Admiral Condouriotis, Commander-in-Chief of the Greek aavy, whose name is honoured and esteemed by Greeks throughout, tho world, has united with me in the task I am now undertaking. I fool sure that we may count on the sympathy and goodwill of the free Knglish people .towards us in the mission we aro now setting out to accomplish.