History of the World War, Volume 3 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest warMarch, Francis A., Jr.
History
History of the World War, Volume 3 (of 7) : $b An authentic narrative of the world's greatest war
March, Francis A., Jr.
World War, 1914-1918
The manifesto also stated that Russia was fighting for Constantinople
and the Dardanelles; Great Britain to destroy Germany’s competition;
France for Alsace and Lorraine, and the other allies to rob foreign
countries; the Central Powers were declared to be fighting to defend
property and assure peaceful progress. The manifesto filled seven
columns in the newspapers, and discussed at some length Bulgaria’s
trade interests. It attacked Serbia most bitterly, declaring that
Serbia had oppressed the Bulgarian population of Macedonia in a most
barbarous manner; that she had attacked Bulgarian territory and that
the Bulgarian troops had been forced to fight for the defense of their
own soil. In fact it was written in quite the usual German manner.
Long before this M. Venizelos, the Greek Premier, had perceived what
was coming. Greece was bound by treaty to assist Serbia if she were
attacked by Bulgaria. On September 21st, Venizelos asked France and
Britain for a hundred and fifty thousand troops. On the 24th, the
Allies agreed to this and Greece at once began to mobilize. His policy
was received with great enthusiasm in the Greek Chamber, and former
Premier Gounaris, amid great applause, expressed his support of the
government.
On October 6th an announcement from Athens stated that Premier
Venizelos had resigned, the King having informed him that he was
unable to support the policy of his Minister. King Constantine was
a brother-in-law of the German Emperor, and although professing
neutrality he had steadily opposed M. Venizelos’ policy. He had once
before forced M. Venizelos’ resignation, but at the general elections
which followed, the Greek statesman was returned to power by a
decisive majority.
[Illustration: SCENE OF GREAT ALLIED OFFENSIVE THAT DEFEATED BULGARIA
IN SEPTEMBER, 1918]
Intense indignation was caused by the King’s action, though the King
was able to procure the support of a considerable party. Venizelos’
resignation was precipitated by the landing of the Allied troops
in Saloniki. They had come at the invitation of Venizelos, but the
opposition protested against the occupation of Greek territory by
foreign troops. After a disorderly session in which Venizelos explained
to the Chamber of Deputies the circumstances connected with the
landing, the Chamber passed a vote of confidence in the Government
by 142 to 102. The substance of his argument may be found in his
conclusion:
“We have a treaty with Serbia. If we are honest we will leave nothing
undone to insure its fulfillment in letter and spirit. Only if we are
rogues may we find excuses to avoid our obligations.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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