Greece

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 11, 13 May 1915, Page 7

Greece

HELLENIC PROGRAMME.

VENEZELOS RAISES SACRED LEGION OF 50,000. Unitkd Pbe»» Association. (Received 9.15 a.m. Athens, May 12. M. Venezelos is at Mitylene, organising a Sacred Legion of fifty thousand men for the purpose of realising the* Hellenic programme in Asia Minor. ri.fN'MW _. •v-t*." ,l ,''s""|?'* ;r, r , '''*Ws Hazell's 1915 Annual states: During the year the relations between Greece and Tiirkey became exceedingly strained. Rankling under the loss of territory on the,mainland and the islands of the Archipelago as a result of the Balkan War, Turkey's consequent treatment of Greek subjects in Smyrna and Thrace was continually threatening an open rupture hetween the two countries. The possession of a strong navy by Greece was a barrier which Turkey could not overcome, and she eagerly seized the opportunity later in the year to purchase the famous cruiser Goeben and its fellow cruiser of the German navy on their escape from their pursuers and safe arrival in the sanctuary of Turkish waters. On the other hand, Greece determined to add to the strength of her army, and in June, on a debate in the Chamber on a motion for an increase in the rivalry. M. Yenezeles stated that the army would be raised gradually during the next five years to 500,000 men. The policy of the Turkish Government in its relation to Greece was summed up by The Times special correspondent in an important article as follows:—"The quartering of Musulman refugees from Macedonia in all Greek villages situated on the Asiatic <ea coast and particularly in those lying opposite Chios and Mytilene would appear to be the practical application of a general political scheme recently adopted by the Ottoman Government. All indications go to prove that the )bjeet of the Young Turks is to interpose a barrier between the islands and ';ho Asiatic hinterland in the shape of ■i solid mass of Musulman inhabitants ill along the coast. This, in the opinion of leading official Turks, will ultinately, and as a natural consequence, put a stop to or at least considerably liminish all the Pan-Hellenic propaganda which has been going on for years, and which has received immense impetus owing to the facilities afforded by the proximity of Chios and Mytilene, now in Greek hands. The propagandists have always found nnongst the sea coast Greek rayahs a fruitful soil for their activities. 'Sterilise' this soil and penetration into .the hinterland would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. Such, in a few words, is the line of reasoning which, coupled with a natural desire for retaliation and an innate hatred of the Greek race in general, has led to the decision forcibly to quarter Musulman refugees in Greek villages. So long as this policy i s carried out.unaccompanied by rape or murder, it is difficult to imagine how any outside interference can be effected with reasonable hope of success. But should excesses take place on a large scale then may foreign intervention' be speedy and •evere, for the match once applied to such inflammable stuff as , Moslem Macedonian refugees, a conflagration •night ensue which would not leave a single Christian alive in Asia Minor."