THRONE OF GREECE.
AN ELECTION SLANDER.
From A. Beaumont, Athens, Wednesday.
I had a long and exhaustive conversation with M. Veniselos, the great man at the helm of Greek affairs, this morning, and further on reproduce his declaration, which reflects the political cyclone that is raging over Attica. A cold breeze is sweeping from the north; the sea is lashed into fury; wind and rain, sunshine and clouds dispute possession of the sky, as if the elements of nature had joined in the general disturbance. An unexpected tragedy threw this country into mourning, and immediately raised the important local question – Constantine or Veniselos?
The dynastic question, considered definitely settled three years ago, crops up with renewed violence and with an important bearing on the relations of Greece towards other nations. This is so true that ex-king Constantine’s partisans have thrown out hints that the elections are being conducted under pressure from England and France, pretending that if Greece were really free she would give an overwhelming vote in favour of the ex-king.
M. Veniselos has given many interviews already, but I believe that this morning he opened his mind more freely and spoke more frankly than ever. Despite his fifty-five years, he appears to be a man still in the prime of life. He said: “What nonsense is the talk of British pressure and French interference in our elections. It is a gratuitous slur which Constantine and his partisans try to throw on the friendly Powers. Naturally, we have our reasons to please England and France by consulting their wishes. We know that the return of ex-king Constantine would displease them, and they have good reason to think so. We Greeks also have grounds for looking upon such an eventuality as a disaster.
“We owe much to England and France. They have favoured us all they could; they have helped Greece to her present greatness, and do you not think that this entails on our part elementary moral obligations towards them? If Constantine’s followers resort to such methods as slander of friendly nations, it means that they are at a loss to find good reasons for their cause. But such arguments, I know, will have little effect on the people of Greece. The Greeks know what these Powers have done for us, and they know what would have happened to us had Germany had her way.
LOYALTY TO THE ALLIES.
“When I was in Paris and pleaded the cause of my country, I was often stopped and told, ‘Yes, M. Veniselos, you ask much of us, and we are giving you much, but can you guarantee that at some future time Greece will no’ forget it, and may again come to pacts with our enemies?’ I assured them that if I knew the Greek people at all, they would never forget what England and France had done and were doing for us; and it is that principle of gratitude and respect for the given word we stand for to-day, when fighting against the return of ex-king Constantine. Not only must Greece be grateful for the past, but the friendship of the great Powers is a valuable asset for her in the future. Greece will always realise this.
“The ex-king, by his delusion, his play with false military prestige, that reminds one too much of Hohenzollern pride, tries to make out that he would have been better fitted to make Greece great and prosperous. Quite the contrary. Had he continued, he would have made his country very little and very poor. He imagines that the people of Greece long for his return. We shall have a reply at the elections.”