THE HOUR AND THE MAN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 292, 13 July 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE HOUR AND THE MAN.

Tee re is r.n old saying to the effect that there Is a man for every contingency, if he can be found. I'or the contingency in Greece, the Allies, at the eleventh hour, found the Man n M Jonnart, who, about two months ago, was appointed Allied High Commissioner at Athens, with plenary powers to deal with the situation. M. Jonnart, during his brief tenure oi office, has given evidence of the possession of remarkable force of character and consummate political and diplomatic skill. Making very little preliminary use of his pawns, he has manipulated his pieces so quickly and brilliantly that, after checking the King, he has removed the opposing pieces one by one, until his bewildered opponents have been forced to submit to "checkmate," and resigned. He first ■secured to the Allies control of the Tsthmus of Corinth and occupied Epirus. A fortnight ago he "removed to places from which escape is impossible," no less than 103 officials, including M. Gounaiis (formerly Premier), General Metrxns, Col. Sayias (leader of Reservist Leagues), M. Tivienatos (leader c; the disturbances in Athens in December), M. Dragonis, M. Skoulor.dis, M. T.ambros (all former Pi •omiers), Col. Skatigos (chief of the Greek General Staff), General Hazzopoutos (formerly Minister for War), Dr. Geroulanos (Palace Physician) and his German wife, together with 60 other political and military suspects. After thus cleaning ort the entire nest of Germans and eradicating Teuton influence,, Tie has completed his revolutionary work by substituting M. Yonizolos for M. Zaimis, in the Premiership. He has apparently carried Greek public opinion with him every step of the way, and the news just to hand :o tho effect that Greece has severed relations with the Central Powers would not come as a surpiise to those in tone i with the rapid march of events in Athens. Not havng the power to interfere with the Monarchical constitution of Greece, the Allies, after removing King Constantino, were compelled to appoint a successor, and in elevating the ex-king's second son, Prince Alexander. to the throne, they have noted within their prerogatives, and at the same time retained control of the situation. Prince Alexander has the reputation of being e. pro-German; but he has not tho dominating personality of his father, or the individuality of his elder brother, and during the Allied occupation of Athens he will probably be more or less a mere figurehead. As to the attitude Greece, militarily and nationally, will adopt with regard :o the war. there can he no manner of doubt. Hillaire Belloc, in his introduction to the "Battle of the Marne.'' says that no nation can remain strictly neutral when her interests are vital!v concerned, and there can be very little doubt that within a comparatively short time we shall hear that tho Greeks nave thrown themselves heart and soul into the conflict. With the inauguration of the new regime, the All ios have '-.ad placed in their hands a new and formidable weapon, with which they can develop a strong offensive on what now virtually becomes a new front. According to tho London "Daily Mail," the Roumanian Army s larger, better equipped, and stronger than ever, and is prepared to take the offensive immediately the Allies give the word. Perhaps the greatest and most immediate benefit the now regime will render the Allies' cause will be 'ts effect upon the morale of the Russian armies. The knowledge that they have the re-organised Roumanian army on their south-east wing, and that the Allied and Serbian amies are preparing an offensive, will no doubt have n stimulating and consolidating effect upon them politically and militarily. Should Greece join the Allies, as she probably will, the Serbian, Allied, and Roumanian amies, which are facing Bulgaria on three sides, will probably make a combined offensive, and converge upon conquered Roumania and bulgaria without loss of time. Wit! l , the arrival of American troops on the We.stern front, the Central Powers will be unable to withdrav sufficient forces to repel a fresh Balkaa offensive. The withdrawal of Gr ere from her relation.-, with the Central Powers effectually closes oi-e of the gates to the Ea't against Austro-Germany, and places the Allies in a position to seriously threaten her main route via Constantinople. The Balkan campaign Ins at l ist asumed a no.,' and brighter aspect, and the operations in that theatre of the war will in future attract a new and absorbing interest.