South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2505, 31 March 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1881.

The rise of Greece and the decay of the Ottoman Government are but symptoms of the vast political changes that are passing over Europe. Half a century ago Greece, once the foremost empire of the world, lay bruised, bleeding, and mutilated out of all shape at the foot of the Pharasaical, sensual, and despotic Turk. To-day she stands prepared to do battle for her rights on tolerably even terms with her traditional oppressor. According to the intelligence just cabled from Europe the Greek army has been ordered to the front, and unless some decisive step is taken by the Great Powers, a war of a most desperate character is inevitable. For should a war break out between Greece and Turkey there is no doubt it will be pursued with hatred on one side and with desperation on the other. All through the negociations that have been conducted of late by the allied Powers, Greece has betrayed an unmistakeable desire to avenge her past wrongs. And if the sword of retribution is once withdrawn from its scabbard, she has undoubtedly a heavy score to avenge. In 1821 the Isles of Greece were literally steeped in carnage. Men, women, and children, the pride and lovliness of an oppressed and crushed nationality, were subjected to the most shocking barbarities imaginable. A population, whose only sin was that they desired to throw off the infamous yoke of an old oppressor, was butchered in cold blood. Fortunately a remnant was saved. All Europe looked on pityingly but passively, but not so America. The sympathy of the United States assumed a practical shape, and Europe stepped in between the murderer and his victim. Since that memorable struggle Greece has slowly but sm*ely been recovering. Every blow to Turkey has added fuel to her hopes. Out of her ruins she has been gradually rebuilding a powerful nation. Macedonia, Thessaly, Livadia, provinces, whose very names were wiped out by the Moslem slave-drivers, have been restored, and corn, oil, and wine are again flowing over a fertile soil. Since the independence of Greece was proclaimed in 1830, her march of progress has been sure and steady. The Government have had steadfastly in view the entire restoration'of their ancient boundaries. And in proportion as Turkey has fallen lower in the social scale, and has

grown weaker and weaker through internal feuds and suicidal ivars, Greece has grown stronger. Now that Turkey is reduced to the last extremity, the people of Greece are resolved to have restored the remaining portion of the territory that was stolen fiom them four centuries ago. What gives additional potency to their claims is that they are not only fair and just, but supported by the Great Powers. If Turkey and Greece measure swords the contest can have but one result. The old Ottoman empire having outlived its usefulness will probably find a grave in the land which it held for centuries in bondage and which, within the memory of the present generation, it deluged in blood. But if the re-establishment of Greece on the soil that it occupied two thousand years ago is achieved by hard fighting, the result will be none the less a triumph of moral force. For a nation of slaves, bleeding at every pore, and almost decimated, to attain the distinction of a mighty empire in the brief space of half a century, is something that may well make historians lay down their pens in wonder. Should Greece triumph over Turkey in the duel to the death that seems impending, the child of the slave will have won the prestige of a conqueror. The spectacle of an old empire like Greece adjusting its armour and reasserting itself may be but a single act in the great revolutionary drama of which Europe is the stage at present, but the act is a grand one, and should the rod curtain of war rise on the final scone the tableau will doubtless be something very imposing.