King George of Greece Assassinated

Evening Star, Issue 15137, 19 March 1913, Page 4

King George of Greece Assassinated

IN THE STREET AT SALOHIGA BY TWO CREEK DEGENERATES ONE OF WHOM IS REPORTED INSANE. SHOT FROM BEHIND; SEVEN SHOTS FIRED. QUEEN ALEXANDRA PROSTRATED. THE MW KIiNG-CONSTANTINE-PROGLAIMED. CONSTERNATION IN EUROPE. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright.

SENSATION IN LONDON. LONDON, March 18. (Received March 19, at II a.m.) Reuters Salonica correspondent announced the ac-wesination of King George. The news caused a sensation in the City. HOW KING GEORGE V. HEARD THE 4 NEWS. TWO ASSASSINS AT WORK. SHOT FROM" BEHIND. LONDON, March 18. (Received March 19, at 1.40 p.m.) It is officially stated that King George, while at. Windsor, received information that the Kins: of Greece had been shot at close quarters in the afternoon by an «s----sa.'sin, who stood two yards away. King George was greatly shocked, and Queen Alexandra was prostrated on hearing of her brother having been murdered. The Lord Mayor of London and the Mayor of Windsor condoled with their Majesties. Lord Selborne. speaking at the Colonial Listitute, said it was unnecessary- to e\picss what was paramount in their minds, '.["heir deepest sympathy would be extended to Queen Alexandra in her loss. ATHENS. March 18. The Administrator at Salonica reports that, two individuals, one of whom is named Alexander Sokinas, a demented being, attacked King George in the street from behind. Prince Nicholas reports that the King died in half an hour. THE LATE KING. SHOT TO DEATH BY A GREEK DEGENERATE. ARMY SWEAR FEALTY TO CONSTANTINE. LONDON, March 19. .(Received March 19, at 2 p.m.) The King wafi walking when the assassin attacked him. Schiones is a Greek degenerate. His pistol was loaded with seven shots. The murderer was arrested. The army officers have sworn fealty to the Crown Prince. [By John Zayitchanos.] One of the victims of the present disastrous and ruinous Balkan War is King George of Greece. The assassination of the King of Hellenes is a mystery. No monarch, no king, no democratic leader ever felt himself safer amongst his subjects than the late King of Hellenes, who laughed at the. warning of the late Queen Victoria not to go about the city of Athens without an escort.

At the time of writing, not having the particulars ot the calamity, I am unable to form any idea of King George's assassi nation. J'or the time being a tribute to the late King of Hellcns by one of his subjects, and a few remarks to his fatherly manner towards the Greek nation (or, rather, to the Hellenic race), may be of interest, In the year 1864 the young Danish prince, with the approval of Greeces protecting Towers (England, France, and Russia), appointed King of Hellenes m succession to the. dethroned King Othon. This was mostly owing to Great Britain's influence, sui.ee Prince Alfred (the late King Edward's brother), owing to a previous agreement between England, Franco, and Russia that no heir of their respective mations could become the Kingof Hellenes, was unable to accept the position. The young King of the Hellenes, on stepping into the Throne- of Greece, was given a girt by Great Britain, in the shape of the lonian Islands, which until then were an English colony, and the young King was named the King of Hellenes, a title foreshadowing the freedom of the Hellenes from the Turkish yoke and the restoration of the once vast "Hellenic Empire. The King of Hellenes has been more than once accused of not taking sufficient interest in the welfare of his subjects and his great national mission, but history will prove that no King did more for his nation than lie. King George, had to take an active part in the Grecian affairs, and the volcanoes of Crete, the eruptions of Macedonia, the cyclones of Thrace, the catastrophes of Epirus and Asia Minor affected him profoundly ; but unfortunately he ruled over a kingdom which contained political rivals, and his voice was not heard, hut he was deeply interested in the welfare of his country. THE NEW KING. The Duke, of Sparta, who succeeds to the Hellenic Throne, will be 45 years old on August 2 next, He recently gained renown on the field of battle against the Turks by Iris capture of Yanina, When the Greek troops entered the town there was a remarkable demonstration when the Crown Prince Constantinos was seen. A message from Athens states that the people embraced the soldiers and kissed the officers' hands. Hie European Sovereigns congratulated the Crown Prince upon his victory, the telegram from the Kaiser to the Crown Prince (who is his brother-in-law) being of a particularly cordial character. In the Grseeo-Turkish War of 1897. in which the Crown Prince also fought, the Greek armies were, kept on the run continuously by Edhem. Pasha, the Turkish Commander-in-Chief, and were completely routed in every engagement. One of the most - surprising features of the surprising Balkan War is that the Greeks should have fought against their ancient enemy and cruel oppressor with such determination and success.