But who shall say what might have happened if he had not, through the black years of 1915 and 1916, kept alive in Western Europe the flickering sparks of faith in Greece? ----- [64] On Sunday, August 26th, 1917, at Athens, M. Venizelos revealed the details of an earlier entente between Greece and the Allies, planned by him before the battle of the Marne. It was frustrated by King Constantine. The Greek White Paper since published fully confirms this. [65] These were the main points. The actual conditions were very complex: (_a_) That England should endeavour to bring about the collaboration of Bulgaria with Greece, in which case Greece would withdraw her opposition to Serbia ceding part of Macedonia to Bulgaria. (_b_) If this condition could not be obtained, then the Powers should obtain the co-operation of Rumania, and the neutrality of Bulgaria. (_c_) If not, then Greece must be assisted by a substantial British contingent, or a joint British and French contingent. [66] This suggestion actually came from Sir John Stavridi, the Greek Consul-General. [67] See the Dardanelles Report _passim_, 1917, Cd. 8490. [68] See Dardanelles Commission First Report, p. 39. “It can scarcely be doubted that, had it not been for the Dardanelles Expedition, Bulgaria would have joined the Central Powers at a far earlier date than was actually the case. Mr. Asquith was strongly of this opinion in the extracts quoted from his evidence. ‘Yes, I am certain of it,’ he said to the Chairman.’” (Page 40.) [69] The Greek White Book has revealed that an understanding existed between Bulgaria, the Central Powers, and Turkey ever since August, 1914. [70] Extract from his evidence in the Dardanelles Report. [71] The treachery revealed by the Greek White Paper has since shown the wisdom of this attitude. King Constantine, it is now known, was in close and constant communication with the German Emperor. CHAPTER XVI SERBIA “We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”—ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1863. MR. LLOYD GEORGE now turned from the disappointments and tragedies of the Near East to look more closely into the situation at home. The opening of 1915 was a season of hope in Great Britain. The great effort to force the Dardanelles filled the public mind with visions. That attempt was then most lyrically applauded by those who afterwards rushed to denounce it. The whole outlook was magically irradiated with the mirage of that golden promise. Here was a quick cure for all our troubles. Men dreamt of a speedy blow that would cut off the Central Powers from Turkey, and open to Russia an easy door to the West. They thought little at that moment, and knew less, of the blows which Germany was preparing for Russia.