1915-11-13 — Page 8

M. VENIZELOS.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.

PILOT OF GREATER GREECE.

[T. Lothrop Stoddard in the American Review of Reviews.]

a raging, destructive flood which would leave the land worseoff than before. Fortunately the patriotic heads of the Military League felt the necessity and saw the man.

his maw was Mr. Venizelos,

From Crete to Athens.

A Now Pilot for the Nation.

EXTRA

HONGKONG, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1915

in First Balkan War.

An International Figure.

Greece and the Allies.

On the

the ses.

In

the

spoke the truth. The Cretan de and Contentinople fell, the whole that a Dardanelles campaign was holds herself the heir of Rome, pointe in southern Albania ars paties, Venizelos' own folk, tried vast Ottoman heritage would lie Impossible unless Bulgaria's once master of the entire Near painful enough to Greek suscepti- to force their way into the nation-at the Allies' feet, to be disposed quiescence was first secured; East, and of the Italian maritime bities; if Greece discovers that al Decembly. It was the dream of of at their good will and pleasure, that the whole Greek army was republice Venice and Genos, pro- | the Allies have promised Itely any every Hellene, notably of Venize. Things looked very well for the nous too strong for the task of dominant in Leavantino walerr part of southwest Asia Minor it is los himself, that those Oretans Allies during those February days, guarding Macedonia from Bal- throughout a considerable portion decidedly unlikely that the Greek should sit there. But at the mo when Dardanelles forts crumbled garian invasion and that to divert of the Middle Ages. These old people would be willing to eaori- mont it meant a Turkish war and beneath the rain of dreadnought a large part of it overseas would claims had been vigorously assert-fice a single Greek soldier in the ed at the time of the Italo-Tarkiet Allied cause. The recent triomph defisuce to the will of Europe, shells and Russia's hosts breasted be to,court disaster. Venizelos drew a cordon of troops the Carpathian mountain oresta Negotiations With Bulgaria, War, when early in 1012 Italy] of Venizelca at the polls should be about the Houze, ropaleed the and looked down upon the plains Venizelos thereupon approach-seized Rhodes and the "Dode interpreted as a vote of confidenos Cretano, deported them from the of Hungary. Salaty and self-ed. Bulgaris, and was told that knusse," the island chain stretch-in his leadership rather than as a country. And Athens applanded, interest alike seemed beckoning Bulgaria would remain neutral iting a third of the way across the distinot mandate far war under The Greek Brave Showing Made by Greece along the same path, and the Bal Serbia would cede most of her Aegean Sea. All attempts of Edro say circumstances.

kan States accordingly stirred with Macedouian conquesig while poun diplomacy to oust Italy from people feel that the man who The resounding triumph of Mr.

Then, for nearly three years, pro-Ally sentiment from end to Greece should yield those rich this Lavantine foothold have been plucked them from the nadir of Venizelos in the Greek electious

Aegean count districts Kavalie, failures, and Italy has shown by discomfiture and set their feet of mid-June and bis appronohing

Greece dropped out of sight. The end.

Drama, and Berres which stretch her strenuous attitude that she apon the pathway of success is resumption of that leadership of

great world was far too engrossed

so provokingly eastwarde, cutting regards these islands as more the man to guide the country in the Greek nation which, he laid

with giant international crises and

To France and England Grease off the Bulgarian hinterland from stepping stones to southwest Asia this, its supreme hour. On this local turmoils to beed what was down after his disagreement with

was bound by many ties of.

This was, of course, Minor, which she has openly ear-point it is significant to note that passing in the little capital beside King Constantine in early March,

sympathy and gratitude. These focus attention apon one of the Eleatherios Venizelos was born the Aegean Sea. Suddenly, in the two nations had been the prime prios far above what Greece was marked for her own. But this is Venizelos has publicly stated that willing to pay; nevertheless, the very ragion which Greece has conditions have changed since most interesting figures of our on the Island of Crete in the year autumn of 1912, the Balkan temp. architects of Greece's national ex- Venizelos attempted to compro also earmarked for her own, and February, and that what was then maladeed, Mr. Venizelos has 1804; of aa sacient family which, est broke. How would the Chris istence and bad always shown mise, agreeing to waive the Creek she regarde the prospect of an possible may no longer be feasible been in the public eye for a num-according to tradition, descended tian Staten conduct themselves in themselves her friends.

veto on Serbian cessions of Mace- Italian sphere in Asia Minor with to-day, medieval Dukes of their supremo struggle with the other side, Germany alous had donian territory as the reward of downright terror. Strategio and ber of years. The world is still from the smazed at the astounding nation-Atbone. Equipped with a good hereditary Turkish enemy? That

proven herself well disposed to

Bulgarian neutrality, and further commercial considerations aside, A Patriotic Paople. al revival which took place in education gained in both Greece Bulgaria would do woll everybody Greece. Austria had long coveted offering to cede Kavalla and were Italy to divert thither a por. Greece during the saree Shurt and Switzerland, Venizelos pre- agreed, but concerning Greece as the goal of her eastern Drang" Drams if Bulgaria would join tion 800,000 emigrance who yearly

ofosing this sketch of years from 1909 to 1912, and all sently plunged into the maelstrom many even in phithellonio caroles Salonica, the apple of the Greek Greece in a common attack upon leave her shores, she might turn Greece's strong MAD по Jompetent observers agree that for of Cretan politics, and by the be- remembering 1897 and 1909, had oyo, while Turkey, the hereditary the Ottoman Empire. Here how southwest Asia Minor into a Now must not forget that,

A few toe, menaced Hellenism through- this almost miraculous trangforginning of the present century he their serions doubts.

ever, Venizelos encountered Italy, and these bistorio Greek mation Venizelos is primarily was recognized as the strong man weeks later these forebodings were ont Asia Minor with destruction. doable obstacle,

Balgaria ab- lands would be the lost to Hel- great and successful as bas

bзen bis work, it of the "Great Greek Island," both entirely dispelled. Thres hort Lastly, Bulgaria, burning for rosolutely refused to consider these leniam forever. responsible.

Greek nation which bas made It was, there years of Venizelos had resulted in ange since the late Bilkan war, terms, while Greece itself pro in peace and war.

Under thezo oircumstances that work possible. No one how- New Greece. The tragi-comedy and inconsolable over lost Mace nounced emphatically against any Greek disquietude can be imagin over gifted, can create something In the autumn of 1909 Gresco fore, with a high-established re-

not repeated. The donis, stood in the closest relations Macedonian cessions to Bulgarised when the Allied Powere de oat of nothing. That Venizelos, seemed literally doomed. The putation that he arrived at Athens of 1897 was disastrona Turkish war of 1897 towards the close of 1000, invited French and English experte had to both the Teutonic Powers and whatever. The passions roused cliued to accept Venizelos pro in less than three years, oculd had apparently done nothing to thither not only by the Military done their work well, and the the Ottoman Empire.

by the late Balkan wars shared posal of a definitely delimited transform the apparently hopeless rouse the nation from its cuantio League but also by the veteran Hellenic forces were transformed

Such was the situation when by all the Balkan peoples, and if Greek sphere in Asia Minor, and Greece of 1897 and 1909 into the impotence. Year by year the politician Dragoumis, the solidest in both spirit and performance. bigb temptation came to Greece. the Bulgarian hates the Greek, would make only vague promises Greece of the Balkan Ware show meaningless equabbles of corrupt and least compromised figure of Of course they did not accomplish As the February deya sped by it the Greek bates the Bulgarian of "liberal compensation." To that the heart of Hellas was al- politicians had grows fiercer, and Greek parliamentary life at that the prodigies which enthusiasts became increasingly clear that the with equal intensity. An Eng many Greek statesmen this could ways sound. The Greeks have

would have us believe, bat, in Allied armada could not batter alish atadent of Baiken affaire did only mean that the Allies were party life was becoming more and time.

some serious failinge but they both the Balkan wars, the Greek

way through the Dardanelles; not exaggerate when he recently holding out the same bait to bare, also certain high virtues, more a sordid straggle for place

The strong hand of the new armies showed a and preferment. Every branch

steady, work that an army was needed to sup- of the administration was honey. pilot was instantly manifest in the manlike efficiency and reaped a plement the work of the dread wrote, "the hatred of the Greek Greece and Italy in order to get notably an ardent patriotiem, ris for the Balgar is something them both without raising trouble ing to the dignity of a religion, combed with corruption and des course of the ship of stato. No harvest of succasses which left noughts and to consolidate their phenomenal, surpassing in bitter- some partition probleme. If Bush and, like all real faith, this anne- potism. The army was patently minally Dragoumia was at the Greece in many respects the lead-

gains. Now Allied troops were

nese all other race-hatrede in the were indeed the 0380 these men bles sad purifies. This patriotism, degenerating. if not absolutely belm, but everyone know who was ing Balkan State,

none too plenty in the Levant and

world."

feit that it would be madness for joined to a quick understanding, disintegrating. Foreign policy laying the couran, and an immense

coal ill be spared from the bat.

Venizelos accordingly found Greece, on the faith of mere bringe it to pass that when the Astonished at these unexpected tiefelds of the West. According that most of his colleagues, in- general promises, to exhaust her true interests of Hellas are clearly was conducted with a combina sigh of relief and confidence rose

tho barassed country. events, the world asked the exly, Allied diplomaoy est about tion of bombast and oraes inepti- from

Bet forth the Greek people tade which had just drawn down Diffenlties previously threatening planation, and when Greeoo im to remedy thie defeat by bringing cinding Mr. Gounaris, (after Veni- rather slender strength on Turk-

#alos Grasca's most respected ish and possibly Bulgarian cam- devote themaalves thereto from Turkey a singing rebuff to were smoothed away as if by mediately answered, "Venizelos," now reoraits to their banner. And statesman), were quite unfavour paigas, to emerge from the strug with such concentrated fervour

Factions politicians wore ail eyes were turned upon this new Greece seemed the most likely able to his proposed sacrifices. As gle, thoroughly wearied, in face as which disorganized, semi-bunk-magic.

to accomplish seeming He bore the scrutiny well. rupt Hellas could only bow. The either reconciled for sharply max.

scene of action, bitterly hostile to bumiliation led to an uprising of League (afforded a graceful exit bis diplomatic insight won golden Tarkey and well disposed towards France, her ibe army which, under the title of from the political arena) dissolved, opinions from all observers, and at England and

austed its ablest leadere being taken into the Peace Conference of Bucharest eympathies were primed by her the world as Greece's most heil- to the Allies, should send the ro reades, recognized throughout should give herself unreservedly the "Military League," the government of the day and the cabinet. The faulty constitu- at the class of the Second Balkan self interest. For the whole Aegean liant savant, undoubtedly voiced quired army to the Dardanelles

tion was amended, especially by War he displayed a statesmanlike shore of Asia Minor is thickly the feelings of the vast majority of even at the risk of Bulgarian ARMIES OF THE BALKAN took control of the country.

To Western observers, friends the insertion of a clause enabling moderation which, if acted upon, peopled by Greeks eager to follow his compatriots when he passiona-attack, and should trast entirely and foes alike, this seemed the the employment of foreigners in might have resulted in better their island neighbours into union tely condemned all plans of territo Anglo-Frenal gratitude. Faced beginning of the end. In face of the public service, thus making Greco-Balgarian relations to-day with the Hellenic Kingdom. Such torial concession to Balgaria. by this sharp difference'el opinion, repsscent Slavdom and a rejuve-poesible the turning over of the During the Greco-Turkish crisis was the bait hold out to Greece "No compromises of the kind King Constantins summoned s

(Times Military correspondent.) Ottoman Empire, (the army and navy to French and which threatened the Near East by Allied diplomacy, and Venize

The Bulgarian order for mo- Young Turks" being then high English expert commissions for with a fresh couflagration during los promptly accepted on prin- suggested," he writes, can be Royal Council, and by this body soceptable to Greece. It would the matter was thrashed out in in the world's favour), Greece op. thoroughgoing reform, while these the greater part of the year 1914. oiple, offering Greek armips for resalt in an impossible frontier, the opening days of March.bilization was given out at mid-

It saman reforms were in turn made Venizelos showed a happy com the Dardanelles campaign in and a fresh war for the possession The Conseil deoided against

night, September 4-28. I ровой, -pronunciamentos! mattered not that the programme of materially realizable by large bination of tact and firmness the Military League was free from European loans easily Boated now which ended by averting a Greco.eturn for an Allied promise of auf Salonion would only be a mat- Venizelos' project, the King (who flected the 23 clacees 1890-1912,

broad slice of Asia Minor stretohter of a few years." He expressly

vidantly shared the Council's to which must be added thres professional egoism and denoted that Western bankers saw that Turkish clash for the moment and ing from a point just south of the condemne tho

acquisition opinion) informed his Fremier of olsos with the colours, making general attack on corruption, Greeno was in safe hands and on for what then appeared to be the Dardanelles right athwart Asia of Asiatic territories at his adverse decision, and Venize-20 in au, ue reservice m- sineoures, softness, weakness in the road to recovery.

Minor to the southern cosat on the the price of Macedonian aaorifices. los thereupon resigned.

bilized were ordered to join their The Great War Roaches the Near Mediterranean Sea. This ares Ureece could only accept it, every department of public life;

Whether Venizelos was right or depote by midday, September 25. that the creed of these new Spart-

would double the size of the sx-

plass But soarcely had this storm-isting Kingdom of Greece and, (Asia Minor) on one condition, wrong, one thing is olear; the fact and was "Useds, not Words." To

appear to give that the Greek General Staff and the Western world, especially the was the hold acquired by Venize cloud boea dissipated when the ander good government, would

st the recruiting offices "Liberal" philbellenic world, an los over the Greek people. The mighty tempest of the Great War ultimately support several million per atrategio frontier border-so many of the Greek stateamen, ing on Bulgaria; otherwise she including M. Gongaris, wara democracy has not. broke over Earope and presently inhabitants. army revolt inean jingo nilita- Athenian rism. Accordingly, the glconiest changed much since Clean's day, spread to the Near East with The prospect was for Greek will be at the mercy of a coalition against Venizelos' project prophecies prevailed, and G..ce, and before Venizelos no Minister Turkey's entrance into the strug-patriots an intoxicating one, but of Bulgaria. and the Power hold- while Greek public opinion wasS likened to a Contral American re- had dared pit his resolve against gle at the beginning of November, it was open to two serious objec-ing the interior of Asia Minor. It opposed to that conciliation of the country are afoot, and it is said that two corpa of Macedoni- public, was sadly mourned as lost its tumultuous disapproval. But 1914. All thoas problems which tune. The first of these was the would be to offer poison in a Bolgeria which was so important

golden oap." the Athenians now found them-Venizelos had ac foudly hope attitude of Bulgaria. As a result beyond redemption.

a part of it, should dispel then, each 30,000 strong, bare Of conres it was quite true that selves confronted with an iron were long adjourned rose quiver of the Second Balkan War Greece Greek Versus Italien Ambitions, absurd assertions of the Angiolso been prepared. In 1912, the Hallux was facing the unprome will anahaken by the loudest in for solution, and the little and Sorbis acized Macedonia and Furthermore, serious though French press that King Constan- Bulgarian infantry completed ite orisis of tor destiny. Liberal shouting of the mob, Venizelos Balkan pengler, exbusted by ivided it botten them. But the Bulgarian diffealty might be, tine defied his conspillars and mobilization by the fifth day, and oritics were undoubtedly the possio' the poople the truth; told it their recent condiote though ther Macedonis in, to. Bulgaria, the it was not the only obstacle to the bis people at the imperious behest the artillery and trains by the 11th day. The concentration mistic, for the Greece of 1800 was in the lowest possible worde sud were, saw their destinies ang sum of all her hopes. For it she realization of Greece's Aviatio of his Queen, the sister of the

was completed by the 14th day for the troops and first line tran the sword alone could eat the sible unpalatability. If be felt a world-war. Awed by this death of it she nurses an unapponsable irons in the diplomatic fire, and Return to Power, Will Greece port, and by the 17th day for the in such an inextricable tangle that frequently with the greatest pus into the boiling cauldron of a fonght the Bilkan wars, deprived dream. The Allies had many German Emperaz. Gordian knot. Nevertheless, the demand to be impossible he said grapple of titans beside whow grief, an unslaked thirst for at the very moment when they remedy was an heroic one, which No, and that no was final. The they themselves were bnt PFg-revenge.

Venizelos' triumph in the June whole Army, Allowing for im Greece and Serbia were angling for Greek support would either kill or cure, and people had their choice of bow-mies, the Balkan peoples sal know this well and ever since the they were no less assiduously elections and the certainty that in proved arrangements which are which would certainly kill if the ing to Venizelos decision or get-watching the dread melee, eager late Balkan conflict they have carting Italy. Now it was the new Greek parliament assem-sually the result of an experi- enco of thin kind, it care were long delayed. For a ting rid of

Venizelos. Many to share in the rich spoils of vic bean in close alliance against Bul. obvious that if Italy was to brave bling on July 20 his sapporters will probably ba about modern State the prolonged rule of superficial observers predicted the tory, yet chilled by the knowledge garis, mutually guaranteeing her internal difficulties and flout would be in a majority, assuring: October that the Bal- an anonymous, unconstitutional latter alternativo. They

were that a single miscalculation might their respective Macedonian ter- her traditional Teqtonio allies his return to power, bas led many the in mean national death. military camarilla is bound to be wrong. Venizelos was

ritories and promising not to cede she would have to be paid a high to suppose that this will mean the garian fatal; no matter how high-minded carnation of all that Young Greece It was this inability to pick the any part of Macedonia to Bulgaria Greece, since, throughout the the war on the Allise' side. But, tion was sent out 24 hours later

price. And this looked bad for immediate entrance of Grasce into ready,

The Greek order for mobilisa- the original leaders may be it will had longed and striven to be, and winner which kept Balkan public without common soon generate a spirit of fanatic when the Greek people listened opinion fairly solid for present long as peace reigned in the Bal-Near East, Hellenic and Lalian while this is very possible, it is by than that of Bulgaris. It affect chauvinism or brutal tyranny. to his torse, etern truths, stripped neutrality during the first six kong this afforded them ample se ambitions were clashing in the no means certain. Much has ad the 23 olasses 1899-1911, to which must lead straight to rain of all the rhetoric and sophistry months of the Great War. But, earity, but since the outbreak of moat irreconcilable fashion. In happered since lust February, which must be added the four The stern patriotism of the Mili-with which they had been so long toward the close of winter, this the Great War Serbia had been Southern Albania, (Epirus). Italy The Allies general outlook is by planes with the colours, making tary League may have been neces beguiled, they knew that he was neutrality was subjected to sworn to a shadow in her struggle and Greece had already early no means so bright as it was then; 200 llor sary to break the spell of right, that he was the leader of unparalleled strain. In mid- against Austria, and Greece but a small matter, beside their most important of all from the garis. The order was officially precisely the come to blows, yet even this was Bulgaria still naries her wrathi

Come number at forr Bal- factions corruption, but unless if their dreams,

Wherefor, when February a great Anglo Freneb thus left alone in face of the

gone declared to be a measure of speedily effaced itself before the Venizelos spoke the untamed fleet, the mightiest armada of mc-implacable Balgarian fool A rivalry in the Aegean and the east Greek atandroint, Italy has" constructive civilian statesman Athenian democracy was allent, dern times; attacked the Dar cordingly when the Greek General Mediterranean basin. For, if in. Yat are the Athee to prudence rendered necessary who should espalize the rising and the more unpleasant things danellos. This was touching the Shad an informed of. Venizelos: Greces considers herself the heir mised Italy? That is the vital by the Bulgarian, mobilization. tide within safe constitutional he said the moro, it worshipped very heart of the Essiera ques- negotiations with the Allied af both ancient Hellas and the question for Greece, The Italian There remain some Grenk olascen bounds, this tide would become him, because it know, that he tion. If the Straits were forced Powers, it declarat unanimously medieval Byzantine Empire, Italy occupation of Avions and other

Popdim fury at this crowning brought to book. The Military At the London Conference of 1919 possibility. Next door to the to the trend of Greek public of bor mighty Italian rival. marvels in a very short space

nated

His Leadership' Accepted.

Moit significant of all, however,

noor future.

East.

Comment. So

opinion on the matter, that was Venizelos, however, thought other of time. plain enough. Professor And-wise. He believed that Greece

to be...forced not

19

་

"ap in"?

in toto

STATES.

2016..

In addition, the 1018

ordered to

MB:

between September 20 and October 20. Thus practically all the fighting men in

Army

not yet called up.

will

be