'library UNJVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO 3 1822 01306 1734 / Xh \ KING GEORGE OF GREECE fLytcf Lo^ <::/€.o-'i.a!:^ -^ ^Lo^ <::^^.hoii'sra/>h hy Desgkanges, Aix-lcs-Bams. KING GEORGE ABROAD 165 time and details, and his name figured everywhere as the patron of concerts, balls, and charities. In the shop-windows his photographs appeared pre-eminent, to the detriment of the President of the Republic and other democratic lights, who suffered an inevitable eclipse each season. In common with all other democratic countries of the universe the French have a profound regard for anything in the way of titles. Royalty is simply adored, and a real king is almost worshipped as a demi-god. France, on the other hand, possesses a congenial atmosphere for people of title and royalties, and in no other part of the world are so many to be seen. In spite of all this traditional hero-worshipping and all the official pomp and ceremony which the democratic fathers of the pretty watering-place delighted in thrusting upon him, King George gradually won the real affection of the inhabitants to whom he was as familiar a sight as their own Mayor. He was known as " Monsieur le Roi " to everybody in Aix, and a great number made use of the still easier appella- tion of "Monsieur Georofe" and oreeted him thus in loud tones after the manner of the Southerners. Walking to his bath every morning the King invariably followed the same route through the old quarters of the town past the famous public laundries where scores of women and pretty young girls did their washing to the accompaniment of merry songs and gossip. In accordance with the 166 KING GEORGE OF GREECE prevailing fashion of the district, the girls did their work in the most comfortable and uncon- ventional garb, often little more than a mere apology for dress. Their appearance, as a matter of fact, was exactly like that of children at the sea-side, only with a more generous view of the nude. In a burst of anxious solicitude for the King's moral susceptibilities the Municipal Council decided to put a stop to this wholesale display of feminine charm and placarded the wash - house with a series of printed notices, prohibiting any further show of undraped busts and limbs during the early morning hours, when His Majesty passed by. The order was reluctantly obeyed, and more especially by the pretty young laundresses, who considered it an infringement of the liberty of the subject. When the unsuspecting King arrived the next morning he was greeted by a mournful-looking crowd of women in long" dresses and hiofh-necked blouses, bidding him a ceremonial "Good-morning, your Majesty ! " " Whatever is the matter, ladies ? " His Majesty enquired with genuine concern, " I hope nothing serious has happened to the establishment ? " The girls laughingly explained the high-handed action of the Municipality to the great amusement of the King, who immediately promised them to intervene with the authorities on their behalf. KING GEORGE ABROAD 167 The same morning King George made a point of conveying a discreet hint to the Mayor that his moral conscience would not be shocked in the least if the ordinary customs of the place were adhered to as usual. The following morning the King received quite an ovation from the ladies of the wash-tub in the Rue du Puits d'Enfer, who in the meantime had returned to their primeval state of slightly draped nature. " Vive Monsieur Georges ! " they cried in their shrill voices, "and au revoir till to-morrow!" In further commemoration of the event the King distributed a handsome amount amongst the girls, who from that time were on terms of devoted friendship with the Greek Sovereign. When the news of his death reached Aix-les-Bains no more heartfelt grief was displayed anywhere than in the Rue du Puits d'Enfer, where the girls shed genuine tears and for once draped themselves voluntarily — in black. Like his father, King Christian of Denmark, King George was a man who delighted in regulat- ing his life down to the smallest details with the precision of a soldier. When abroad he maintained his usual hours for the transaction of business, giving audiences, and taking rest. His audience hours at Athens were from eleven to one daily, and the same rule applied everywhere when receiving people of note or local dignitaries either at Copenhagen, Aix, or Paris. The King invariably 168 KING GEORGE OF GREECE rose at five every morning, took his bath, went for a walk of about two hours, and had breakfast with the members of his suite. Then he devoted at least an hour to the reading of his newspapers, comprising the principal sheets of no less than seven different countries, Greek, French, English, German, Italian, Russian, and Danish. In addition to this formidable budget of news he subscribed to half a dozen cutting agencies for every- thing concerning Greece, which often ran into hundreds of items a day. His secretary and the master of the household, Count Zernovitch, would usually assist in sifting the bulk of all the printed matter and place whatever there might be of importance before His Majesty. Articles with hostile tendencies against Greece would often put the King in very bad humour, and in such cases he would immediately take steps through the usual intermediaries at the disposal of up-to-date Royalty, to have the stories contradicted or corrected in a discreet but effective manner. In France M. Clemenceau was for many years the most trusted of King George's journalistic supporters and was ever ready to act on behalf of Greece. Often his attention was drawn to questions of urgency by private letters from the King himself with whom he maintained a lively correspondence to the last. The Greeks, in turn, have always regarded M. Clemenceau with the greatest reverence, and KING GEORGE ABROAD 169 seldom missed an opportunity of giving expression to their profound esteem for their great champion. One of the quaintest opportunities afforded the Greeks of showing their gratitude to the famous statesman happened about four years ago when he was still Prime Minister and the most powerful man in France. Mme. Jacquemaire, M. Clemenceau's married daughter, was on a visit to Greece, where she was received by all classes with every sign of respect dinå. feted by the populace wherever she went. The young lady's feeling of gratitude, however, received a severe shock before she was well out of the hospitable country. On her return journey from Athens by rail to the Piræus, whence she intended to go by steamer to Trieste, en route to Paris, she discovered to her dismay that a handbag with all her jewellery and personal trinkets and corre- spondence had vanished. She immediately lodged a complaint with the local police, but a subsequent search proved hopelessly fruitless. In her dismay she telegraphed to some friends at Athens who lost no time in stirring up one of the greatest Press campaigns ever seen in the country, with the object of retracing the missing valuables of the daughter of the great benefactor of Greece. All newspapers for once laid aside considerations of party and private competition. A telegram was despatched to Mme. Jacquemaire imploring her not to leave the shores of Greece before the property 170 KING GEORGE OF GREECE or the equivalent had been restored to her. A stirring appeal to the patriotism of the thieves was published in all the principal newspapers of the country, imploring them in the name of everything sacred in the history of the nation not to put such an indelible blot of shame on the land of their birth and to restore the stolen goods forthwith. Big placards bearing similar inscriptions were posted all over Athens, and even the priests enjoined the unknown robbers to repent and disgorge the booty. In less than a day and a half the police received a note from the thieves that the stolen property would be at their disposal at a certain place and hour. The "patriots" had not touched a thing, and every- thing was handed over to Mme. Jacquemaire by a police officer before she left Greece. Patriotism among thieves, by the way, appears to be quite a common thing in Greece, if one can believe the following story which was related in the newspapers of Athens at the time of the first revival of the Olympic games in that city. A number of the most notorious pickpockets of the capital called a meeting of "prominent" confreres from different parts of Greece to discuss the immediate attitude of their ancient and honourable society towards the coming festivities and the expected influx of distinguished foreigners from the four corners of the earth. To relieve these friendly strangers of too much of their ready cash and valuables, they argued, would be an exceedingly KING GEORGE ABROAD 171 bad advertisement for Greece abroad, and, in con- sequence, a resolution was unanimously carried "amid cheers" to leave foreigners alone during the six weeks of the first modern Olympiade. They kept their word like gentlemen, but doubled their efforts against the natives, who were prob- ably less enthusiastic over the noble resolve of the crooks than were their foreign guests. During his long reign King George learned to appreciate the Press as one of the most formid- able allies of a modern ruler. His friendship for pressmen was not of the platonic and distant variety generally cultivated in Royal circles, where journalists are usually ranked among the necessary evils of this unhappy world. On matters of importance he was easily acces- sible to serious men of the Press, but always exercised the greatest care and discrimination in dealing with them. He very often granted un- official audiences to journalists, especially foreign correspondents, at Athens and abroad, if they were able to advance any feasible reasons why he and not the Prime Minister should be singled out to supply information. In such cases the King, through his private secretary, would invariably demand a written promise from the applicant that every word relating to the interview should be submitted for approval before the article or telegram appeared in print, and a signed copy left with the secretary. In spite of these elaborate 172 KING GEORGE OF GREECE precautions there are instances on record when King George has been " done," but never, as far as I know, by any member of the British Press. In 1896 a Berlin journalist obtained an inter- view with King George on the usual conditions of mutual trust. Although the man deposited a copy of his despatch with the King's secretary, the story evolved from the interview and published in his paper at Berlin, presented the most elaborate piece of "embroidery" imaginable with scarcely a shadow of the original facts as a saving grace. The writer had evidently trusted to the vagaries of that special providence which is supposed to look after exuberant pressmen. He reckoned without his host, however. King George knew from experience that it would be a thankless task to trouble the editor of the paper in question with an official disclaimer, as the correspondent had evidence to show that he had really had the honour of an interview with the King of Greece. Instead of that the copy of the authorised interview was forwarded on to the astonished editor with a letter from the King's secretary explaining the facts of the case. As a result the correspondent was instantly dismissed, and a "corrected version" of the story published without delay. King George used to refer to the Press as " the seventh Great Power," and the present ruler of the destinies of Greece takes every oppor- KING GEORGE ABROAD 178 tunity of upholding the traditional friendliness of the Royal House towards newspaper representatives. When all doors in Greece, Servia, Bulgaria, and Turkey were unceremoniously slammed against war - correspondents during the late war, King Constantine eventually altered his tactics in this respect and inaugurated a system of generous hospitality towards foreign journalists which, in the end, did Greece a great deal of service. The personal intervention of King George was responsible for this. King Constantine later made a special point of getting into personal contact with as many representatives of the world's leading newspapers as he possibly could, and frequently guided their hands in the proper direction. His famous telegrams to the Press concerning Bulgarian atrocities against defenceless Greeks and their women and children created an immense sensation in Europe, and brought about the complete down- fall of Bulgarian prestige for many years to come. In Paris King George was regarded almost as a Parisian, which is the highest tribute in the gift of a patriotic Frenchman. His French was of an extremely easy fluency, full of all the little elegant slang phrases and catchwords which are so dear to the heart of every true-born Parisian. During the latter part of his life the King always stayed at the same hotel, the " Bristol," and would insist upon the furniture of his apartments being left in exactly the same position as when 174 KING GEORGE OF GREECE he left, year after year. If anything had been added or altered in the appearance of the rooms, he immediately set to work to have it restored. He detested to be made the object of official functions of any kind, and invariably declined all invitations except the unavoidable dinner given in his honour by the President of the Republic, and then only on the express condition that there should be no royal salute. His chief delight was to stroll about the streets and boulevards un- recognised, make purchases in obscure art-shops or from small dealers in antiques, and drop in, unannounced, at the studios of celebrated artists to admire their latest creations. The King very often met the late Mr Pierpont Morgan, who for years had a permanent suite of rooms reserved for him at the " Bristol." One day, it is related, the old millionaire became so impressed with the youthful appearance of King George that he exclaimed, " I would give millions to possess your Majesty's looks ! " to which the King smilingly replied, " Not if you were in Greece, Mr Morgan ! " It is said that it was on the advice of King George that Mr Morgan decided to go to Copen- hagen for the purpose of consulting Dr Finsen, the famous inventor of the Finsen light, concern- ing the cure of his nose, which was ever a source of annoyance to the late millionaire. The journey, as we know, resulted in hopeless disappointment, KING GEORGE ABROAD 175 for, after a few days preliminary treatment at the Finsen Institute, the improvement of Mr Morgan's complaint was stated by experts to be beyond human skill — despite the financier's offer of a million dollars towards the institute's funds for only a partial cure. Notwithstanding the dis- heartening diagnosis Mr Morgan eventually pre- sented the Finsen Institute with a cheque for several thousand dollars as a donation towards future research. In conclusion, I will place yet another little incident on record, which was related to me by a gentleman closely connected with the Danish Court and a valued friend of Kinor George. It o o illustrates the simple, democratic views of life that formed the ruling trait of his character, as well as his ever-ready wit. Some years ago, when Kaiser Wilhelm had delivered his famous speech about the "divine right of kings" and the ''mailed fist," King George was staying at the Amalienborg Castle in Copenhagen. My friend happened to be the first to draw the attention of King- Georgre to the telegrams in the morning papers, giving lengthy accounts of the amazing utterances of the Emperor, which have since become so classical. The King read the telegrams twice and looked exceedingly entertained when he had finished. With an abrupt gesture expressing spureme astonishment he dropped the paper and eyed 176 KING GEORGE OF GREECE my friend for a moment or two with a look of amused interrogation. "Well, Captain, what is yotcr opinion of this speech?" His Majesty asked diplomatically. " I have heard of better speeches, your Majesty," was the equally diplomatic rejoinder. " Yes ; but have you ever heard of any worse ? " laughed the King as he proceeded to read the account for the third time. CHAPTER VI THE MATERIAL PROGRESS OF GREECE DURING THE REIGN OF KING GEORGE KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER Before passing to the struggles with Turkey that marked the latter half of King George's reign, it will be well to glance briefly at the material development of the kingdom during the last half century — a development that has been fostered in many departments by the initiative of the King himself. At King George's accession the population of Greece was a little over 1,000,000, and its area about 19,000 square miles. By the cession of the Ionian Islands in 1864 and of Thessaly and part of Epirus in 1881 the area was increased to 25,000 square miles ; and now, as the result of the Balkan wars, the kingdom has a total area of about 43,500 square miles, with a population of nearly 5,000,000. The birth-rate is considerably less than that of the other Balkan States, and emigration, chiefly to the United States, takes place at the rate of 25,000 persons annually. 177 M 178 KING GEORGE OF GREECE I have already alluded to the injustice done to Greece on the foundation of the kingdom by the o^uaranteeincr Powers in the matters of frontier and finance. From the time of King George's accession the development of the country was continually hampered by the burden of the public debt, until at last, in 1893, the Government was obliged to declare itself unable to fulfil its obliga- tions to its creditors. Since 1898, therefore, the Greek finances have been subject to the control of an international Commission, composed of six members, representing the six great Powers. To this Commission are assigned the revenues from the various Government monopolies, from the tobacco and stamp duties, and from the customs of the Piræus. The result of this arrangement has been entirely satisfactory, and has been reflected in the value of the currency. In less than ten years the exchange rose from a loss of 4.2^ per cent, to no more than 7 per cent, and by the close of 191 2 the value of the drachma reached par. At the same time the budget has shown a remarkable increase: in 1896 the revenue amounted to scarcely 88,000,000 drachmas, in 1905 the total had risen to 126,000,000, and now it is about 150,000,000. The foreign trade (imports and exports) amounted in 1896 to ^7,560,000; in 1905 to ^9,000,000; in 1 9 10 to ^11,840,000; and in 191 2 was close upon ;^ 1 3,000,000. KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER 179 I have already mentioned that when King Otho came to Greece there was not a single carriage road in the country. Three were constructed during the next thirty years, but in this as in all other matters the reign of King George has been the real period of progress. There are now about 3,700 miles of high road connecting all important points in the kingdom, constructed at a cost of 60,000,000 drachmas. The oldest railway, from the Piræus to Athens, was constructed in 1869, but by 1896 nearly 600 miles of line were open, and the total length is now about 1,000 miles, not including the territory recently acquired. Owing to Turkish obstruction Greece is the only country not connected with the European railway system ; the Thessalian line ends at Karalik Derveni, on what was until lately the northern frontier ; but doubtless it will not be long before the connection with Salonika is an accomplished fact. One of the most striking proofs of Greek progress under King George is the growth of the mercantile marine. Fifty years ago it con- sisted almost exclusively of small sailing ships engaged in the coasting trade. A few owners had already begun to build larger vessels for Mediterranean voyages, but the country had few steamers, and those of little value. Once a week an Austrian mail boat came into the Piræus ; otherwise cargo steamers were rarely seen. 180 KING GEORGE OF GREECE But things were soon to change. As the country grew in prosperity, merchant ships of every kind were built on King George's initiative, and the tonnage and size of the vessels steadily increased. In 191 1 the number of steamers was 347, with a tonnage of 384,446. Among these are several vessels of from 8,000 to 10,000 tons which are engaged in the steadily growing trade between Greece and the eastern ports of North and South America. For a long time there was rivalry between the Piræus, Patras, and Syra for precedence among Greek ports. During the War of Independence the Island of Syra had become an important trading centre ; fugitives from Constantinople and the Turkish islands collected here and founded the town of Hermopolis. So important was its maritime trade that Syra became known as "the Liverpool of the Levant." But the Piræus finally carried the day, and now the port of Athens incontestably holds the first place among the trading centres of the Ægean and Adriatic coasts ; even the Austrian emporium of Trieste has had to yield to it. The Greek national character has evidently changed but little in the course of the centuries. Now as of old trade and adventurous voyages have the greatest attraction for the Greeks. The slow, fatiguing, patient cultivation of the land and cattle-breeding would never have appealed to them. KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER ]81 even if their country had offered richer possibilities for an agricultural life than is actually the case. Count Capo d' I stria first saw the necessity of encouraging, and especially of educating, agri- culturists ; he founded a school of agriculture at Tiryns, but its life was a short one, for there were no pupils. King George, who always regarded agriculture with the greatest interest, attempted again and again to promote this industry. In 1887 three agricultural schools were established — at Athens, Tiryns, and Aidin, an estate in Thessaly, pre- sented for this object by a wealthy lady, Mme. Kassavati. But all these institutions had to be closed for lack of support. Finally, some ten years ago. King George succeeded in setting on foot an Agricultural Society on the Danish model. Contributions flowed in, King George himself accepted the Presidency ; two of the leading statesmen of the country, Theotokis and Zaimis, became vice - presidents, and delegates from all parts of the kingdom were elected to take part in the management. The object was, in the first instance, to help the small farmer. Experimental stations were established, instructors sent out, and educational leaflets spread all over the country. Then schools were opened for bee-culture and the cultivation of fruit-trees. Extensive experiments were made in Thessaly with Turkish tobaccos of fine quality ; Arab 182 KING GEOI^GE OF GREECE bloodstock was imported for improving the breed of horses ; male asses were brought from Italy and Cyprus for breeding mules ; pigs were im- ported from England and rams from Chios. The next step King George took was to hold annual exhibitions, at which valuable prizes were given. The latest agricultural machines were on view in public places, shown by competent men. Under Government control large quantities of genuine blue vitriol were annually imported for spraying vines, and finally the Society imports American vines on a large scale, for grafting on the Greek vines. This measure is of great importance, since the dreaded phylloxera never attacks American vines, or those upon which they have been grafted. As will be seen, the Greek Agricultural Society leads a very active existence, and it can now show good results, thanks to the never-ceasing efforts of King George. A movement of progress is per- ceptible in the whole agriculture of the country ; the use of manure and rotation of crops may now be seen in many places where formerly the most primitive methods prevailed. In another department King George rendered great service to his people, by establishing the first large milk supply in Athens. Three times a day excellent milk is sent out from a model dairy under the management of the Danish specialist, Lieutenant-Colonel Rahbek — an immense KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER 183 advance on former primitive and insanitary conditions. The present far-sighted Premier, M. Venizelos, afforded the King great support in the encourage- ment of agriculture. His efforts are directed to the purchase of large estates in all parts of the country, and their parcelling out in small holdings, and he has a scheme for the establishment of a mortgage bank for granting loans to farmers on easy terms. The followinor table shows the use to which the soil of Greece is put : — Under cultivation 1,430,000 hectares or 22.10 per cent, of the area Pasture . . 2,000,000 „ 31.22 ,, „ Woods and forests 820,000 ,, 12.67 » >• Unproductive . 2,198,800 ,, 34.01 ,, ,, Tobacco - growing is a steadily increasing industry, and the two kinds most cultivated are the Oriental varieties, nicotiana tabacum and nicotiana persica. The former is by far the more common, while the latter was only introduced a few years ago from Persia and Asia Minor. The greater part of the production is exported to Egypt to be made into cigarettes, which are chiefly con- sumed in England. It is a curious fact that the British public scorns cigarettes made in Greece, but is willing to pay a far higher price for the Egyptian article, made of Greek tobacco and by Greek labour. The soil and climate of Greece are better 184 KING GEORGE OF GREECE adapted to fruit and grapes than to any other form of cultivation. The coast districts are best suited to currants; at lOO to 150 feet above the sea the zone of olives begins, and above 300 feet is the best elevation for other fruit-trees, chestnuts, and vines. Even in prehistoric times vines were brought from Asia Minor to Greece, where they found an extremely favourable soil. Since then vine- growing has spread — with long interruptions, it is true — in the Peloponnese and in the islands to such an extent that the area planted is greater in proportion to the size of the country than that of any other land. Besides the wine- grape proper — vitis vimfera — two varieties are cultivated, familiar by the names of currants and sultanas. It is calculated that there are 200 varieties of grape in Greece, all different in colour, aroma, and proportion of sugar. Most of the products of Greek vineyards come under the head of sweet dessert wines, which contain a high percentage of alcohol and possess a strong bouquet. One of the best known is the " Malvoisy " or malmsey. Muscatel wines are produced in many of the islands ; that of Santorini is the best and is called vino di Bacco. The Ionian Islands produce excellent red wines, which are exported to France and used for blending. Zante sends out a kind of Tokay. As has already been said, the Greeks until KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER 185 recently used resin to improve the keeping qualities of their wines, but the acrid taste thus imparted to the wine made it useless for export. King George introduced improved methods at Tatoi, and others followed his example, Germans leading the way. The cultivation of the currant plays the most important part in the prosperity of Greece ; it first monopolised the whole southern shore of the Gulf of Corinth and then spread over the Peloponnese and the eastern islands. Not only has the export of currants long been the chief source of income, but at times it has had such great and unfortunate influence upon political life that the innocent little grape came to be regarded as a curse to the country. The increase in production during King George's reign has been enormous. In 185 1 the quantity was 40,500 tons; in 1871, 81,000 tons, and in 1891, 167,000 tons. In the year 1902, when the total exports of the kingdom amounted to 80,000,000 francs, 23,000,000 were due to currants, while olive oil, wine and tobacco together only accounted for 4,000,000. It will be seen from this what an important part the currant crop plays in the life of the country. In the seventies the phylloxera destroyed a great part of the French vintage ; the importation of currants for the manufacture of wine and brandy rose to an enormous extent, and with it the price. 186 KING GEORGE OF GREECE But twenty years later France had got over her difficulties and put an import duty on the Greek produce ; Russia and Germany followed her example. At the sajne time — in 1890 — the currant crop increased enormously ; over - pro- duction and falling prices led to a terrible crisis in the currant districts. The Government then hit upon artificial means of assisting the culti- vators ; the State was to buy up, at prices to be fixed annually, 20 per cent, of the production and distil alcohol from it. But this measure in reality only helped the producers of cheap and poor currants, and led to great dissatisfaction in the districts where the best qualities grow. Other expedients were tried : an English syndicate offered to take over the next twenty years' crops, estimated at an average of 150,000 tons, and to pay fixed prices according to quality. All the foreign repre- sentatives at Athens protested against this " currant monopoly," fearing exorbitant prices in the world's markets, and the proposal was defeated. But this again led to disorders in the currant districts, and a riot at Pyrgos caused the fall of the Theotokis Ministry. The production seems to be still rising ; the crop of 1909, for instance, gave 180,000 tons. Meanwhile the export to England is also increasing ; Canada and Australia have recently become good customers, while Italy and France use constantly increasing quantities for the manu- KING GEORGE AS A REFORMER 187 facture of alcohol and wine. In Greece itself a sort of wine — called Mistel—is now being pro- duced from currants, with from 11.5 to 15 per cent, of alcohol and a large proportion of sugar. This wine finds a market in America, Italy, and France. On the whole, therefore, we may still predict for the currant a handsome share in the economic existence of Greece. CHAPTER VII THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR The Cretan question has always been the stumbling-block of Greek politics, hindering the internal development of the country and render- ing its foreign relations difficult and uncertain. Without exaggeration the total sum that the Greek Treasury has had to furnish, directly for the maintenance of exiled Cretans and indirectly for mobilisations, naval expeditions, transport of troops and so on, may be reckoned at between 200,000,000 and 300,000,000 drachmas. With increasing fre- quency popular feeling was excited to an ever higher pitch by Turkish outrages against Christian kinsmen in the island. It was with a feeling of relief that the initiated saw the approach of the crisis — any final solution of the Cretan question, even if it involved great dangers to the kingdom and the dynasty, seemed preferable to a continuance of the intolerable situation. But a State that, with a clear comprehension of the danger, steers towards a fateful crisis, ought to follow a definite line of internal policy and to 188 THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 189 collect its strength, both financial and military, especially when the prospective adversary is ten times as strong. Unfortunately, Greek politicians had not sufficient patriotism to abandon petty quarrels and considerations of personal interest, which for so many years had disgraced the pro- ceedings of the legislative assembly, in order to concentrate their efforts on the welfare and develop- ment of the country. Nor had the Greek nation arrived at a sufficient degree of maturity to sweep aside the harmful elements among its representatives and join the head of the State in a common effort of reform. The nation was to reach this point, but not till much later. King and subjects were to go through great trials and disasters before they understood one another completely and united for the great deliverance. As things turned out, the period preceding the war of 1897 was marked by a financial policy reck- less in many ways, which weakened Greek credit abroad and made the creation of a much-needed war fund impossible. From the point of view of internal politics this period scarcely rises above previous barren and idle years, in which abilities and powers of a high order were wasted in the exhaustive warfare of rival ambitions. In the main this political period took the form of a duel between two remarkable and very different popular leaders, Trikoupis and Delyannis. Both were highly gifted men ; but they often opposed the 190 KING GEORGE OF GREECE wishes of King George, and were always violently and uncompromisingly hostile to each other. Even if both aimed at promoting the country's welfare, they were prevented from achieving anything by the bitterness of party struggle. What one built up, the other pulled down ; no useful work was eiven time to consolidate itself. Trikoupis was in education, appearance, and principles more of an Englishman than a Greek. Though his heart was filled with love of his country, he bore to the day of his death the foreign stamp, with which his compatriots could never entirely reconcile themselves. In spite of his external personal qualities, he quickly came to the front among politicians, being a man of great energy and sagacity, of immense industry, and a clear- headed, far-seeing tactician. He never condescended to improve his position by flattering the democracy. With a will of iron he tried to drive the country forward to a level of civilisation and development equal to that of Western Europe. He endeavoured to extend the system of roads and railways, to improve the posts and telegraphs, and — though not always with the same energy — to provide the country with an efficient army and navy ; but at the same time he gave the electors clearly to under- stand that such luxuries had to be paid for. Under his administration taxation was heavy, the tariff was increased, wine became dear and petroleum went up in price. These things were felt by the THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 191 poorer classes in town and country, and the Greeks, who are no more in love with taxation than other races, complained more and more loudly and re- garded Trikoupis's person and policy with increas- ing displeasure. The country always resounded with exultation when the " Englishman" was over- thrown ; but the enthusiasm over his opponent's victory cooled down somewhat rapidly as a rule, and confidence in the calm and self-relying "^rikoupis began to rise at a corresponding rate. The invari- able result was that at the next election he came in again with an overwhelming majority. Delyannis as a speaker possessed far more temperament and knew how to carry away his hearers by glowing and poetical language ; he was also a master of political tactics. Delyannis was at the same time a subtle diplomatist. When Greek minister in Paris he was able to form influential connections, which stood him in good stead later, on his appearance at the Berlin Congress. He was fortunate enough to be able to return to Athens with assurances from the Powers of a substantial extension of the northern frontier of Greece. This success won him gfreat popularity, and contributed in a special degree to the association of his name with the aspira- tions of Hellenic expansion. No one knew so well as Delyannis how to utilise Cretan unrest so as to strengthen his popu- larity. While Trikoupis always tried to lull the 192 KING GEORGE OF GREECE storm in the obvious interests of the Greek State, his rival took the very opposite course and thereby gained for himself a good deal of cheap favour. Thus, in 1890, Delyannis used the "Cretan Martyrdom " to defeat Trikoupis at the elections of October 26th, and resumed his old position of Premier. It cannot be denied that there were reasons enough at this time for the rapid growth of Greek chauvinism. Not only did the actions of the Sultan in Crete raise popular feeling time after time to fever heat, but Turkish oppression in Epirus and Macedonia seemed also to aim directly at rousing the Greek people. In January 1890, for instance, the Porte issued an edict forbidding the use of the Greek language in the elementary schools. After- wards bishops, independent of the Patriarch in Constantinople, were appointed to the Macedonian seas of Ochrida and Uskub. Both these measures gave rise to serious differences and the exchange of sharp notes betw^een Athens and the Turkish capital. Trikoupis's great plan — adopted several years later by Venizelos — was to unite the Balkan States in a provisional entente^ which was to prepare the way for an offensive and defensive alliance. Nothing could appear more natural than a confederation of the Christian states for the promotion of their common interests in the Balkan Peninsula. Among the first of these interests was the improvement THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 193 of the unhappy lot of the Christians in Novi Bazar, Monastir, Macedonia, and Thrace. In May 1891, Trikoupis made a tour of Servia, Bulgaria, and Rumania. Although the Greek statesman was everywhere well received, he soon saw that the idea was not yet ripe for realisation. The greatest opposition was shown by Stambuloff, the then all- powerful Premier of Bulgaria. Stambuloff's policy was at that time directed to maintaining the most friendly relations with the Sultan, and he declared that he would take no part in separating Macedonia "from his ally, Turkey" — an utterance which certainly has a humorous sound at the present day. In March 1892, a ministerial crisis of a peculiarly serious kind occurred. King George had watched Delyannis's ex- tremely reckless financial policy with increasing anxiety, and for a long time had tried to check it. When the Premier sought to impose fresh heavy taxation on the country, the King, contrary to his custom, stepped in and dismissed the Ministry in spite of its large majority in the Chamber. Konstantopoulos was invited to form a provisional business Ministry, the Chamber was dissolved, and a new election was fixed for May 15th. Although Delyannis and his adherents tried to turn the country upside down with mass meetings, pamphlets, and the influence of the innumerable newspapers his party could command, they were not successful in working up any feeling against 194 KING GEORGE OF GREECE the King. As has always happened when an appeal has been made from the Throne to the sound sense of the Greek people, his subjects rallied to King George in the full confidence that, superior to all petty considerations of party, he only had the welfare of the country at heart. The nation decided that its sovereign had acted rightly in depriving Delyannis of power, and showed it by returning Trikoupis and his followers with an overwhelming majority. For about a year the " Englishman " was at the head of the Government, and then again his time was over. The financial difficulties of the country necessitated a new loan, and on the failure of this the Cabinet had to resign. Sotiropoulos formed a new Ministry in May and arranged a loan of 100,000,000 drachmas through the firm of Hambro in London ; but when the Chamber met in November, the Government was found to be in a minority. Again it fell to Trikoupis's lot to form a Minis- try, which attained a life of over a year. In Janu- ary 1895, when the Chamber had adopted proposals for increased taxation, a strong feeling was roused in the country against Trikoupis's financial policy. Meetings of protest were held everywhere, and when the Premier gave orders to the police to disperse the crowds, indignation reached a dangerous height. The Crown Prince resolutely took the side of the people, on the ground that the right of public THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 195 meeting was infringed by the Minister's action. In the absence of the King, the Crown Prince provided miHtary protection for mass meetings ; and although Trikoupis still possessed a majority in the legislative assembly, he had to hand in his resignation. New elections were held, and Trikoupis suffered so decisive a defeat that he even lost his own seat. Delyannis once more came into power. Short as is this sketch of the interna' condition of Greece during the years preceding the war, it will perhaps show with sufficient clearness to what extent the interests and strength of the Greeks were wasted on barren political conflicts. Questions of personal power and a desperate manoeuvring of the finances, to cover steadily increasing deficits, far overshadowed the work of legislation and reform of which the country had so long stood in need. Neither the Army nor the Navy were brought to such a state of efficiency that the kingdom could venture upon war with a superior enemy with the remotest chance of success. But in spite of this, politicians did not shrink from exciting popular feeling or challenging Turkey in speeches and in print, and damaging their country in the public opinion of Europe. Not a few unprincipled party leaders saw a momentary advantage to be gained in dallying with the vanity of the nation and ridiculing the cautious attitude of the Govern- ment and the King, when matters were coming 196 KING GEORGE OF GREECE to a head in Crete. The self-confidence of the Greeks rose in proportion to their indignation at the outrages of the Turks. Every day the Opposition papers contained articles inciting to war with the hated traditional foe and accusing the Ministry of cowardice. What mattered the numerical superiority of the Turks, when every Greek was equal to four or five of the enemy in bravery and efficiency ? What had not Leonidas and Themistocles been able to achieve with their scanty followers in the glorious days of antiquity? Were not the Hellenes of the present day genuine descendants of the classical nation of heroes ? Of what account was the lack of guns, cavalry, commissariat, and money, if God in His justice supported the Cross against the Crescent? And was not the Christian army of the Greeks the defender of the faith, of the unprotected and oppressed ? When, therefore, the fateful days arrived, in which the Turkish atrocities in Crete seemed to cry to heaven for just punishment, in which flames and smoke enveloped the Christian quarter of Canea, in which defenceless Greek men, women, and children were massacred so that their bodies lay in heaps all over the island — then it was no longer within human power to curb the Greek desire for war, any more than it was conceivable that the Government, from the point of view of ordinary human feeling, could abandon the Cretans THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 197 to their fate. Ina rapid succession of events the two nations were hurled into the vortex of war, sweeping aside all arguments of reason and all warnings from the great Powers. Scarcely six weeks did this war last, which the Greek people had insisted on as noisily and thoughtlessly as a child cries for a new toy. A superficial estimate would declare the result of the war to be a decisive defeat for Greece and a great and significant victory for Turkey. So strangely, however, did things turn out, that the defeat encouraged the growth of the healthiest germs in the Greek people, and was the direct cause of a maturing of the whole Hellenic race, which could hardly have been produced by a long period of peace. And at the same time the victories of Turkey initiated that internal dis- integration and external debilitation which were to end in the complete collapse of the Sultan's rule within the boundaries of Christian Europe. The prelude to the war opened with the events in Crete of February 1897. Greek warships and torpedo boats were sent to Suda Bay, and Colonel Vassos with his 2,000 volunteers were transported to the island. This interference on the part of Greece in " the internal affairs of Turkey " gave the Sultan the long-desired opportunity of declaring war ; this step, however, was not taken till April 17th. Both countries employed the 198 KING GEORGE OF GREECE intervening time in mobilising, while the Powers tried to avert the imminent danger of war by notes alternating between threats and conciliation. That Greece could expect no help from the other Christian States of the Balkans was quickly- apparent ; and as for the great Powers, their influence, as so often before, was rather on the side of the Crescent than on that of the Cross. However, the Greeks did not feel that they stood alone. The many infamous deeds of the " red Sultan " — the most recent of which were the massacres in Crete and the slaughter of thousands of defenceless Armenians in the streets of Con- stantinople — had for a long time inflamed European public opinion against Turkey. And when Greece, in spite of her inferior military strength, so courageously championed the cause of Turkey's victims, sympathy turned naturally to the Hellenic side. Encouragement and approval reached the Greeks from almost every civilised community in the world, and offers of support, in money and volunteers, poured in. In the first place, of course, help came from Greeks abroad. Every- where large sums were collected ; wealthy men sent millions for the purchase of war material and the equipment of the reserve. From America, Europe, Asia Minor, and Egypt bands of young Hellenes flocked to the colours and demanded to be led against the enemy. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 199 I was myself seized by the same desire to defend the righteous cause ; I went to Athens at the beginning of March and reported myself as a volunteer to King George and to the Ministry of Marine. The King desired me to place myself at the disposal of Prince George, and a few days later I proceeded to Chalkis, where the Prince's squadron of torpedo boats lay, with his flag in the gunboat Kanaris. But before leaving Athens I was able to get a lively impression of a capital in the vortex of mobilisation and of a people possessed by the wildest war mania. Streets and squares were crammed with soldiers and townspeople. The roofs of the houses were like a sea of blue and white flags. At least half the population of Greece seemed to have poured into the capital, and this mass of people, from sheer excitement and nervousness, collected in groups, now here, now there, or drifted aimlessly through the streets and boulevards, from one open space to another, from the Boule to the Palace. "Zitos" were heard everywhere, in roaring chorus or shrill cries — cheers for the war, cheers for the King, for Crown Prince Constantine, the Commander-in- Chief of the nation's choice, cheers for the Army, death to the Turk ! Sharp bugle-calls rang through the air blended with the rattle of drums. A band of volunteers from Crete marched through Hermes Street to the Palace square, three burly monks heading the procession with the banner of Greece. 200 KING GEORGE OF GREECE People streamed out of the cafés, climbed upon tables and chairs, and shouts of " Zito " filled the air. The dark eyes flashed in the bronzed faces of the volunteers and their heads were held high. Then suddenly a distant military band struck up the brisk " Bersagliere March," and instantly the crowd flowed like a wave towards the Place de la Concorde. Nearer and nearer came the shrill notes and the rhythmical tramp of the men seemed to grow out of the noise of the street. The famous regiment of Evzones marched into the Place de la Constitution on its way to the Piræus, to the frontier, and to the enemy — the most magnificent fellows in the whole of Greece, scarcely a man of them under six feet. The dark blue jacket showed off their broad shoulders and their muscular gaitered legs stepped out briskly under the folds of the white fustanella. With rifles slung on the shoulder the proud regiment, formed in half sections, glided like a gigantic blue and white serpent across the open square and through the billowy sea of madly shouting and gesticulating human beings. The hotels were full to overflowinor. Corre- spondents from all countries of the world buzzed in and out like bees round the mouth of a hive. When would the war break out? What was happening in Crete ? Hadn't the Macedonians revolted yet ? What impression had the last note of the Powers made on the Greek Government ? Every train, every steamer, poured forth a fresh THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 201 crowd of volunteers upon Greek soil. Garibaldians from Italy, brave young fellows from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Great Britain, and America. Confused and with nowhere to go, they wandered in groups about the streets, carrying bundles and portmanteaux, and more than half regretting the hasty Philhellenic enthusiasm that had caught them and thrown them helplessly into this noisy ant-hill of Athens. Mobilisation went on apace, in spite of all the hubbub. Troops were constantly despatched by rail and steamer to Volo and Larissa, and west- ward through the Gulf of Corinth to Arta. On March 27th the Crown Prince left Athens with his staff to proceed to the frontier and lead the Army against the enemy. He assuredly did not share the warlike enthusiasm. The Prince with his clear and cool intelligence had long ago reckoned the chances ; they were scarcely one in ten. Defeat — in the long run, at all events, when Turkey had had time to bring her full strength to bear — that was the prospect that faced the youthful Greek Commander. If only it might be a defeat with honour. . . . Chalkis is the most important town in the long, narrow island of Euboea, which like a rocky mole protects the east coast of Greece against the Ægean Sea, and is continued by the line of the Cyciades. At Chalkis the channel between the 202 KING GEORGE OF GREECE island and the mainland narrows, and a rapid current rushes under the iron swingr-bridnfe that spans the strait. The ruins of a fine old Venetian castle flank the eastern end of the bridge with their battlements and towers ; below them lies the picturesque little white town, to which in remote antiquity the Phænicians came for the precious purple dye. Prince George had collected in the harbour of Chalkis his torpedo squadron, consisting of eleven boats, the flagship Kanaris and the transport Mykali, on which reserve torpedoes, guncotton, and mines were stored. I was at once acquainted with the provisional dispositions and plans of the fleet. Besides the torpedo division, two independent squadrons had been formed : the western under Commander Kosmos Zotos, consisting of the Admiral Miaulis, the Vasilevs Georgias, the coast defence vessels Aktion and Amvrakia, and four gunboats. Then there was the main eastern squadron, commanded by Admiral Konstantin Saktouris and made up of the three homogeneous armour-clads Hydra, Spetzai, and Psara, besides some corvettes and smaller vessels. The quiet efficiency and order on board the ships and torpedo boats was a welcome contrast to the confusion and noise of the land mobilisation. It did not take a professional eye long to estimate the value of such a fighting force as Prince George's. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 203 As regards officers, men, and material, both the torpedo squadron and the larger divisions of the fleet compared favourably in quality with the naval forces of any Western Power. It is only to be regretted that during the whole war the enemy hid like a coward behind the forts of the Dardanelles, and never ventured a naval engage- ment. As things turned out, the fleet had to confine itself to blockading the Turkish harbours and coasts and to supporting the land operations here and there, especially by the transport of troops, material, wounded, and so on. The campaign is called the Thessalian War, and it was at Larissa, the capital of Thessaly, that the various divisions of the eastern Army were con- centrated before the commencement of hostilities. Larissa is a town of about 18,000 inhabitants, of whom 2,000 are Jews and 1,500 Turks. The town is built on the right bank of the rapid Salamvria — the ancient Peneios — and has a pro- nounced oriental stamp, with many mosques and minarets. A wide bridge spans the river. The Greek Government had commenced the fortifica- tion of Larissa some time previously, but had not gone very far. Two batteries of 15-centimetre guns were placed in the old castle and commanded the plain in the direction of the most important frontier passes, Meluna and Bugasis. To the north of the town a couple of earthworks had been thrown up, mounting five guns, which could 204 KING GEORGE OF GREECE sweep the road leading to the Httle town of Kazaklar on the River Xerias, in the direction of the frontier range ; finally a few guns commanded the high road between Larissa and Trikkala, the most important town of the western plain — altogether a very inadequate provision for cover- ing the headquarters of the Army. The frontier between Greece and Turkey follows the mountains that enclose the Thessalian plain. These mountains here run nearly north and south. Several passes lead from Thessaly into the Turkish highlands ; the most important of them, as already mentioned, is Meluna, through which the road runs to Elassona, the strongly fortified headquarters of the Turks. Up to the time of the Crown Prince's arrival at Larissa and his assuming the direction of the campaign, the command had been in the hands of Major - General Makris. His dispositions had been made with the object of covering the long line of frontier right up to the Vale of Tempe — a very extended position, which possibly might have proved feasible if the Greek forces had been 100,000 men strong, but which in the actual cir- cumstances, with scarcely 40,000 properly trained troops, offered so many weak points that the enemy must have been able to break the line at any point where rapid concentration and attack could be brought to bear. The Crown Prince's first task was therefore THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 205 to alter the position of the troops as rapidly as possible, and to make the necessary dispositions in accordance with the definite instructions sent to headquarters from the Government in Athens, which were to be regarded as imperative for the whole course of the campaign — to act strictly on the defensive ; above all, to endeavour to prevent the enemy turning the flank of the Greek Army, and thus to keep the capital covered. This oft-repeated and strongly emphasised order to the Commander-in-Chief must be kept in mind in studying the course of the Thessalian campaign. The Government's attitude was en- tirely justifiable, considering the relative strength of the Greek and Turkish armies. The desir- ability of covering the capital throughout the line of retreat dictated by the geographical conditions — Larissa, Pharsala, Domokos, Thermopylae — was so obvious that all criticism of the sfeneral order quoted above must fall to the ground. On the other hand, the plans of Crown Prince Constantine were fettered in advance ; without hazarding everything he could not venture upon any serious collision with the enemy, but was compelled in all circumstances to think first of covering his retreat, sparing his troops, and, above all, not letting himself be forced into a decisive engagement in the open. Such methods of con- ducting a campaign demand immense resignation and a great deal of moral force — especially in 206 KING GEORGE OF GREECE a young General, to whom the whole fate of his country is entrusted. The task that weighed for the next two months on the Crown Prince's shoulders reminds one in many ways of that which was imposed upon the old and experienced Danish General de Meza in 1864 — the task of obeying the behests of prudence and caution and of exposing himself from the outset to all the harsh and unjust criticism that must necessarily result from the inevitable disappointments and shattered illusions of a people filled with naive warlike enthusiasm. Both Commanders, the young and the old, did their duty to their country, were overwhelmed with reproaches in the hour of disaster, but were justified and received reparation as soon as common-sense and intelligent criticism could make themselves heard. During the weeks preceding the outbreak of hostilities Turkey mobilised a part of its forces and sent to Elassona 99 battalions of infantry, 26 squadrons of cavalry, 24 field and 2 mountain batteries; altogether about 60,000 men with 156 guns. The western Army, which was concen- trated on Yanina, numbered about 30,000 infantry, cavalry, and artillery. It must be remembered, however, that these forces only comprised the first contingent ; reinforcements were continu- ally arriving. In the course of the war the Turkish railways conveyed in all 3,322 officers, 154,129 men, and 34,386 horses. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 207 The Sultan's troops in Epirus were commanded by Ferik Mustapha Hilmi Pasha, while Mushir Edhem Pasha, who led the Thessalian campaign, was appointed Commander-in-Chief after the capture of Pharsala. The Greek forces were distributed similarly to those of the Turks, an army corps under Colonel Manos being sent to Epirus. This force consisted of 15 infantry battalions, 8 batteries, 4 squadrons — of which, however, only three were mounted — and an engineer battalion. In all something over 20,000 men and 48 guns. The Greek Army on the frontier of Thessaly was composed of two divisions, each of two brigades. The divisions were commanded by Major-General Makris and Colonel Mavromichalis, the brigades by Colonels Dimopoulos, Mastrapas, Kaklamanos and Antoniades, the last-named being afterwards succeeded by Colonel Smolenski. The Crown Prince's Chief of the Staff was Colonel Sapoundzakis, a son of the Commander-in-Chief of 1886. Quite apart from the definite orders of the Greek Government to act strictly on the defensive, the Hellenic forces were but little fitted to take the offensive. The infantry was very deficiently trained, and their shooting as a rule was not seriously directed. The fire discipline which the Germans practised so successfully in 1870 was then unknown among Greek soldiers ; ammunition 208 KING GEORGE OF GREECE was often wasted, and almost every retiring move- ment was carried out in more or less disorder. The Greek artillery was considerably inferior to the Turkish, both as regards range of guns and quality of ammunition, besides which there was a serious shortage of horses, that often hindered the mobility of the batteries in action. Their position was, therefore, seldom changed during an engagement, although the Commander- in-Chief often enough required greater mobility in his artillery. Each battery had scarcely lOO horses at its disposal. In a like degree the cavalry suffered from shortage of horses and imperfect training, and was therefore very far from being able to perform the tasks demanded of this arm. The most serious drawback to the Greek Army during this brief war was the officers' lack of practical efficiency. Only very few had had any training in tactics and in the handling of large bodies of troops of various arms. In addition to this, the cadres were far from being completed. Several independent battalions of i,ooo to 1,500 men were commanded by a captain or a half-pay major, supported by a few not very efficient officers of the reserve. The commissariat was short of both material and personnel, and the provisioning of the troops was therefore carried out in a very unsatisfactory manner. Bread was the only food with which A GLIMPSE OF KING GKOR(;e',S HOUSE AT CORFU. Reproduced by gracious pcnnission from a photograph taken hy H.i>I. QuiiEN Alexandka. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 209 the men were supplied with any regularity. It is beyond all doubt that the fighting efficiency of the Greek troops was to a great extent decreased by defective commissariat arrangements. The transport was in a still worse state. General Makris tried, while the command was still in his hands, to organise the transport service by enlisting private carriers and owners of horses to do the work. The result was that on the first retiring movement the whole of this primitive organisation resolved itself into a wild stampede, and only a few remnants of it were to be found during the march of the Army from Larissa to Pharsala. Neither the railways nor the telegraphs gave the help that was expected of them, and the Army was sorely in need of specially trained corps for the important services of traffic and information. As an example I may mention that only one of the three telegraph lines that were officially sup- posed to maintain communication between the headquarters at Larissa and Athens was in working order. From what has been said above it will be sufficiently clear that Crown Prince Constantine on taking: over the command had more than enough to look after, and that he only wished for a few weeks' grace before the declaration of war, in order to be able in some measure to remedy o 210 KING GEORGE OF GREECE unfortunate dispositions and general lack of pre- paration. This, however, he was not to receive. In many quarters the most violent agitation was going on with the object of inflaming the passions of the Greeks and hastening the march of events. The society called Ethnike Etæria has in this respect a great deal to answer for, but neither the " Brotherhood of Mercy of Epirus," nor the " Brotherhood of Macedonia," nor " Hellenismos " left any stone unturned in the effort to excite the Greek population on both sides of the frontier. Just before the outbreak of war, and without the knowledge of the Greek Government, the Ethnike Etceria planned and carried out a raid into Macedonia to stir the Greeks of that province to revolt. April 1 8th was officially the first day of the war, when the fight for the important frontier passes of Meluna and Reveni was begun. On the Meluna Pass the Turks had a decided advantage in the nature of the ground. From the heights surrounding the Karadere valley they could command the whole field of battle, while just the opposite was the case at Dhamasi, from which the road through the Reveni Pass leads down to the plain. The River Xerias runs south through the narrow valley of Dhamasi, and the mountains on each side of the watercourse form a semi-circle, from which artillery can be used with great effect. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 211 At Reveni the Greeks advanced and occupied all the block-houses along the frontier, while the Turks retreated and concentrated at Vigla. Next morning Smolenski opened fire on the Turkish artillery and silenced it. By lo o'clock he sent word to the Crown Prince that he would be able to advance further, if he could be sup- ported by Dimopoulos's brigade. While waiting for this help he entrenched himself in the captured positions. Immediate orders were sent from headquarters in accordance with Smolenski's request ; but the divisional General did not obey them. In spite of the fact that the engagement had thus opened with a distinct success for the Greek arms, and that there was every possible reason for holding the ground that had been won. General Makris suddenly issued an order to retire. As soon as the Crown Prince learned this, he gave counter-orders immediately. But the favourable moment was past ; the decisive advance upon Dhamasi was not carried out. If General Makris had supported the attack, there is every proba- bility that Vigla would have fallen into the hands of the Greeks, and thus the road to Dhamasi would have been open. Edhem Pasha would then have been compelled, through fear of being surrounded, to withdraw from his positions at the foot of the Meluna Pass. Unfortunately, this was not to be the last time 212 KING GEORGE OF GREECE that the plans of the Commander-in-Chief were counteracted. The heights round the Meluna Pass and GritzovaH were defended by Mastrapas's brigade, supported by detachments of Dimopoulos's brigade, when on the morning of the 17th the Turkish batteries advanced and opened fire. Artillery fire was continued all day, supported by infantry fire on both sides. Towards evening the attack was repulsed ; the Greeks remained in their positions and were reinforced. On the morning of the i8th the Turkish artillery General, Riza Pasha, advanced along the road leading from Elassona to Meluna and opened an ineffective fire on the lofty Greek positions. Edhem Pasha, who was present in person, then gave orders to reinforce the main body and a brisk engagement ensued with vary- ing success, until towards sunset the Albanian columns were able to storm and capture the heights to the south of the Pass. Meluna was then in the hands of the Turks. In the course of the night Mastrapas's brigade retired in the direction of Mati. As early as noon on the i8th the Crown Prince had given General Makris orders to reinforce the troops engaged at Meluna. Instead of carrying out these orders, he kept the reinforcements at Dendra — halfway between Larissa and the frontier — while he himself and his staff rode to Tyrnavo. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 213 The General's conduct decided the issue. For twenty-four hours the Greeks fought bravely at Meluna, in spite of having neither food nor drink. Rapid and energetic reinforcement was all that was wanted to turn the scale, or at any rate to check the Turkish advance. But this was not enough : when General Makris reached Tyrnavo and there learned the result of the battle of Meluna, he and his staff continued their ride back by the Larissa road to Dendra. At ten in the evening the Crown Prince again sent to the General ordering him to advance as rapidly as possible towards Meluna and do his utmost to recapture the positions taken by the Turks. Instead of executing this order and moving forward, the divisional commander gave his troops orders to " retire fighting to the tete-de-pont of Larissa." Crown Prince Constantine was not immediately informed that General Makris had acted in direct opposition to the orders given him. There was still time to collect the reinforcements on the heights of Gritzovali and check the advance of the Turks. At the same time that the Crown Prince gave this order for a rapid reinforcement of the position at Gritzovali, the attack on Dhamasi was to be carried out. A galloper went with the necessary orders from the Commander-in-Chief to Colonel Mastrapas. But General Makris sent an officer 214 KING GEORGE OF GREECE immediately afterwards to the Colonel with the verbal message that the Crown Prince's orders were not to be carried out, but that the brigade was to commence a retiring movement. Only by the personal intervention of the Crown Prince and the sending of gallopers and orderly officers in all directions, was it possible to check the retreat that had been commenced. Once more the various detachments of the ist Division were collected along the ravine of the River Xerias and the strongly entrenched positions south of the frontier line ; but the attack on Dhamasi was not carried out, and all chances were wasted. Thanks to the conflicting orders and counter- orders, a confusion had arisen in the generalship, which even at this early stage of the campaign could not fail to result in a demoralisation of all ranks. If Edhem Pasha had seized the opportunity of at once forcing his way down to the Thessalian plain, it would have gone badly with the Greeks. But Turkish dilatoriness once more asserted itself. Edhem contented himself with occupying the abandoned trenches and rifle-pits, extending them and forming a camp just north of the Meluna Pass. On the morning of April 20th the Greek Commander-in-Chief succeeded in distributing the troops of the ist Division so as to defend the positions at Bugasi, Tyrnavo, Losphaki, and THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 215 Kritiri ; a force was also concentrated on Dendra — all to the south of the previous battlefield of Meluna. At 9 A.M. Turkish columns advanced over Gritzovali and the heights of Meluna and took up a position at Mati. Field batteries and a considerable force of cavalry followed, and during the afternoon fire was opened on the Greek entrenchments. The fire was replied to, and the artillery duel continued with no result worth mentioning till dark. The Crown Prince then gave General Makris orders to concentrate all available troops in order if possible to drive the enemy out of the captured positions and force him back upon Meluna. On the morning of the 21st Colonel Mastrapas advanced to the attack, disposing his brigade in two columns, one of which was to take the direction of Karatzoli, the other that of Kritiri. Meanwhile General Makris with his staff had arrived at Kritiri. From there he issued a divisional order which was in direct conflict with the dispositions of the Commander-in-Chief and entirely frustrated the contemplated attack. The Crown Prince was not informed of this, and continued to develop his plan of attack, giving orders to the Commander of the 2nd Division, Colonel Mavromichalis, to reinforce the advance of the ist Division as rapidly as possible. But General Makris, not content with again completely 21 r, KING GEORGE OF GREECE failing the Commander-in-Chief, handed over the command of his division to Colonel Mastrapas and rode with his staff to Larissa. Dimopoulos's brieade, which had orders to make a forced march from its position at Kutra to Kasaklar in order to take part in the intended attack, was delayed through going round by Larissa. Thus a whole day's precious time was lost. Meanwhile the Crown Prince had summoned both the divisional commanders to meet him at Kasaklar, with the object of compelling a forward movement. General Makris, however, maintained that the troops ought to retire on Larissa ; Colonel Mavromichalis was also against a forward move- ment. Nevertheless, the Crown Prince definitely insisted on his plans being carried out. Meanwhile the artillery duel was continued, while a Turkish division of about 10,000 men forced the passes to the north of the Vale of Tempe. To avoid being surrounded, the right wing of the Greek Army — Kaklamanos's brigade — had to withdraw from the neighbourhood of Nezeros and take up a new position to the north of Dereli. This left the way open for the Turkish division to advance in a southerly direction and to unite with the troops that had penetrated the Meluna Pass, or fall upon the rear of the first Greek division and possibly cut off its retreat on Larissa. THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 217 The last fight at the foot of the frontier range took place on April 23rd. There could scarcely be a doubt of the result. The Greek front extended over no less than 12 miles, from the Vale of Tempe, through Deliler and Mati to the plateau about Losphaki ; and even then the left wing was still 9 miles from the latter place. The Crown Prince's efforts to concentrate this extended and weak line of defence so as to offer vigorous opposition at its most threatened point, had been counteracted and precious time had been wasted. General Makris bears the chief responsibility for the unfortunate result of these early operations of the war. The disposi- tions of the Commander-in-Chief will bear even severe criticism, but no general can expect to lead his forces to victory if the commanders of division not only refuse to carry out the orders given them, but act in direct opposition to them. The Turkish Army was drawn up in a line stretching eastward from the foot of the Meluna Pass. Opposite to it the Greek force formed a semi-circle, the right wing being commanded by Colonel Mavromichalis and the left by Colonel Mastrapas. What the Greeks had to do was to hold their own for a certain time, as reinfo: ce- ments were on the way from Volo, via Larissa. But the Turks also expected reinforcements, so that neither side hurried the fio^htino". 218 KING GEORGE OF GREECE In the course of the forenoon the introductory artillery duel began, only slightly supported by infantry fire. Not till about one o'clock did the Turks commence an attack on the Greek right wing, which rested upon Kutari. Mavromichalis defended himself bravely and sent an urgent request to General Makris for reinforcements. At about four the Turks opened an attack on the left wing — near Kurtziovali — supported by a furious artillery fire. But the Greeks opposed the attack with great bravery and the infantry compelled the enemy to retire. By about six fighting died away everywhere. Had General Makris complied with Colonel Mavromichalis's request for reinforcements, the day would probably have ended in favour of the Greeks, since up to that time they had undoubtedly held their own better than the enemy, and at no decisive point had any retiring movement taken place. But, not content with remaining entirely passive the whole day. General Makris did not send a single battalion to the aid of the right wing. Once more time was wasted, and when, a couple of hours later, the Turks renewed the attack on the riofht wingf and at the same time sent two regiments of cavalry to make an enveloping movement followed by a flank attack, the Greek force was driven back. Almost simultaneously the Turkish division from Nezeros THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 219 succeeded in joining the main body at Meluna, and the issue of the battle was thus decided. As dayHght disappeared the sky was reddened by flames from the villages of Kutari and Deliler, which the Turks had taken and burnt. As matters now stood, with the enemy threaten- ing to surround both right and left wings, the Greeks could do nothing but retire upon Larissa. But this movement was hindered by the road being blocked. Rumours of the Turkish victory had spread to all the villages, and the inhabitants were seized with terror at the thought of Turkish barbarities as usually practised on the peaceful inhabitants of conquered districts. The population fled in thousands towards Larissa, blocking the road for miles with waggons, carts, pack-animals, goats and sheep. Then came the marching columns, squadron after squadron trotted down the road to Larissa, the field batteries came tearing along — and night fell over the country. In the midst of all this confusion the rumour got about that the enemy's Bashi-Bazouks were in hot pursuit of the retreating Greek Army. A panic ensued ; the crowded road was the scene of the wildest tumult and disorder ; men, women, and children were trampled to death, and the troops reached Larissa in the greatest confusion, mingled with flying bands of villagers. It was naturally expected that the Turks would take immediate advantage of their victory and 220 KING GEORGE OF GREECE pursue the Greek Army. In order to avoid the imminent danger of an investment of Larissa, the Commander-in-Chief decided to march the Army at once to Pharsala, which, in conjunction with Domokos and the Phourka Pass, forms Thessaly's second line of defence. As far as it could be done, the three brigade commanders, Colonels Dimopoulos, Mastrapas, and Kaklamanos, mustered all the scattered sections of both divisions, and began the retreat on Pharsala along two parallel roads. By the evening of April 25th the Greek Army, with the exception of Smolenski's brigade, was again collected. The Crown Prince had given the Foreign Legion orders to defend Larissa until the final evacuation had taken place. This was a fortunate arrangement, for when the inhabitants and the refugrees from the rural districts learned that Larissa was to be abandoned, several thousand people stormed the railway station to get to Volo, the nearest port. But the Foreign Legion did its duty. In the first place, all the sick and wounded were sent away, and then women and children were allowed to go. But it was impossible to prevent hundreds of men hanging on to the train, climbing to the roofs of the carriages and riding astride on the buffers. Over 3,000 people were thus conveyed to Volo, where the scenes of panic were continued. Here, again, the population was in flight, crowding on board every steamer, felucca, THE GRECO-TURKISH WAR 221 or caique. Terror of the advancing barbarians, the certainty of inhuman treatment awaiting every Greek who fell into the hands of the victorious Moslems, drove the inhabitants to sea. In reality there was no very urgent need of haste ; the Turks took their time. Only on the 25th — the day the Greek Army assembled at Pharsala — did the German-Turkish General, von Grumbckow, receive Edhem Pasha's permission to extend a reconnaissance as far as Larissa. He advanced to the tete-de-pont with 400 cavalry and a field battery, and was there received by an extremely irregular and ineffective rifle fire. A few rounds from his guns soon silenced the fire, whereupon von Grumbckow advanced to the walls of Larissa, and was received with joy by the Turkish population. Edhem Pasha was immediately informed of the evacuation of Larissa, and the same day the 5th and 6th Divisions of the Turkish Army occupied the town. The retreat of the Army from the frontier to Pharsala caused consternation and grief throughout Greece. It was as though a bandage had been suddenly removed from the nation's eyes. Every one could now see the inevitable result, and fanatical enthusiasm gave place to the most hopeless pessimism. The immediate result of the Greek defeat was the overthrow of the Government. A new 222 KING GEORGE OF GREECE Ministry under Ralli took charge of affairs, and lost no time in trying to open negotiations for a suspension of hostilities. The Sultan, however, was in no great hurry to negotiate, and operations were therefore continued with full vigour on both sides. CHAPTER VIII THE GREEK RETREAT Velestino and Pharsala That part of the Thessalian plain of which Larissa is the capital extends from the frontier range south-eastwards to the Gulf of Volo ; a railway- connects the two towns. About 6 miles to the west of Volo the line divides, sending a branch through the north - western part of the plain, through Trikkala. At the junction lies the little town of Velestino. If we follow the western line for about 15 miles, a picturesque, half- Turkish town comes into view, shadowed by its ancient acro- polis on the northern slope of Mount Khassiadiari. This town is Pharsala, and thither Crown Prince Constantine and his army had withdrawn to await the next onset of the enemy. The curtain went up on the second act of the drama, but, with the exception of the "scenery," the conditions had not changed appreciably from a tactical point of view. The Greek Army had come out of the frontier fighting without suffering a decisive defeat. On 223 224 KING GEORGE OF GREECE the whole, the troops had fought irreproachably ; at times, indeed, with a bravery that inspired the enemy with respect. The artillery had dis- tinguished itself on several occasions, and the Evzones maintained their old reputation for valour and coolness both in attack and defence. Dis- appointment and anger prevailed among officers of inferior rank and among the men at not being allowed to continue the struggle. The rank and file of the Army had no idea of the failure on the part of the divisional commanders, which had rendered the Commander - in - Chief powerless, and increased the chances of the enemy, already so considerable. But the feeling of uncertainty spread instinctively through all ranks and caused despondency. And when the retreat by night — in itself an excellent piece of strategy, which entirely misled the enemy as to the movements of the Greek Army — resolved itself into disastrous confusion and panic, keenness and high hopes gave way to the profoundest dejection, which here and there took the form of downright demoralisation. On his arrival at Larissa Edhem Pasha had no idea of the dispositions of the Greek Commander- in-Chief. The southern part of the plain, between Lake Karla and the Kara Dagh, was free of the enemy ; but whether the Greeks had established themselves at Volo or marched to Pharsala could not yet be determined. Only one thing was certain, that the Turks had let slip the oppor- THE GREEK RETREAT 225 tunity of either annihilating the enemy by vigorous pursuit or cutting off his Hne of retreat to the south. The Greeks had been given three days' grace, and in three days much may be done. Instead of immediately sending out cavalry to reconnoitre to the south and west, the Turkish Commander-in-Chief did nothing until April 27th. On the morning of that day twelve squadrons and one field battery were detached along the road between Larissa and Volo under Suleiman Pasha. When only half-way, Suleiman received informa- tion that Volo was only weakly occupied, but that Greek warships lay in the Gulf. He continued his advance to Rizomylon, where the road bends in an easterly direction to Volo, then turned to the south, where Velestino lies, and had just reached the heights that surround the little town in the form of a horse-shoe when a lively fire from the wooded slopes checked his further advance. After a short but brisk engagement the Turkish force retired and reached the village of Kileler, where it remained in bivouac. On marching his army to Pharsala the Crown Prince had, of course, to take precautions to cover the right flank and prevent any encircling move- ment to the south along the western shore of the Gulf of Volo, and at the same time to secure the railway communication between Volo and Pharsala, on which he depended for supplies. A mixed detachment, consisting of the 3rd Infantry Brigade, p 226 KING GEORGE OF GREECE one battalion of light infantry, two field and two mounted batteries, one squadron of cavalry, and one company of engineers, was therefore sent to Velestino on April 26th, under Colonel Smolenski, covered during the march by the whole of the cavalry. Velestino lies in a semi-circular valley, the north of which is open to the plain. In taking up his position Smolenski availed himself of two heights, Uvrids Ghala on the east and Karadaon on the west, which formed natural points of support for his right and left flanks. Between them lies a row of the curious Thessalian mounds, which one hesitates whether to call natural or artificial. These were connected by rifle-pits, and behind this centre one mountain and two field batteries were posted ; the reserve and the second mountain battery took up a position in front of the convent of Hagios Georgios farther up the valley. After the short engagement, already mentioned, with Sulieman Pasha's reconnoitring force, nothing of importance occurred before the 30th. Naim Pasha and his brigade were at Gherli, to the west of Lake Karla. During the night he formed his troops into two columns and began to march on Velestino, which he intended to attack early in the morning. The Turks advanced by Rizomylon, under cover of the woods, and the attack was directed partly against Karadaon, with the object of capturing the station, and partly THE GREEK RETREAT 227 against Uvrids Ghala, which forms the key to the pass leading to Volo. The strength of the Turks lay in infantry and cavalry, but artillery was only weakly represented. The attack on the Greeks' right wing was made with the greatest energy and dash, but was repulsed again and again by the well-entrenched Greek infantry and the mountain battery. Once or twice the fighting was hand-to-hand. Naim's second column made a simultaneous attack on Smolenski's left wing — Velestino and the Karadaon heights. Here again a mountain battery was in position, while a battalion of Evzones lay behind entrenchments. The Turks were received with a furious fire, which made their ranks waver. Then the infantry wheeled aside and made way for the cavalry. Seven squadrons under the command of Colonel Ibrahim Bey, and accompanied by the Sultan's aide-de-camp, Mahmud Bey, wheeled into line and advanced first at the trot and then at the gallop. It was a splendid sight to see the long ranks of Bashi-Bazouks in their motley uniforms with their sabres gleaming in the sunshine, as they made their mad assault up the slope against the Greek trenches and in the face of the battery, which poured shrapnel upon the enemy, so that horses and riders fell together and rolled down the hillside. And suddenly the brave Evzones rose from their cover and sent volley after volley 228 KING GEORGE OF GREECE into the enemy. With that the assault was repulsed ; the remnant of the Turkish squadrons turned about and fled in confusion from Velestino, covered by the woods of Rizomylon. At sunset Nairn Pasha's whole force retired to Gherli and bivouacked. It was a brilliant victory for the Greek arms. The Turks lost about i,ooo killed, wounded, and prisoners, and over 400 dead horses marked the line of the cavalry charge. West of Velestino the railway line to Pharsala mounts Mavro Vouni (the Black Mountain), the southern spur of the Kara Dagh range, and descends again into the plain. Here lies the station of Aivali ; and as Colonel Smolenski had reason to suppose that the Turks' next attack would be made with the object of cutting him off from the main Army at Pharsala, he sent a request for reinforcements for the defence of this railway station. The Crown Prince immediately despatched a battalion of light infantry to the point threatened. In the course of the following days Smolenski strengthened the position, but no attack was made by the enemy. On the morning of May 5th the Turks again advanced with a force of about 6,000 men against the Greek left wing and opened fire at a range of 2,000 yards. A violent storm hid the opposing forces from each other for a time, but soon after the fighting became general. An infantry THE GREEK RETREAT 229 battalion and a mountain battery were detached from Velestino as reinforcements. In the course of the afternoon the extreme left wing was repeatedly attacked, but the battalion at Aivali repulsed the enemy with great vigour. By six o'clock the Turks had assembled a large force behind the heights in front of Velestino for a final attack. Colonel Smolenski saw the serious- ness of the situation, being opposed by numbers greatly superior to his own. Before the commence- ment of the attack he rode along the ranks and exhorted his men to bravery and discipline, remind- ing them of the heroism of their forefathers. And when the enemy came on, the Greeks were full of fight — the time had come to conquer or die. Volley after volley was poured into the ad- vancing enemy, and then the Greeks charged with the bayonet and drove the Turks back. The day ended with a complete victory for the Greek arms, and the soldiers had once more shown that under capable leadership they possessed excellent fighting qualities. Smolenski was convinced that the enemy's plan on the following day would consist of an enveloping movement with his left wing, covered by the woods of Rizomylon and an attack on the Greek centre. He was right. May 6th began in the most glorious summer weather ; the sun gleamed on the broad surface of Lake Karla and lighted up the snowy summit 230 KING GEORGE OF GREECE of distant Olympus. A Turkish force of about 1 5,000 men advanced over the north-western slope of the Kara Dagh ; between this and Velestino were the lines of Greek skirmishers, which were continued towards Uvrids Ghala. The east and west flanks were covered by the mountain and field batteries. As Edhem Pasha's regiments advanced, the field-guns east of Velestino opened fire with con- siderable effect. The attack was directed against the centre, but was repulsed with great bravery, and between twelve and one the fire slackened on both sides. The fight was still raging along the Greek left flank, where a Turkish battery was silenced. The Turkish right wing then received reinforcements, the attack was renewed with great vigour, but was again repulsed. At this point considerable reinforc&ments of Turkish infantry and cavalry could be seen advancing along the shore of Lake Karla and by the edge of the woods. Towards five o'clock the enemy made a fresh attack, preceded by heavy artillery fire. By this time the Greeks had almost exhausted their artillery ammunition ; Smolenski had to yield to circumstances and gave his right wing the order to retire. A moment later the overwhelmingly superior force of the Turks advanced from the west and north. The Greek retreat was carried out in perfect order. A final train with 200 wounded THE GREEK RETREAT 231 was got off to Volo, vigorously shelled by the Turks — and then the railway line was cut. The effect of the last attack was actually to split Smolenski's brigade into two, and if the enemy had acted with any energy they might easily have annihilated the greater part of the Greek force ; but no pursuit was undertaken. Presumably, Smolenski had to thank a sudden storm to some extent for the Turkish inactivity. As it was, the Brigadier with the centre and the left winp- was able in the course of the nigrht to march in good order southward to Halmyros. The right wing withdrew in some disorder across the difficult orround eastward to Volo. o A narrow valley running east and west divides the range of Kara Dagh from Mount Khassiadiari, at the sloping foot of which the town of Pharsala is built. Behind the little town — which has some 4,000 inhabitants — rises a two-peaked hill with the remains of the ancient citadel, from which a magnificent view of the plain of Thessaly may be obtained. The bold rocks of the monasteries of Meteora are visible to the north-west ; on the north Olympus rises majestically, and on the north- east and east the domed summits of Ossa and Pelion are outlined against the clear blue sky. Pharsala — the Turkish name of which is Tchataldja — can trace its history back to the remotest times. Some authorities identify it with Phthia, the home of Achilles. It is, of course, 232 KING GEORGE OF GREECE best known from the battle between Cæsar and Pompey in 48 B.C. The plain in front of Pharsala is about six miles broad, intersected by the railway line and by the bed of the River Enipeus. Just north of the line the stream is spanned by the seven pointed arches of an ancient bridge. Four villages lie on the northern bank ; Driskeui, Tatari, Alchani, and Bekides ; these were occupied by five battalions of light infantry, supported by two mountain batteries. The 1st Division was in position at Rhizi, from which the road from Pharsala runs south to Domokos, while the 2nd Division entrenched itself to the west of the road leading from the town to the railway station. The field batteries of both divisions were posted to the north-west of the Domokos road. Cavalry scouts and reconnoitring parties were sent in all directions, and it was the young Swedish volunteer, Baron Blixen-Finecke, who first located a Turkish brigade of 10,000 men encamped at Karademarzi, half-way between Pharsala and Velestino. At the same time in- formation came in that another hostile force was operating around Karditza — a little town in the middle of the western plain. Crown Prince Constantine prepared to receive the enemy. His position was a strong one, but liable to be turned by way of the western roads and passes. He had scarcely more than 25,000 really efficient troops at his disposal, while the THE GREEK RETREAT 233 enemy's force was nearly treble this, besides which the Army had lost heart — especially in the higher ranks. The division and brigade com- manders had declared to the Commander-in-Chief on April 27th, that "the Army was no longer in fig"htinor condition." These were not exactly the best auspices for the approaching battle, and, in view of obvious contingencies, the Crown Prince found it advis- able, as early as the 29th, to send two infantry battalions and a mountain battery southward to occupy Domokos. Every precaution, in fact, was taken to keep the line of retreat open. Further, on ist May the 5th Regiment of infantry received orders to march alono- the intended line of retreat O and occupy several points on its course. It was, in fact, clear from various reconnaissances that Edhem Pasha's plan was to cut off the retreat of the Greek Army and thus end the campaign at a stroke and open the way for the Turkish march on Athens. On the morning of May 5th information came in from the outposts of the advance of the enemy, formed in five columns with the cavalry leading. At a little after nine the Turkish artillery un- limbered and opened fire on the four villages above-mentioned and on the railway, which was held by the advanced battalions of the Greeks. The fire was returned, and soon the engagement developed along the whole line in front of Pharsala. 284 KING GEORGE OF GREECE The most important point of the Greek right wing was the village of Alchani, where a pass leads across the plain to the east of Pharsala. Another extremely important point was the hill of Teke, to capture which the Turks exerted them- selves to the utm-ost, since it offered an excellent position for shelling the Greek lines. Soon after the commencement of the action the outposts retired to Tatari, south of Teke. The Crown Prince then ordered the ist Division to advance in a north-westerly direction to Driskeui and there take up a position ; at the same time he sent word to the commander of the outposts to resume his forward positions. Unfortunately, the ist Division did not execute its forward move- ment with any great rapidity, and thus did not arrive in time to support the courageous defence of the Foreign Legion under Captain Birch and of the nth Light Infantry battalion. Both corps retired on Driskeui, where they repulsed repeated assaults. Until now only the Turkish advanced guard had been in action, but at this point column after column poured down from the northern heights into the plain. Shortly afterwards Teke was stormed and carried by the Turks, and from the top of the hill a murderous fire was opened on the Greeks. Around Driskeui the fighting raged hotly ; one Greek battalion after another fell back. Last of THE GREEK RETREAT 285 all the Foreign Legion held its ground with true heroism, but the much-needed support was lacking ; Captain Birch was wounded, and the Legion had to retire under a furious hail of bullets, carrying their idolised leader into safety. During this time the ist Division had remained inactive. The Crown Prince then sent orders to General Makris to occupy the railway station, and with this object to call in the 4th Regiment of infantry. At the same time the commander of the 2nd Division was directed to cover the road from Pharsala to Domokos. On the left of the division three companies of engineers and three mountain batteries took up their position, while the reserve maintained communication between the two divisions. This defensive position, forming a semi-circular front, was designed to counteract the enveloping movement evidently contemplated by the enemy. The ist Division did not carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, but contented itself with occupying the railway station with one company. The Turkish advance continued, and the Greeks had to retire across the Epineus. Terrible losses occurred at the old bridge, which the Foreign Legion was the last to cross. The Greek forces rallied again south of the river for a vigorous defence of the railway, but the Turks pressed on in overwhelming masses. While the artillery at Teke and Tatari kept up 286 KINCx GEORGE OF GREECE a hot fire, the cavalry regiments crossed the Epineus, and threatened the Greek flank into a hasty retreat. By five o'clock fighting was going on round the railway station, and soon it and the whole embankment were in the hands of the enemy. For an hour and a half longer the battle raged about the foot of the Pharsala heights ; the 2nd Division bravely repulsed every attempt of the enemy to surround the position, while the ist Division defended the centre with the energy of despair. At about half-past six firing slackened along the whole line ; the battle was at an end. On both sides the troops remained in the positions they had won. Pharsala was eminently adapted for the scene of a last heroic struggle, as the heights could easily be defended even by a far smaller force than that of the Greeks. But had the Crown Prince decided to continue the defence even for a single day, the eventuality most dreaded by the Government at Athens would inevitably have been realised — Pharsala would have been the Sedan of the Greek Army. Detachments that had been sent immediately on the occupation of Pharsala to cover Trikkala and Korditza, and that rejoined the main force on the evening of the battle, brought information of continual movements of Turkish columns in a south-westerly direction, with the unmistakable THE GREEK RETREAT 237 object of marching to the west of the ridge of Khassiadiari through the plain that extends southward almost to Domokos. Gallopers from Velestino arrived with intelligence of Colonel Smolenski's threatened position. If the follow- ing day should see his brigade defeated or forced to retire, the Turks would be able to draw additional reinforcements from the east for a renewed attack on Pharsala. After a council of war the Commander-in- Chief therefore decided in the course of the night to withdraw the Army to Domokos. This decision was carried out without any molestation from the enemy. Domokos Half-way between Pharsala and the important town of Lamia lies Domokos, 1,500 feet above the plain, on the steep northern slope of Mount Othrys. A valley here divides this hill from Mount Khassiadiari, to the north of which Pharsala stands. Domokos was called in ancient days Thaumakoi, meaning "wonder-city," doubtless on account of the extraordinary beauty and picturesqueness of its situation. Like nearly all ancient Greek cities Domokos is crowned by the imposing ruins of its ancient fortress, which occupy the summit of the bare rocky hill. On the east and west the ridge is broken by deep gullies. Close to Domokos 288 KING GEORGE OF GREECE the main road from Lamia makes a sharp turn and then zigzags down to the plain. On the west mountain chains extend far into the country, penetrated by the pass of Ashagha Agoriani. Mount Khassiadiari may be traversed from Pharsala to the south by three routes : on the west by Rhizi, in the middle by Seterli, and by an eastern mountain path through Kislar, from which again a side road leads to Halmyros. All these three roads were used by Edhem Pasha when proceeding to the attack of Domokos. On May 6th, when the Greek Army was collected in and about Domokos, Dimopoulos's brigade received orders to occupy the three passes over Khassiadiari. On the following day Mastrapas's brigade took up a position on the right flank at Vusi and Gerakli, while the other two brigades defended the centre and the left wing. The Greek position extended for about seven miles along the slope from Domokos west- ward to the villages of Kutzeri and Kikiti, besides a considerable distance to the north-east. It was of special importance to defend the Agoriani Pass on the west, through which the Athens-Larissa railway now runs ; this was just the road by which the enemy might surround the Greek position. This critical point was defended by about 5,000 men, including the Foreign Legion and the Garibaldians, and by three batteries of mountain artillery. A force THE GREEK RETREAT 239 about double this was before Domokos, with five batteries of field and mountain guns. The right wing was about 10,000 strong, and the reserve was drawn up on the slope to the east of Domokos. Altogether the Crown Prince had rather more than 30,000 men at his disposal. The left wing was commanded by Colonel Mavromichalis, the right by General Makris. Shortly after the main Army had taken up its positions before Domokos, Colonel Smolenski undertook a movement to the south, marching his brigade from Halmyros to Sourpi, close to the entrance of the Gulf of Volo. Here his right flank could be supported by the fleet. Edhem Pasha had removed his headquarters to Pharsala, and from here the attack on Domokos was now planned. Although the superiority of the Turkish force was very considerable, Edhem found it advisable to obtain all the reinforcements possible. From the camp by the Meluna Pass, from Larissa and from Trikkala all available troops were drawn, besides supplies of provisions, ammunition, etc. The Turkish force was thus brought up to about 80,000 men. Bearing in mind the experiences of Velestino and Pharsala, Edhem Pasha was not inclined to expose his troops in a direct attack from the plain up the slopes of Domokos ; the point was therefore to strike at the enemy by an enveloping movement. The plan of operations was drawn 240 KING GEORGE OF GREECE up with this object in view. Simultaneously with a vigorous attack on Domokos by the main Turkish force, General Hakki Pasha was to move against Smolenski's brigade. For political reasons it was necessary to hasten the operations and drive the Greeks out of their positions and further to the south. The Sultan hoped on the conclusion of peace to ofet the frontier moved back to the old line before 1881, and this line ran just over Mount Othrys, to the south of the spot where Domokos lies. What further helped to spur on the other- wise not particularly enterprising Turkish Com- mander - in - Chief was the circumstance that negotiations for an armistice were then 'proceed- ing with every prospect of an early result. The Ministers of the Powers at Athens were in fact using their endeavours to bring hostilities to a close. On May nth the Greek Foreign Minister, M. Skouloudes, received the doyen of the diplomatic corps, the Russian Ambassador, who handed him the following note : — " The representatives of France, Italy, Great Britain, Germany and Austria - Hungary hereby authorise the senior member of the diplomatic corps, M. Onou, to declare in the name of their respective Governments that the Powers are ready to offer their assistance in bringing about an armistice and in removing the difficulties that have arisen between Greece and Turkey, upon the KING GEORGE IN A CORNER OF HIS GARDEN AT CORFU. Reproduced by gracious pel luisslcn from a /thotograph taken by H.M. QuEEN Alexandka, THE GREEK RETREAT 241 condition, however, that the Greek Government recalls its troops from Crete and acknowledges the autonomy of the island." The Government's reply was as follows : — " His Majesty's Government acknowledges the receipt of the communication of the Powers and informs them that it has already taken steps to recall the troops from Crete, that it acknow- ledges the autonomy of the island, and that it accepts the Powers' offer of mediation." This exchange of notes was immediately telegraphed to the Porte, but the Sultan refused to enter into any negotiations for an armistice, " so as not to give the Greeks an opportunity of using it to reorganise their forces." The Sultan was willing, however, to negotiate on the final terms of peace. He declared that he would not contest Cretan autonomy, but demanded a comprehensive rectification of the frontier. Upon a further application the Porte declared that under no circumstances could there be any question of an armistice until after the Beiram festival, which was held on May i6th. Meanwhile the Greek Government was exert- ing itself to the utmost to continue the struggle and strengthen the defence of the country. Large orders for field and mountain guns, with the necessary ammunition, were placed in France, Germany, and Austria. Contracts were made for Q 242 KING GEORGE OF GREECE all kinds of military stores, uniforms, boots, etc. All the troops that could still be got together — regulars and irregulars — were sent north to Domokos to strengthen the line of defence along the old Turkish frontier. Among these rein- forcements were 800 Garibaldians under Ricciotti Garibaldi. From May loth Edhem Pasha had daily recon- naissances carried out by considerable bodies of troops, and several skirmishes took place between the Turks and the Greek outposts on the left front. On May 15th the Crown Prince sent orders to Smolenski's brigade to rejoin the main Army, and to take up a position on the right flank, in order thus to concentrate the whole Thessalian Army on Domokos — an arrangement which must appear very reasonable, considering the immense superiority of the enemy's force. But the Government at Athens now interfered directly in the dispositions of the Commander-in-Chief with an order — of May i6th — to Colonel Smolenski to remain in his position. Furthermore, the Minister of War sent instructions on the same day that the Army was to keep strictly on the defensive and not to make any attack, unless the safety of the Army absolutely demanded it. On May 17th the following Greek forces were drawn up to receive the enemy : on the right wing, 28 companies of infantry and 1 2 guns ; in the centre, 52 companies and 29 guns, and on the left wing, 35 THE GREEK RETREAT 243 companies and 29 guns. The reserve was made up of 24 companies, 7 squadrons of cavalry, 12 guns and 3 companies of engineers. To these must be added the volunteers, who were to defend the valley round Kitiki and the pass by Tsatmas. At 6.30 A.M. the outposts reported that the enemy's columns were advancing by Rhizi and by the other roads leading over the heights of Khassiadiari. An hour and a half later two more strong columns came in sight, moving along the high road from Pharsala to Domokos. As the Turkish Army deployed it became apparent that the Greek centre and left were opposed by about 50,000 men, while over 25,000 were advancing against the right. The engagement was opened by the Turkish front along the slopes of Khassiadiari with a lively artillery fire, while the columns on the west deployed on the plain and took up a fighting posi- tion in front of the village of Pournari, which was immediately afterwards seen to be in flames. Two 15-centimetre Krupp guns had been placed in the old castle, and from this high position the Greeks had opened fire on the advancing Turks and caused great confusion in their ranks. The mountain artillery and field guns then came into action. Time after time the Turks charged, but were always repulsed by the well-directed rifle fire of the Evzones and the Foreign Legion. The enemy's loss was heavy, but it was also 244 KING GEORGE OF GREECE considerable on the Greek side ; the brave Garibaldians had already 60 killed and wounded. After a short breathing space the Turks came on again and made a furious assault on the passes of Agoriani and Skarmitsa. At Agoriani the English volunteer corps and the little Danish force specially distinguished themselves. From the western slopes of Khassiadiari a Turkish brigade of about 8,000 men now charged forward with great impetuosity. The Greek batteries, posted in rear of the infantry, served their guns splendidly, but were not able to check the enemy's rush. The Garibaldians, who were defending the flank, reserved their fire until the enemy was quite close, and then fired a couple of volleys with deadly effect. Ricciotti Garibaldi then led his men in a bayonet charge and drove the Turks in headlong flight over the plain. It was in this sharp fight that the Italian deputy, Signor Fratti, was killed. Meanwhile, other Turkish battalions were ad- vancing against Katagori, below which the Foreign Legion and other troops were in position. The Englishmen and Danes fired alternate volleys with the greatest coolness and checked the enemy's advance. Soon the ranks wavered and broke, and, joining the Garibaldians, who at that moment had reached the level ground, the Foreign Legion rushed forward with the bayonet and completely repulsed the enemy. On this occasion the brave THE GREEK RETREAT 245 and capable commander of the Legion, Captain Veratasse, fell mortally wounded. The engagement was developing with great energy along the Greek centre and right. General Makris had been reinforced by 3,000 men and 2 mountain batteries. The artillery fire raged un- ceasingly ; one assault after another was made on the Evzones and the 2nd and loth Regiments of infantry. But these troops stood immovable, and their cool and well - aimed fire drove back every attack. Colonel Mavromichalis drew the last reserves of about 3,000 men. Just as he ^ had got them in position in front of Domokos, the Colonel was wounded in the hip by a rifle-bullet. Without showing any sign, he walked his horse in rear of the line, until, faint from loss of blood, he reeled in the saddle and fell to the ground. At about the same time his nephew and aide - de - camp, Georgios Mavromichalis — one of the bravest and most capable young officers in the Army — was shot through the brain and killed on the spot. While the left and the centre held their own well during the battle and maintained their positions, it was the right flank and extreme right wing that decided the issue. The enemy had opened the attack early in the day with a crushing superiority of numbers. For a long time the Greeks stood their ground bravely, and it looked as though the defence would be successful here as elsewhere, 246 KING GEORGE OF GREECE especially after the arrival of reinforcements. But in the course of the afternoon the assault was renewed on the village of Kotseli, where the 7th battalion of Evzones was posted, and this was driven back. The same fate befell the force defending Karad Jaly, nearer the centre. General Makris was then obliged to order the whole right wing to retire. This retreat ended the battle ; the sun was setting and firing ceased. On the whole the honours of the day were with the Greek Army. Its soldiers had fought from early morning with the utmost bravery and endurance ; almost everywhere its positions had been held, or even advanced. But the strength of the Turks was far from exhausted. It was obvious that the attack would be renewed on the following day with increased vigour, for negotiations for an armistice were going on apace. Of this Edhem Pasha was informed from Constantinople. What could not fail to determine the plans of the Greek Commander-in-Chief was the circumstance that the ist Division — the right wing — had actually been driven back, and that this in- volved the imminent danger of a turning movement which would cut off the line of retreat to Lamia. The Crown Prince gave orders for the Army to retire in the course of the night to the second line of defence of the Othrys Mountains. The commander of the 3rd Brigade was given the THE GREEK RETREAT 247 task of holding all the eastern passes leading across the range ; but this order was counter- manded by the Government at Athens, who instructed the brigade to march to Lamia. At 2 A.M. the rest of the Army began the retreat. Although Edhem Pasha had been informed that the Greeks had sent off their wounded to Lamia as early as the afternoon of the 17th, the retreat came as a surprise to him, in view of the excellent behaviour of the troops during the battle, which was to be regarded as at least a partial victory for the Greek arms. This time Edhem determined to organise a vigorous pursuit and issued an army order, according to which the whole Turkish Army was to follow up the enemy in the direction of the Phourka Pass. This plan, however, was altered, so that only one division and the cavalry proceeded to the south. The rest of the Army stayed at Domokos, to which place Edhem Pasha removed his headquarters. Favoured by bright moonlight the Greek Army had begun its retreat in perfect order. About half-way between Domokos and Lamia runs the road which from time immemorial has led from Greece into Thessaly through the narrow Phourka Pass, above which the convent of Antinitsa was built in the Middle Ages. Through this spot the old frontier line was drawn. Early on the morning of the i8th the extreme 248 KING GEORGE OF GREECE left wing of the Turkish Army moved forward, and as Hassan's brigade, of Hamdy's division, arrived within three miles of Domokos, its com- mander learned that the town was already evacuated. He then decided on his own initiative to pursue the enemy, and after an extremely rapid march came in sight of the Phourka Pass at 9 a.m. Although he here met with Mashar's brigade, the General in command, Hamdy Pasha, did not con- sider himself strong enough to attack the Greek columns, which were now moving through the shadows of the Pass. He therefore sent an urgent message to Edhem Pasha and received a reinforce- ment of four battalions. With the whole force at his disposal he then attacked the rear guard of the Greeks, which consisted of two infantry regiments, one battalion of Evzones, two companies of engineers, four field batteries, and some cavalry. An engagement ensued which lasted till midnight, without the Turks gaining any advantage. Meanwhile, quite unexpectedly, Hamdy Pasha received very effective support. Memduk's division, it appeared, had been moving the whole day towards the Phourka Pass, along difficult bridle- paths, and towards sunset had reached the eastern heights of the Pass. As these were strongly held by the Greeks, Memduk Pasha decided to turn the Greek flank and storm the convent of Antinitsa with his Albanian battalions. In this he was successful. THE GREEK RETREAT 249 General Makris, whose division was in the Pass, gave orders to the ist Brigade to occupy the western heights, while the 2nd Brigade took up a position on the east ; one regiment was sent to Antinitsa. In spite of the enemy being so near that an attack was to be feared at any moment, the troops bivouacked. The Greeks were there- fore fairly taken by surprise, and the Pass had to be evacuated. While the Greek Army withdrew to the south, the Turks occupied the Phourka heights, the convent of Antinitsa, and the old Greek block-houses along the former frontier, from which the eye sweeps in a wonderful panorama over the Valley of Lamia, the Pass of Thermopylae and the blue Ægean. At 9 A.M. on May 19th Edhem Pasha rode up over the heights of Phourka, where Hamdy 's division was drawn up on parade. The band played the Hamidieh March and the soldiers received the Commander-in-Chief with enthusiastic shouts of " Long live the Padishah ! " It was a great day for the Turkish Army of Thessaly. The enemy was vanquished, the old frontier line reached ; and Edhem received a telegram of congratulation from the Sultan. This was to be the last triumph of Turkish arms on Hellenic soil. The rejoicings of the victorious Turks were somewhat dashed by the immediately ensuing fight at the village of Taratsa, where General Makris 250 KING GEORGE OF GREECE was encamped with his division to the north of Lamia. Edhem Pasha, who had already received intelhgence from Constantinople of the conclusion of an armistice, thought he might, nevertheless, follow Nelson's glorious example at Copenhagen and "put the telescope to his blind eye." By a vigorous dash he might perhaps still be able to occupy Lamia and the valley of the Sperchios, which would be of importance in the event of a resumption of hostilities. For the execution of this plan he chose Seffullah Pasha's regiments of cavalry, Hamdy's division, and Haider's brigade. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Constantine, after making the necessary dispositions, had gone with his staff to Sourpi, to confer with Smolenski, who had been promoted to General after the battle of Velestino. From there the Crown Prince rode to Taratsa, arriving just as the Turkish columns came in touch with General Makris's division. The engagement was short, but sharp ; the Turkish attack was repulsed, and Edhem's force had to retire. At the close of the fight the Crown Prince received news of the armistice. Officers from the Greek and Turkish Armies met to determine a neutral zone, which was not to be encroached upon by either side. This actually brought the Thessalian War to an end ; it was succeeded by protracted negotia- tions for a conclusion of peace. THE GREEK RETREAT 251 Edhem Pasha divided his Army into camps at Velestino, Halmyros, Domokos, and Phourka. The Crown Prince left the ist Division at Taratsa, while he himself collected and reorganised the rest of the Army in the classic defensive position of Thermopylae. It was evident, however, that hostilities would not be resumed. The volunteers, the Foreign Learion and the Garibaldians were therefore dis- banded. From his headquarters at San Marino the Crown Prince issued the following order of the day : — " To i he Foreign Legion, noiv about to leave the Greek camp at ThermopylcB. " I desire to give expression to my great satisfaction with the order and discipline you have displayed during the campaign and to acknowledge your self-sacrificing conduct and the bravery with which you have fought on every occasion. " Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Legion may feel convinced, on leaving Greece, that the whole Army will always retain an imperishable memory of the noble men, who in the days of our country's distress came here to give proof of their friendly disposition to Greece and their readiness to fight for us in the name of Liberty and Justice. Greece will never forget that your blood was poured out on the battlefield, where your brave leader. Captain Veratasse, met his death. — Konstantinos." 252 KING GEORGE OF GREECE Epirus It remains to tell of the campaign in the western theatre of war, Epirus. As has already been said, the frontier between Greece and Turkey was arranged in 1881, in such a way that the whole of Thessaly became Greek, but only an extremely small part of Epirus. The frontier line was then drawn to the north of the town of Kalabaka, which lies about half - way between the shores of the Ægean and Ionian Seas ; it then turns to the south-west, and finally due south, the last 40 miles following the course of the River Arta down to the gulf of the same name. The town of Arta itself, on the eastern side of the river, is Greek ; an ancient stone bridge connects the banks. By this arrangement the waters of the Gulf of Arta were partly Greek and partly Turkish. This inlet, some 20 miles wide, resembles an immense inland lake, and at the narrow entrance from the Ionian Sea the old Turkish fortress of Preveza lies immediately opposite to the small and poorly armed Greek fort of Aktion. The low-lying castle of Preveza is not very formidable ; but the tongue of land on which the town is situated is surrounded by a line of forts, of which, however, only the Hamidieh Tabia is of modern construction. Towards the Gulf some further fortifications are designed to defend Preveza THE GREEK RETREAT 258 against an attempted landing. At the commence- ment of the war the garrison consisted of about 3,000 men under the command of Colonel Fevzy Bey. The peninsula is covered with swamps, which render the approach to Preveza exceedingly difficult except by the road running north to Yanina, the capital of the vilayet, some 45 miles distant. Arta is a curious little town, which the Greeks have not yet succeeded in cleansing of Turkish dirt. A labyrinth of narrow streets, which every shower converts into watercourses, is surrounded on three sides by the river. This unlovely town is completely commanded by a fine old fortress, the immense stone walls of which are decorated by loopholes and strong watch-towers. Both Greeks and Turks had thrown up entrench- ments and placed batteries in position on the ridge that rises on both sides of the frontier line. In January Osman Pasha, General of division, was in command of the Turkish Army of Epirus, which numbered about 30,000 men. At the beginning of the war 5,000 of these were in Yanina, 7,000 with 12 guns to the west of Arta, and the rest were divided among small towns between these two places. The Greek force was concentrated on Arta under the command of Colonel Manos, and consisted of four regiments of infantry, two battalions of Evzones, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and two field 254 KING GEORGE OF GREECE and three mountain batteries. With the later re- inforcements of 3,000 regulars and 2,000 volunteers the force reached the total of about 20,000 men. This division was formed into two brigades under the command of Colonels Botzaris and Sechos. The Greek Army rested its left flank on Arta and its right on the strongly fortified village of Peta. The position was extremely well chosen, and the artillery was so placed as to be able to shell many points held by the enemy. The tete-cie-pont on the Turkish side of the river was occupied by a battalion of Albanians ; the next line of defence was 3 miles to the rear, while the third — which was to secure the road to Yanina — was at Pente Pigadia, nearly 12 miles to the north. The Greek Army was aided by large bands of insurgents, which the Ethnike Etæria had equipped with arms and uniforms, and which were com- manded by prominent Greek Epirotes. At the head of these irregulars was the Greek deputy Skalsodimos. As in Thessaly, the Turks opened hostilities on April i8th, by commencing a two days' active bombardment of Arta and the Greek entrench- ments. Having got together considerable rein- forcements, the Turks on the morning of the 20th attempted an assault, which was repeated later in the day. In spite of the bravery and recklessness of the Turkish troops, both attacks were repulsed. THE GREEK RETREAT 255 The next night a third attack was made with the same result, whereupon, on the following morning, Manos's division replied by a counter- attack. The result of this was that the whole attacking force of the Turks retired and fled panic-stricken northward along the road to Yanina. It was the usually brave Albanians who made this ignominious retreat, leaving behind them long strings of mules and carts with ammunition, pro- visions, and all kinds of war material. Not till they had reached Davitchon Han, where the roads from Arta and Preveza meet to the south of Yanina, did the General of division, who had ridden to meet the troops, succeed in checking the panic and collecting the scattered detachments. It goes without saying that the rejoicing in Arta over this first unexpected success was overwhelm- ing. Colonel Manos at once began the pursuit of the enemy and marched against Philippiades, where a Turkish brigade was in position. After a brisk engagement the Turks retired with a loss of 4 guns and 300 prisoners. The Greeks then continued their march northward to Pente Pigadia ; but by now the Turks had also reached this point, where the decisive action was to develop. When the Turkish advanced guard appeared, Colonel Manos had occupied the heights to the south of the mountain pass. The disposition of his force was somewhat scattered, one battalion being pushed right forward to the village of Kondozaky. 256 KING GEORGE OF GREECE This detachment was attacked by the Turks on the 24th and almost completely destroyed. Its loss was 300 killed, 200 wounded, and 60 prisoners. After some indecisive skirmishes the fighting was resumed on April 28th. It began with the attack of a Turkish division on Botzaris's brigade at Hanopulos. The attack was directed against a knoll in the centre of the position, which was defended by a battalion of Evzones. The Greeks were hard pressed, but continued to repulse the assaults with great bravery. It was evident, how- ever, that in the long run the Evzones would not be able to withstand the crushing superiority of the Turkish numbers, unless they were immediately reinforced. Strangely enough this was not done, although there were over 6,500 men between the point of attack and Hanopulos, and the fight therefore ended in the Greeks being forced to retire. In the course of this and the following day the Turks advanced all along the line. Manos's division withdrew towards Arta, fighting and skirmishing the whole way. On the 30th this first offensive movement of the Greeks came to an end, with the result that the Turks had com- pletely cleared their country of the enemy. As already noted, the Greek fleet was divided into a western and an eastern squadron. To the former — under Commander Kosmos Zotos — was entrusted the task of making itself master of THE GREEK RETREAT 257 Preveza and the adjacent coast batteries, and with this object in view it was afterwards reinforced by the Spetzai and the Psara, which originally belonged to the eastern squadron. On April i8th Commander Zotos went to work and opened the bombardment. On the very first day he succeeded in reducing the fortifications of Skafidaki, and on the following day the Hamidieh Fort especially was severely damaged. An attempted landing at Mitka — just north of Preveza — was, however, repulsed by the Turks, who had excellent cover in the immense olive groves that surround the whole peninsula. On the 2 1 St the squadron again opened a heavy fire on the shore forts, which replied with effect. The Spetzai suffered some damage, and a gunboat was towed into Vonitsa Bay in a disabled condition. After this the squadron kept quiet for a time. Later operations against the shore batteries were equally devoid of important results. The situation, then, at the beginning of May was that the Greek arms could show no tangible advantage either on land or in the Gulf of Arta. It was, however, of the greatest importance to the Athens Government to achieve some territorial conquest in the western theatre of war, which might counterbalance in some degree the losses in Thessaly. Every possible effort was therefore made to strengthen the Army at Arta, so that it might be able to carry out an effective advance li 258 KING GEORGE OF GREECE and occupy at least some part of the enemy's country. Colonel Manos then drafted a new offensive plan and reorganised his division, including in it the reinforcements sent him from Athens. At the same time a corps of about 3,000 volunteers arrived, at the head of which a Greek " Maid of Orleans " marched as standard-bearer — a girl of seventeen named Helene Konstandinl. This fanatical but not very efficient band — called the Botzaris Corps — was landed on May 12th to the north of Preveza, at the mouth of the River Luros, and was entrusted with the task of preventing the junction of the Preveza force with the Turkish brigade operating around Philippiades. But the Botzaris Corps fared badly. For a few days it sustained with varying fortune a series of skirmishes with the enemy, but soon the volunteers began to suffer from shortness of ammunition and provisions, and a promise of reinforcements from the regular troops was not fulfilled. By the 14th the corps was already obliged to retreat to a point on the shore, where according to arrangement a transport was to be waiting. This place was reached on the night of the 1 6th, but no vessel was there. Tired out, starving, drenched with rain, and shivering with cold, the corps continued its march to the eastward in a THE GREEK RETREAT 259 thoroughly disorganised condition. Suddenly a Turkish force, pushed forward from Preveza, opened fire on the unfortunate volunteers from an ambush, and before the survivors managed to escape on board a steamer, they had suffered a loss of 320 killed and 200 missing. On May 12th the Greek division began its offensive movement. Colonel Manos had handed over the command to General Smolenski, a brother of the brigadier serving in Thessaly. The reinforcements were formed into two new brigades, commanded by Colonels Bairaktaris and Golphinopoulos. General Smolenski's plan, in its main lines, was to capture Preveza with half his force, acting in concert with the fleet, while the other half held in check the Turkish forces north of the Philippiades-Hanopulos line. At the same time the Botzaris Corps was to execute the movement, the unhappy result of which has just been described. The Greek advance was begun by Colonel Bairaktaris, who moved forward with his brigade to the heights about Imaret, with some slight opposition from the enemy. At the same time Colonel Golphinopoulos advanced with his force towards the Luros Bridge, and lastly Colonel Doxas had to cross the River Arta at Plaka and demonstrate against the enemy. 260 KING GEORGE OF GREECE Bairaktaris had orders to remain at first on the defensive, so as to be able later to support the brigade that was movino; on the Luros. In spite of this he next day attacked the Turkish positions at Hanopulos. The enemy's position was very strong and his numbers decidedly superior. After a vigorous artillery duel the Evzones rushed the heights with the greatest intrepidity and drove out the enemy. The Turkish flight was only checked by the hasty arrival of reinforcements. The fall of night put an end to the engagement, the result of which was an incontestable victory for the Greeks. It rained incessantly all night, and the troops suffered greatly from cold and want of food. But next morning — May 14th — Bairaktaris received reinforcements and resumed the offensive against Hanopulos. As luck would have it, the Turkish positions were hidden in the morning mist, while the Greeks came forward in full sunshine. During the attack two Turkish batteries opened a murderous cross- fire on the advancing brigade. At the same time the Albanian regiments took open order along the heights and sent a deadly hail of bullets against the enemy. The Greeks, however, continued to advance, with heavy loss. They succeeded in driving the Turks out of several positions, but by 4 P.M. such masses of troops were drawn up around Hanopulos that any further advance was THE GREEK RETREAT 261 impossible. The rain began again in torrents, the troops on both sides had exhausted their strength, and firing slowly died away. Although the Greeks still held the ground they had won, Smolenski gave the signal for a general retreat. The division had lost 700 killed and wounded, including 25 officers killed and 80 wounded. The superiority of the enemy's numbers had proved far greater than was estimated. It was not known then that Osman Pasha had received two whole divisions from the Turkish Army of Thessaly as reinforcements. In the course of the niofht the various Greek detachments marched back to Arta, where the division was again assembled on May 15th. Five days later the armistice was concluded. Immediately afterwards the Greek Commander, Colonel Manos, was summoned before a court- martial, while the Turkish Commander received the Grand Cross of the Osmanié Order in brilliants and the Sultan's thanks to the Army. The Conclusion of Peace. As was to be expected, feeling ran high on the conclusion of the armistice, both in Greece and Turkey. As usual, the vanquished sought an easy outlet for their disappointment and wrath by selecting a scapegoat to bear the whole burden of disgrace. It cannot be denied that the conduct 262 KING GEORGE OF GREECE of the war and its wholly negative results were bound to cast a shadow for a long time to come over the Government and the nation ; the consciousness of this rankled not only among the Greeks in the narrower sense, but among the whole Hellenic race scattered throughout the world. So painful was the wound that, as long as the peace negotiations were going on, the cry was raised by a million voices for continuing the war — rather let the whole Greek race be exterminated than live to bear this shame and humiliation ! But by degrees the voice of wisdom and discretion gained a hearing. The point was, not to regard the issue of this war as the final settlement of accounts between Hellenism and Turkish barbarism. On the contrary, what had now to be done was to derive a profitable lesson from the trials fate had inflicted on the country ; to try in every conceivable way to develop the resources of Greece, to strengthen her defences by land and sea, and constantly to keep in view the spirit-stirring object of revanche, so as to be found fully prepared next time the god of war gave the signal. Such were the words and thoughts which, as in France after the peace of 1871, poured oil upon the waves of popular feeling among the Greek community on both sides of the frontier. In no small degree was this sentiment supported by the THE GREEK RETREAT 263 attitude of the Powers during the Peace negotia- tions. It soon became clear to the Greeks that the war would not involve any great material or territorial loss to the country. As with the vanquished, so with the victors, popular excitement reached a dangerous height. Not only in the Army and among chauvinist elements in Turkey were threatening voices raised, which demanded the prosecution of the war until Athens was taken and Greece crushed, but the whole world of Islam was stirred by a fury of indignation at being balked of a result that was reasonably proportion- ate to the sacrifices made and the victories won. On both sides it looked for a time as if reason would be overcome by passions : Turkey con- tinued to send reinforcements to the seat of war, and the Government at Athens pressed on its warlike preparations with feverish haste. Amongst other contracts, 1,150 horses were ordered from Fiume and 20,000 rifles from Brescia. The capital was put in a state to resist the enemy ; earthworks were commenced, guns were placed in the most advantageous positions, and a plan for the defence of Athens was drawn up. Meanwhile the Ambassadors at Constantinople met for the purpose of agreeing upon terms of peace, which, if necessary, were to be forced upon the Porte ; for one thing was clear — the Powers would not in any circumstances permit the con- tinuance of hostilities. 264 KING GEORGE OF GREECE As to the basis of these terms agreement was quickly reached — the status quo was to be upheld in principle, and the war indemnity to be demanded of Greece was to be limited as far as possible to the amount of such expenses as the war had actually imposed on Turkey. In any circumstances the sum was not to exceed the financial resources of the somewhat embarrassed treasury of Greece. On May 31st the armistice was prolonged until the conclusion of the peace negotiations. On June 4th delegates from both belligerents signed the detailed conditions of the armistice at sea. At the same time various details of the Cretan constitution — formulated by the Powers — were agreed to. And finally — after four months of negotiations — the preliminaries of peace were signed on September i8th, 1897. Peace was concluded on the following terms, which are here given in a summarised form : — The frontier line was slightly altered to the advantage of Turkey. A mixed commission was to carry out this rectification. Greece paid Turkey a war indemnity of four million Turkish pounds. The terms of payment were so arranged that the right of the prior creditors of the State should not suffer. The privileges enjoyed by Greek subjects in Turkey before the war were maintained. Fourteen days after the ratification of the preliminaries of peace, Greek plenipotentiaries THE GREEK RETREAT 265 were to proceed to Constantinople to give effect to the conclusion of peace by the exchange of prisoners of war, the proclamation of a general amnesty, etc. Finally seven articles followed concerning various conventions between the two countries, which aimed at maintaining neighbourly relations, suppressing brigandage along the frontier, establish- ing advantageous connections of trade and traffic, co-operation in consular affairs and similar pro- visions which in a practical way might remove or counteract future differences between the two nations. On September 21st the treaty was already ratified at Constantinople, and five days later it was placed in the hands of the Foreign Minister at Athens by the representative of Russia. One of the few bright spots of the war was the care and generosity shown on all sides to its victims. That Queen Olga was foremost in the work of charity will surprise no one, and she was faithfully supported by the Crown Princess Sophia and by Princess Marie. Hospitals were fitted up in all haste, well pro- vided with bandages, surgical instruments, and medicaments of all kinds ; doctors were engaged, and volunteers arrived from all parts of the world. The chief deficiency was the lack of nurses, but the example of the Queen and the Princesses was 266 KING GEORGE OF GREECE contagious, and a number of Athenian ladies of wealth and standing came forward for this duty. The work was carried on untiringly, and it was not always of the most attractive or grateful order. The wounded Turkish prisoners in particular often inspired their nurses with terror. The half-savage Albanians and rough, disorderly Bashi - Bazouks were at the best not very decorous patients to handle. At first they had no idea that there was any intention of relieving their pain or healing their wounds. When the chief surgeon with his following of assistants and nurses in their blood- stained overalls approached a wounded Moslem, he took them for the executioner and his attendants who had come to put him to the torture. The Turks hit out and bit like mad dogs ; in many cases they flourished weapons that had been kept concealed for the last fight for life. But by degrees the Turks found out that in the enemy's country they had found friends, who only wished them well — a discovery that completely unnerved the patients. But the hatred between the wounded Greek and Turkish soldiers was the most difficult thing to get over. At first it was as much as the men's lives were worth to mix them in the same ward ; day and night a sentry had to keep guard, lest the poor maimed wretches should try to deprive each other of the last spark of life. But even this state of things was amended under the influence of the ceaseless efforts of charity. CHAPTER IX AFTER THE DEFEAT The decade following the war was marked by the efforts made by King George, in association with certain politicians — among whom M. Zaimis, after- wards High Commissioner in Crete, must be specially mentioned — to bring the country into the paths of reform and development. The results, it is true, were not in proportion to these persistent efforts ; for the legislative assembly was still dominated by personal interests to the exclusion of all considerations of the country's welfare. Something, however, was accomplished, which left its trace on many future years. As already mentioned, the Greek Government agreed to the proposal of the Powers for the appointment of an International Control Com- mission for reofulatino^ the relations of Greece to its foreign creditors, including the payment of the war indemnity to Turkey. This Commission now met to draw up proposals for fixing the Budget, apportioning the revenue, raising certain duties, introducing new taxes, withdrawing a portion of the paper money, and many other purposes, so 267 268 KING GEORGE OP' GREECE that in course of time a great deal of the debt could be paid off and a balance arrived at in the public finances. Although the establishment of this financial control offended many sensitive Greek minds, and was frequently used in the Chamber of Deputies as an effective weapon for attacking the Govern- ment, it was soon admitted that the international institution was not only a necessity at the time, but that the work of the Control had been nothing short of a blessing to the country. The attitude of the Greek people, after the conclusion of the war, was marked by the repose of exhaustion. With a solitary exception, no sign of anger or bitterness was shown against the Royal Family, after the first outburst of disappointment had died down. On calm consideration the great mass of the people acknowledged that the dynasty was not to blame either for the outbreak of the war or for its result. On the contrary, it was perfectly clear that the country would not have extricated itself so cheaply from the rash adventure, but for the personal influence of King George through his family connections and many years' friendship with the leading statesmen of Europe. And even this solitary exception — which I have referred to earlier — may in all probability be con- sidered as an outcome of the doctrines of anarchy, which at that time marked out many victims among the crowned heads and leading men of Europe. AFTER THE DEFEAT 269 On February 27th, 1898, the King went for his usual afternoon drive, accompanied by Princess Marie. Their destination was the neighbourhood of the handsome bathing estabHshment of Old Phaleron, and after walking along the beach the King and his daughter went back to the carriage to drive home to the Palace along the new Syngros Boulevard. About half-way between Phaleron and Athens, where a slig-ht eminence rises to the east of the road, two men had placed themselves in ambush, armed with Gras rifles. And when the carriage reached the spot two shots rang out, one of which smashed the carriage lamp, and the other struck the rearing off- horse. The King stood up and tried to shield the Princess from the assassins' bullets, while the coachman whipped up his horses and sent them at a tearing pace along the road. Several more shots were fired, which struck the carriage and harness and wounded the groom on the box — then the King and Princess Marie were out of range and reached the Palace unhurt. Both the assassins fled to Hymettus and climbed into the hills. It chanced, however, that the light- house-keeper had caught sight of the two men and took them for sportsmen ; but the fact that they threw away their guns at the foot of the hill roused his suspicion and led to their arrest. The author of the outrage was a clerk in the municipal offices of Athens, named Karditzis, and his assistant was 270 KING GEORGE OF GREECE a peasant lad from northern Greece. Both were beheaded in the prison of NaupHa. This attempted assassination roused the greatest indignation throughout the country, and was the occasion of countless expressions of sympathy with the King, whose popularity rose higher than ever. Many of the provinces sent deputations to Athens with congratulations and homage to the sovereign, and a public subscription was raised for the erec- tion of the handsome Byzantine church, which now marks the spot where the two assassins lay in ambush. The church was dedicated to Our Saviour, and a thanksgiving service is held every year on February 27th. In May the King made a tour of his kingdom with the express object of learning the desires of the people, and hearing how the commonalty regarded the political situation, so as to arrive at a better understanding of the most urgently-needed reforms. The results of the journey far surpassed the King's expectations. There was everywhere a perception that now was the time to speak freely and frankly, without hiding anything, so that the King might be able to form an accurate opinion of the course the Government ought to adopt in order to fulfil the reasonable desires of his subjects. This tour, which brought the sovereign into closer contact than ever before with the people of the country, throws much light on coming events. KING GEORGE AT THE ACHII.LEION, CORFU. Reproduced i