BETWEEN TWO STOOLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 593, 4 January 1916, Page 7

BETWEEN TWO STOOLS.

GREECE MUST BE NEUTRAL. KING CONSTANTINE EXPLAINS HIS ATTITUDE. By table. — Press Association. — Copyright. (Received January 4, !).."> a.m.) LONDON, January 3. In tlie course of the interview granted to Mr Martin 'Donohue, King Constantino added: — ''The Allies' fierce light that still beats upon my throne has been concentrated twenty-fold on my actions. It is not a neutral light, either, hut my opinions and pledges have not been modified, because 1 am a man of honour. I want to get this •firmly into the heads of the London editors and the minds of the English people. ''it has been said that Greece, after the final victory which the Allies regard as already theirs, will be sent to Coventry, forfeiting the friendship of the Entente. 1 cannot help that. My duty is to be neutral, and T do not desire to join either belligerent, as 1 am convinced that it is in the best interest of Creece to stand aloof. "Speaking dispassionately, 1 cannot see that the military result achieved up to to-day can justify the Entente's belief in a final crushing victory, and 1 frankly say that, as a soldier. 1 would view with positive alarm the prospect of attacking Germany, not because of my relationship to the Kaiser, but simply because Germany has proved herself to be a powerful military nation. '' I would view with still greater apprehension the prospect of attacking England, knowing that she could blow my coast towns about my ears and put a speedy end to Greak commerce." King Constantine said that he was of the opinion that the Bulgars would not cross the frontier, but, if they did, would depart peacefully after their operations against the Allies. He did not see any reason for the Allies remaining at Salonica. He could understand it while there was still a possibility of aiding Serbia, but that had failed. He did not expect an offensive by either side in the Balkans. King Constantine paid a tribute to the heroism and tenacity of the troops at the Dardanelles, but added that if the Allies had listened to the counsels of those who understood the difficulties better they should never have gone there.

The first portion of the interview, received in an overnight cable message, will be found in another column of this issue.