“WITH ENGLAND.”

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144855, 6 December 1915, Page 5

“WITH ENGLAND.”

HOW GREECE MUST FIGHT; “Greece, who several times saved Europe from barbarism, cannot at this time forget her history. As our national poet has said, it is better to live one hour iu freedom than forty years in bondage.”

When Mr. C. Andronicus uttered thoao sentiments before a big meeting of follow Greeks at Sydney Town Hail on© afternoon last week those Greeks cheered and scamped their feet and clapped their bauds in whac waa obviously a burst of enthusiasm, it was an enthusiastic meeting (says the Telegraph), representing 3000 Greeks in Sydney and others in various parts of the State. They decided eventually that the following resolution be handed to the Premier of this State, and ■ cabled to tho Premier of Greece:— “The Greek community of Sydney, foi- . lowing with agony in these critical cir- , cumAtaftccs the- fortunes of tho Motherland, is expecting from day to day to see the Greek nation fighting on the 1 side of England and her Allies for tho cause of Justice and freedom. The Greek community, expressing its sympathies for England and her Allies, is of opinion that Greece, fighting on their side, can crush hor eternal enemies, tiie JTurkx and Bulgaria, and ‘attain her national ideals.” THE TERRIBLE DRAMA. Mr. Aodrouictes, who spoke in excellent English, said: — “Fellow-compatriots, wo have com© her© to-day to express our feelings and < sympathy with the responsible leaders j of our nation, and to convey to them j an earnest appeal to join the fortunes f of our country with those of England ■ and hor Allies. (Loud applause.) The terrible drama that has the world for its stage, and most of the European nations as its actors, has during the last few weeks been unfolding most prominently in the Balkan- Peninsula. whore oar country is, fortunately or unfortunately, situated. The peculiar geographical position of our native land invests it with a special importance, and since the war started the name of Greece has been more or less before the eyes of the world. When tbo war started, and Europe found itself divkl- - ed into two contending tlm Greek people, by an enthusiastic demonstration in Athens in front of the English Embassy, cried out, ‘With England! Our friend who Tias never taken a false step!’ (Great applause.) Such were our sentiments at tho start of tli© war—they are such to-day, and they will bo such to the end, notwithstanding anything that may bo said to tho contrary, (Renewed and vigorous applause.) Such feelings are natural* when we recollect that the two nations hare many things in common —common democratic ideals and aims, freedom of thought, action and liberty, common interests, and to a great extent common history. (Lood applause.) Such solid foundations arc neither easily shaken nor readily changed, and friendship which is based on such concrete principles and of- sc many years’ standing cannot bo aban doned or exchanged few tho friendshi) of tbo nations which havo from tim< immemorial been tho bitterest anr most destructive foes of our nation. (Loud applause.) We cannot even contemplate such an eventuality. (Applause.) And although the rapidly* fathering and dark clouds that orerang the Balkans may have created a different opinion in others, to us, who owe our birth to that famous land, and are fully conscious of its noble soul and its high purpose, who have itc brilliant history before our eyes, and who never forgot that Greece has never failed to defend the sacred treasures of civilisation, liberty, democracy, freedom and justice, the conviction is as strong as ever that Greece will eventually find herself on the sido of-hor friends, England and France. (Loud and sustained applause.) FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE. “Tbo cause of England and her Allies is tho championing of freedom and justice, Sho will never allow tvranny. The Crook nation is absolutely sure

about this. "We are at a loss to understand why Greece has not yet entered the sacred struggle—(applause)—on the side of England and her Allies. (Loud applau.se.) Wo can only conjecture that: most vital interests, and especially tho very lives .of the Greeks of Turkey, forced upon the Greek Government the cautious attitude. But there can be no doubt that the present convulsion is destined to decide the most sacred, ideals not only of Greece, but of the whole of the civilised world. (Loud applause.) These Ideals are at the i>reeeut moment menaced by a powerful and well-organised combination of desperato brigands. (Applause.) who is ao proud of the fact that she on several occasions saved civilisation from barbarism, cannot now forget her history. (Cheers.) Though stiii bleeding from the terrible wounds she received in ‘the lust two Balkan wars, though conscious of tho terrible fate that awaited her children in Turkey and Bulgaria, the. national consciousnoAs fully revises that tho present time call’s for unprecerlonted sacrifices, and we are mire that Greece will make those sacrifices. (Loud applause.) She made them before to-day, and will make : them again. Such an Empire, which hflf.es her policy on freedom and justice, which for a thousand years has managed to maintain and increase her grandeur and power, cannot be-easily overthrown. (Lovd applause.) ONLY ON EN CrLANdTS SIDE.

f< Wo cannot forget that of the terrible sacrifices made in tho Greek revolution the national poet has said that it is bettor to live one hour m freedom I than forty year* in bandage*’ (Applause.) We cannot feel secure op- any . other side than on tho side of England, who has been entrusted by Divine Providence with the mastery of the seas and the possession of half of the ewth}y sphere. England has for many centuries directed the fortune of nations, and ever strives for the freedom and civilisation of mankind. (Appbvasck) Tli© experience she has gained during her long period of Empire will enable her satisfactorily'' to solve the great problem now presented. Like an abte and experienced surgeon dealing, with a difficult case, England wIH at last secure a triumphal success. Sneh are our convictions and sentiments, which, I am sure, are shared by entire Hellenism, and it is for ibis purpose that we are now assembled in this hafi, to voice them and convey them to the responsible loaders of our nation, in the carbost hope that they are in accord with their own.*’ (Applause^