BEFORE THE GREAT STORM.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13662, 2 September 1916, Page 4

BEFORE THE GREAT STORM.

Thf BalKiin Mtuatioii lias so iiei|iicntly mystified students u.f tlio Near Eastern problems ;::id so confounded tin- critics that tlm ordinary observer of the march ill' i'wills wisely leave the business of prophesying to the wise acres. The lierrc.light ut' an expectant world blazes on the Kin-; of Greece, who by the way, consider!, himseif the'''greatest military in Kuropc," and posscssi'S:si field '.Marshal's baton prosented to him by his Imperial brother-in-law, tin- .Kaiser. It is L'oiistanlinu who is credited with having acknowledged to. tin: Kaiser that "as your iiiiinortal ancestor was Wont to say, my subjects may fait mure or Kss as they like, provided,, tli.vt their muster iloe.s as lie likes." And these words describe with accuracy i,nc reci|irocal relations between the Warrior-King and his people. So long no ho could lay hold of the army, ho 'cotiki simp his lingers, at the cabinets a'ml chamliers. lie exercised that power to the fall in .March. 11)15, when he .summarily dismissed the statesman lo whom, according !ir his own admission, Greece owed all her successes during the preceding four years. This 'dismissal took place under unwonted circumstances, which threw a lurid light en the growing spiritual numbness of the Greek /people. It has iiothcen borne in upon, the world that Greece is »ii autocracy itud Constantinc the I rusty henchman of the Kaiser, held sway. .114 flung a challenge not merely to VenizoWs, but to the democracy, the nation at large, and it seemed as though

the nation,, with some noteworthy exceptions, declined to take up the challenge. The Entente Powers, however, put their lingers on the weak spot in Constaulino'a ucheme. The one steady clement In the King's character—one which may be said to resemble a mania —is fiery enthusiasm for German military., Constantino gained the confidence and almost reverence of the army. He was mr.sler of the situation so long as he was backed by the Greek army, which was officered and controlled by Ger'many, The Allies saw their opportunity. The?' demanded the demobilisation of the Greek army or they would' starve Greece, The army was demobilised and from that moment Constantino's prestige began to decline. The position to-day is deeply interesting. The King of the Hellenes, is on hio trial. The people demand their rights and the King must join the .Entente Powers, whom he hates, or face a revolution. Greece, like all of Germany's allies and friends, has failed to honour her bond and the Government, chosen by Constantine, has shown itself bankrupt of honour and devoid of credit. The entry of Rumania has made the position of Greece extremely int'cnullng, enabling the Entente Powers to act as virtual dictators to the Hellenic Government. The

world awaits with interest the- dance of Greece. If the people of Greece arc given the opportunity, through M. Yenizclos, they, will quickly decide !o light on the Allies'side against their traditional foe, and thus remove the stigma that now rests on the Hellenic people, The fall of the. Zaimis Cabinet will be a.triumph for 'the interventionists.' Rumania is pushing through tlio Carpathian passes in a thorough ■■fashion. The cables say that the enemy's resistance is broken, and the Hungarians' cannot withstand the' Rumanian avalanche. The enemies of the Central Powers arc gathering on all sides.. The Russians are making'rapid progress through Rumania into Bulgaria, and Russian -war vessels are reported at Constanza, the chief sea port of Rumania. It is evident that huge supplies of nicti and munitions are pouringjnto Rumania, The Bulgarians admit that they are not moving forward toward Salonika, .but that they are consolidating their conquered positions. Official reports.'from Entente sources announce that the Bulgars are retreating. More than that, the Allies lit Salonika arc preparing to move against Bulgaria. Every front gives .the impression of a calm before a great storm, and despite Germany's attempt to continue the game of bluff, the Entente hold the initiative and a grand offensive on a 'rciiiendous scale will be launched the moment the Allied, chiefs are ready.