The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1916. THE GREEK CHAOS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1916. THE GREEK CHAOS.

The condition of Greece at the present time is such as to arouse a feeling of pity for the people of that unfortunate country which seems to be on the verge of a disaster that may prove its utt«f ruin. It is no use blaming the peoplo for they have up till now had to submit to the dictates of a pro-German sovereign and his Ministerial puppets. There could be but one ending of such a woeful state of affairs as that which King Constantine has inflicted on the nation. Sooner or later there was bound to ba a rebellion, and according to the latest cables the revolution ;s spreading to Thessaly and the Epirus. Martial law ha 3 been proclaimed at Athens and in the Piraeus; the King is said to be in a sick chamber, his condition gradually becoming worse, while there are violent manifestations against him and M. Radoslavoff. The Venizelists refuse tc join the Zaiiuis Ministry and share responsibility for tho present policy; the people are lacking proper leadership and are in a state of muddled despair. Meanwhile a rumor is circulated that King Constantine has decided to abdicate, though this is not oniy unconfirmed, but is directly denied by the Greek Minister in London. Should the King not recover it is quite possible that thee onfusion and chaos will be Jntonsified by party machinations. Ascording to M. Patris, Greece is being- led I to a living tomb, and he raises his voice in a touching appeal to the people to awaken and impose their will, "or tomorrow may be too late." In the midst of all this turmoil the Greek. Premier refuses to read the writing on the wail, and professes to be still of the opinion that a policy of benevolent neutrality will suffice to meet the crisis. Ho might just as well come to the conclusion that a single drop of cold water would suffice to extinguish a raging fire. Kow intense the resentment of the Greeks, has become is shown by some of tho officers favoring deserting and joining the Allies, while General Lepathiotis, leader of the 1909 revolution, is appealing for volunteers foi an "army of salvation" wherewith to drive out the Bulgarians. Greece is in the throes of a crisis that bids fair to rend the nation asunder, and although the only lint of salvation is that which would bring the Greeks into the Allies camp, every effort is bciftg made by the pro-German section to prevent that course being taken. We are told in this morning's cables that if Greece joined the Allies it is probable that Bulgaria would sue for a separate peace. It would seem as if the responsible Greek authorities were bent on ruining the country at the King's bidding. It is a truly awful slate of affairs which cannot long remain as at present, and the sooner tha die is cast the better it will be for the Greeks and their country. Nothing but entry into the war will stop tin) revolution. • i