The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1915. BRINGING GREECE TO REASON.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1915. BRINGING GREECE TO REASON.

It will be remembered that Lord Kitchener on one occasion stated that Jio joined the British Cabinet as a soldier and not as a politician. It may now he remarked with equal truth that he visited King Crmstantine as a soldier and not as a diplomatist. Although we know but little of what took place at the interview, there appears to be little doubt that Lord Kitchener was direct and decisive in showing the pro-German L monarch that be was playing a danger-

ous game. It may be taken for granted that there was no diplomatic talk on Lord Kitchener's part, but that he adopted the stem tone which his position as the head of the British War Office demanded, That he created a profound impression will be readily understood, and there is little doubt that his warning was effective —possibly not of itself, but certainly when coupled with that masterstroke of his genius in blocking Greece from receiving its food supplies. Knowing well that ICing Constantino's promises were valueless, Lord Kitchener rightly pinned his faith 011 coercion of such a kind as would ensure the Greek nation being starved into submission if the King were obstinate. Such a prospect might well cause dismay, as it would certainly have precipitated a revolution. It was ;t drastic turn of the thumbscrew, out nothing less than pressure of this kind would have availed. Britain and her Allies were not endeavoring to compel Greece to fight for Serbia. The one point on which a reliable guarantee was required was to ensure the safety of the Allied forces at Salonika and to guard against Greek treachery in the event of those forces having to retire into Greek territory, This was nothing more than that benevolent neutrality which had been promised, but could not be relied upon. It is now stated that King Constantine has assured Lord Kitchener that the Allies would not be attacked by Greek troops, and that the basis of a satisfactory agreement has been established. The one factor that will determine adherence to this guarantee is that Lord Kitchener has shown how easy it is for the Allies to punish Greece for any act of treachery. The lesson was needed, and it is probable that history will record this achievement of Lord Kitchener's as one of the outstanding features of his distinguished services to the Empire. In order to adequately realise .the full meaning of this guarantee, it is necessary to bear in mind that although there has been a large British force landed at Salonika for the purpose of assisting the Serbians, a correspondent of the Daily Mail has stated that these forces did not advance, because they (lid not trust the 200,000 Greeks adjacent to the base, nor did they trust in the promised neutrality. This was unfortunate for the Serbians, but the wisdom of the policy of assurance of safety from Greek treachery was amply justified. We do not know the actual number of Greek troops at Salonika, but there is good reason to believe that the army numbered somewhere in the vicinity of 200,000 men. The safest measure to have insisted on would have been demobilisation, but the threat of starvation will no doubt suffice. We may rest assured that when Lord Kitchener is satisfied that his men may advance no time will be wasted, and if a sufficient number of troops are available Serbia's trials and sufferings will be speedily ended —thanks to tne valuable services of Lord Kitchener, with whom subsequent developments may be left in perfect confidence. The mere fact that the German press snarls at the bitter pill that has been adminis« tered to Greece is striking testimony of its eflicacy. The outlook is certainly today far more hopeful than it was a few days back, and the Kitchener touch has had its effect on the Venizelos party, which now advocates demobilisation. The new developments may also have a good effect, so far as the Allies and Serbians are concerned, on Roumania. The Balkan States should now realise that the Allies are in earnest, and that it will certainly be to the ultimate, advantage of these States, even including Bulgaria, to act in concert with the Allies rather than against them. The pitiful position in which King Constantino now stands should be an objec lesson to them, but above all they can hardly fail to understand that Britain and her Allies are fighting the cause of the small States against the despotic and ferocious militarism of the Teutons, the total destruction of which can alono secure for those States a real guarantee of independence and peace.