VENIZELOS'S REVELATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 90, 10 January 1919, Page 5

VENIZELOS'S REVELATION

"■'_ .;- »— —— GERMANY'S ATTEMPT TO BRIBE ■V GREECE. 'M. Venizelos, the Greek Premier, recently referred in London to a- conversation he had at the beginning of the war with the German Minister in Athens, who canio to him because he was aware of M. Vonizelos's declarations that if Bulgaria attacked Serbia Greece wo.uld go to the assistance of. her Allies, •The Minister first of all showed mo (states M. Venizelos) the great. dangers that Greece would run if 6ho carried out her plan, because she. would have, opposed tb'.lier, not' only Bulgaria,!, but Germany. ■ I.replied that I.was exceedingly sorry to: hear that if we went to war we should have to fight, not only Bulgaria, but Germany, but, much as I regretted it, it was our duty to go to the, assistance of our Allies, and we should carry out our duty. (Applause.) The German Minister then asked me if, in going to Serbia's assistance, I was looking.forward to any benefits that'might arise for Greece. I replied: "No."" He then said: "But if Greece will remain neutral, we.are in a position to give her very great and substantial' benefits." (Laughter.) I then asked what .were the benefits which Germany would offer us. I put that question, knowing what the answer would -be,-but-1 wished it to come from himi He replied: ."Germany will give you Monastir, and as much more of Serbia as you want." (Loud laughter.) I said to the Minister: "You will allow me to translate your offor into my own 1 words. What you .do is this: you ask me to dishonour mv signature, to. dishonour my country, and. violate its obligations to.wards Serbia, and as remuneration you offer me a part of. the corpse of that which I am expected to kill." (Cheers.) "I added," continued M. Venizelos, breaking into English, "my country is too little to commit so' great an infamy." (Loud and continued cheers.) ' M. Michalacopoulos (Greek Minister of Agriculture), who was in the chair, said it would have been impossible for them, the younger fellows, to accomplish their duty to Greece had not M. Veniffilos taken the leadership and'direction, af Grecian feeling. If his programme had been adopted by their neighbours in the Balkans a new era of happy times would have dawned there, and all the Christian peoples would have been satisfied. The Bulgarian desire to bo the Prussia of the Balkans had prevented his civilised programme from being realised. Mr. Harold Spender introduced M. Venizelos, v hailing him as the great Prime Minister of Greece who had passed through fire unspeakable and come ■ out victorous in the end.