Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 297, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1920 — GREEK WARSHIPS. CALL FOR EX-KING [ARTICLE]

GREEK WARSHIPS. CALL FOR EX-KING

Invitation to Return to His Throne Is Received by Constantine. FLEET GOES TO MEET HIM ** Athens Notifies Monarch —Cruiser and Escort of War Craft Will Receive Him and Family at Veniceon Wednesday. Lucerne, Switzerland, Dec. 13. —Official notification gs the result of the plebiscite In Greece and an invitation to return to Athens and reascend the Greek throne immediately were received by former King Constantine here. , • The Greek government notified Constantine it will have a Greek cruiser and an escort of warships to receive him and his family at Venice on Wednesday. Because of the health of Queen Sophia plans had been made for Constantine and his family to travel by the way of Brindisi, but, on account of the arrangements made for his return, his plans have been changed, and the family will leave Lucerne on an ordinary train, probably Monday. In a’ message addressed to the people of the United States Constantine said: “I solemnly declare to the American people that neither the policy I followed in the past nor the'action of my people in unanimously calling me to my throne were actuated by any Intention to show hostility toward the allies. •

Interests Identical. “More than anyone else I realize that the Interests of Greece and those of the allies and America have ever been and are now identical. I personally am anxious to show it by all the means I possess, and am only too willing to clear up the misunderstanding of which I had until now been the victim. “I sincerely hope and believe I will get the hearty support of the American people, whose Wonderful qualities I admire and whose sincerity, openmindedness and impartiality 1 unreservedly rely upon.” Ships Leave for Venice. Atheui, Dec. 13. —The Greek battleship Averoff, commanded by Admiral Botzie left Piraeus Friday for Venice, accompanied by a number of smaller vessels. Speculation in foreign exchange has stopped temporarily, but the drachma is quoted at 14 to sl. It is planned to draw the balance of Greek credits in America to meet the present difficulties facing the government. Three hundred members of the Greek staff who were appointed during the regime of former Premier Venizelos have been superseded by royalist officers. Minister of war Gounaris apparently Is shaping his -course in the belief that the British are not opposed to the return of Constantine. It Is being urged in some quarters that the 'British, needing the Greek army to oppose the Turkish nationalists in Asia Minor, will restore credits to Greece within a few months. Prices of most foodstuffs are increasing. When any unusual noise is heard in tije streets the remark is made: “That’s the sound of the drachma falling.”