The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. GREEK NEUTRALITY(?)

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1916. GREEK NEUTRALITY(?)

It is extremely probable that the majority of those who make a study of the various phases of the war will be puzzled to account for the very peculiar manner in which the Austro-Bulgar operations against Greece are being treated by the Government. It is only when the dominant factor in Greek action i 3 recognised that any ray of light is thrown on the obscurity that enshrouds Greek policy. We must, therefore, bear in mind that practically there is no representative government in Greece at the present time, King Constantine being virtually the autocratic and sole arbiter of the fortunes (and misfortunes) of his people. To the casual observer Greece would appear to be between the hammer and the anvil, whereas,, in reality, it will probably be found that its wily and treacherous ruler is playing for his own ends, or, in other words, making friends with the Central Powers while there is yet time. The keynote of the present situation is to be found in yesterday's cables, wae»eln K is Intimated that the Greek Government (meaning the slaves of the King** wiß) l» shortly iMuinc a

manifesto (diplomatically culled a ;omraunique) pointing out that Greece is only allowing the Central Powers to act in the s'.me way as tlio Allies were tacitly permitted to act, in both cases being compelled thereto by threats of force. These are not the exact words, but they express the effect, perhaps, more clearly than the language of international communications usually permits. King Constantine is .astutely playing off our enforced concession against the other, but with .a marked difference which can best be designed as cunning. In his fashion does the Creek autocrat fulfil the origifl of kingship—the Koenig, or most cunning man of his people. True, the definition belongs to barbaric ages, but it nas it peculiar appropriateness today in its connection with his barbaric friends, the Huns. It is somewhat unfortunate that Britain cannot resent the invasion of Greece by her enemies, for she herself has violated the provisions of international law by landing troops on Greek soil, by conveying Serbians overland to Salonika on the Greek railways, and by occupying a Greek island. Theoretically, of course, had Greece consented, she would herself have compromised her neutrality, but now she is more than able to square accounts by giving Britain's enemies the run of the country, though under the flimsy semblance of impotent resistance. Fortunately the position, as well as the King's duplicity, do not seem to be understood in Greece. The Venizelist press continues to make the King responsible for the unevitable situation of his country, and thereby places the odium on the right head. But while King Con9tantine jis doubtless rejoicing over the .turn of events, Greek opinion is being stirred to antagonism against the Austro-Germans owing to the sinking by. submarines of Greek vessels, an act which appears to have been deliberately carried out with a purpose in view—probably to convince Greece that Germany as well as Britain can interfere with oversea trade. On the top of this outrage comes the invasion of Greek'- territory by large forces of Bulgarians and Germans, and the occupation of Deimir Hissar, the Rupel Pass and a number of forts. Naturally this has aroused the most intense indignation on the part of the Venizelist newspapers, and it is hardly likely that the people will tamely submit to be thus scooped into the net of the Huns. It will be noticed that the cabled reports of this determined occupation of important military positions in Greece has ostensibly been met with resistance by the Greek outposts, and that the Premier had an important conference with the War Office, the outcome of which was a diplomatic notification to the Allies that the evacuation of Rupel was justified owing to the threat of a forcible occupation and its restoration being promised. But what is more significant is the fact thai the Greek opposition was promptly ended by the receipt of instructions from Athens. It is quite clear that King Con stantine is pulling the strings to suit his own ends, but he must be totally ignoring, or callously disregarding, the day of reckoning that must inevitably arrive. The only question is as to how long the nation will remain passive under such humiliating circumstances. The action of the commander at Kula in disobeying his general's orders and firing on the Bulgarians in consequence of his being unable to bear the mortification 01. seeing the Bulgars invade Greece, is an indication of what may become general before long, when the Allies and Serbians are able to make a forward move Both at Verdun and in Greece our enemies have taken steps to forestall the Allies' initiative, but in neither case is the more likely to have any serious consequences on the ultimate issue of the war, though it may retard operations meantime.