The Sun SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1915. THE WOOING OF GREECE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 532, 23 October 1915, Page 8

The Sun SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1915. THE WOOING OF GREECE.

The Allies are making one last serious effort to induce Greece to ad : here to her contract with Serbia and take the Jield against the Bulgarian aggression. In addition to Cyprus, Greece is offered an extension of territory on the /Egean coast and Greek colonies in Asia Minor. A London message says that these represent the Entente's last word. In considering the possibilities 'of Greek intervention and the prospects of the Allies' diplomatic campaign at Athens, the student would do well to pass by the unofficial suggestively optimistic "facts" and concern himself only with authoritative statements. It is probably true enough that recent events have emphasised the opinion of the populace as to the need for Hellenic intervention, but unfortunately there are no signs at the time of writing that the Greek Premier or his Sovereign has been influenced, by the popular clamour. The price offered for the help of Greece is a very tempting one, and one that would enable the Hellene Kingdom to satisfy her national aspirations in the Levant, but what at present stands in the way of acceptance of the offer is the doubt in the minds of Constantino and M. Zaimis as to the Allies being able to fulfil their promise. This was one of the stumbling blocks in the way of the Entente) during the earlier negotiations with Bulgaria. While the Allies could not and did not promise such generous territorial concessions as did the Germanic Powers, still they offered enough to make it worth Bulgaria's while to fight against Turkey. Bulgaria demanded the concession there and then, and, going further, questioned the ability ■ of the Allies to make good their contract. The German legions were at the gates of Serbia, powerfully armed, and led by redoubtable commanders. As against that the Entente could set nothing but promises to be fulfilled in the future, while one of the means to that end, the (iallipoli campaign, was hanging fire sadly. No wonder, then, that Ferdinand's fear and cupidity sent him into the German camp. Bulgaria's attack on Serbia showed beyond dispute her belief Ln the ultimate triumph of German arms, and up to the present Greece is similarly persuaded.

lt is only to be expected that, apart from other considerations of a subordinate nature, she lootfs for evidence of the Allies' capacity to carry out their progamme in Ihe Aigenn and the Balkans. Before she can be moved to take the plunge into war, Greece must be convinced that the Entente is prepared to giiarant.ee victory, not much in the Western theatre as in the Balkans, and Greece's troubles on this point arc also Rumania's. In the circumstances then, unless popular pressure in Athens is able to force'the King's hand, one is driven to take a doubtful view of the present negotiations. The evidence to hand indicates unmistakably that the Serbs, though lighting valorously and obstinately, will be unable to long withstand the battering they are being subjected to on the front and the right Hank. The amount of aid rendered the Serbs by the Allies can only be conjectured; 1 it appears to be quite insufficient for the purpose for which troops were sent through Salonica. Italy is clearly averse to weakening her own campaign in order to help in the Balkans, and despite all Ihe preliminary "kites" Russia has not yet landed troops on Bulgarian soil. So Greece remains coldly neutral, and it is easy to see why. Her position is undoubtedly a difficult one. If she rejects the Entente's last and best offer she will have to give ample reasons,; and these may well result in a serious breach between herself and the Entente One thing appears certain: a: sufficiently impressive demonstration of military strength in the Balkans would win Greece over, and probably Rumania. Can the Allies provide such a demonstration?