THE BALKANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1915, Page 5

THE BALKANS.

GREECE AND THE ENTENTE. AIDED IN EVERY WAY. NEUTRALITY STILL MAINTAINED. THE FUTURE OUTLOOK. Received Dec. 8, f1.30 p.m. New York, Dec. tf. An American Associated Press correspondent had an interview with King Constantino, who emphasised that if the Entente would assure him that if they were driven bad; to Greece they will re-embark and consider the Balkan campaign ended, lie will guarantee them the protection of the whole Greek army against the Teutonic attack whilst embarking. He would not do more, would not withdraw Greek troops from S"!o----nika and the frontiers, and he would not permit Greece to ibe forced or cajoled out of neutrality. King Constantine said Greece was like America—she was trying by every. honorable means to guard her sovereignty. What was happening in Greece may happen in America, Holland, or other neutral countries if a precedent was established. Greece would endeavor to accommodate the Entente, for whom she always felt the keenest sympathy and gratitude. The Entente would also be aided in every way consistent with neutrality. She too long delayed her campaign to assist Serbia, yet the Entente demands, virtually in the form of an ultimatum, the withdrawal of Greek troops from Salonika, which was equivalent to leaving the population unprotected against the Bulgarian eomitadjis, and they would experience all the horrors of the Belgian devastation in the event of the Allies being driven back to Greece.

King Constantine added, in reply to a question, that Germany promised to respect the integrity of Greek territory, but that did not prevent the Germans and the 'Bulgarians, in case of military necessity, pursuing the retiring AngloFrench and transforming Greece into a second iPoland. King Constantino denied there was any intervention policy expressed by the people's will when M. Venizelos was re-elected. The people elected him, not his policy. The mass of the people of Gtecce understood nothing of foreign policy. "M. Venizelos," lie aoded ( "may have expressed a personal opinion that if the Allied troops landed Greece would not resist them, but the arrangements were made without my assent. The minimum Allied army, in my opinion, needed to accomplish anything in the Balkans was 400,000. As these were not forthcoming it is evident Greece must pay tlio penalty of the failure of the Entente in their Balkans venture."

Asked what if the Entente resorted to coercion King Constantine replied: "We would protest to the whore world that our sovereign rights had been violated and we would resist passively as long as we humanly could. Being forced to such a course we know would be prejudicial to the lil)i>rt,ii>:i and happiness of the people." Asked *'hat he would do when unabli; to i-01.l out longer, he replied; "We would !>e compelled to demobilise and aivi.it the course of events. What else can we do?" WILL NOT DEMOBILISE. KING CONSTANTINE'S APPEAL. Received Dec. 8, BX> p.m. New York, Dec. S. King Constantine said that if the Entente resolved on the coercion of Greece lie would protest to the world, and would then resist passively until he was compelled to demobilise.

WHAT WILL GREECE DO? HESITANCY OF THE KING. CONFUSING SPECULATION. Received Dec. 8, r>.4o p.m. London, Dec. 7. Interest in the Balkans question is principally confined to the diplomatic situation, centreing on the attitude of Greece. The Westminster Gazette saya we must accept as absolute King Constantine's declaration" that lie irttends to maintain neutrality. Whatever strict interpretation is taken of the Treaty of Bucharest, the Greeks must feel they owe something to the Serbians, who fought the battle of Balkan liberty. The Evening Standard says the interview reeks with quibbles. The Evening News says it is clear we must rely on ourselves alone and, increase our forces of men.

Representatives of the Greek colony in London assert that King Constantine is afraid to jump in the right direction, and say it might not do any harm if the Allies gave him a gentle push. The Corriere della .Sera's Athens correspondent says that German agents continue to purchase Greek journals and organise supplies for enemy submarines, which openly use Greek ports. The Germanophile newspapers urge the Government to remove the capital to Larissa. Mobilisation and more active arming proceeds hastily, as if Greece was about to enter the war to-morrow.

The Kaiser decorated General Dousmanis and high staff officers on the eve of liord Kitchener's and M. Cochin's visit to Greece.

Italian papers assert that King Constantino is more hostile to the Entente since Monastir fell. He will nullify any concession given 'by the Government to the Allies.

PLOT TO KILL BULOAR KING. THREE STUDENTS SHOT. Bucharest, Dec. 7. Three Bulgarian students were shot on Sunday, owing to a plot to kill King Ferdinand. ANOTHER GERMAN MOVE. Amsterdam, Dec. 7. , German troops and guns have been pouring into France and Belgium for upwards of a week. There are indications that General von Gallwitz will be sent against the Anglo-French in Serbia, the Bulgarians considering that they are not called on ta fieht against the Anglo-French,