The polite Sultan, who never refuses demands, of course consented at once.
But what do you think was the reply of the Prime Minister of Greece?
They were brave words! He said: _"Greece would rather be wiped off the map
of Europe than yield to the threat of the Powers!"_
There were twenty thousand of her countrymen on the island, helpless,
defenceless, among fierce and cruel Mohammedans. Greece had promised them
protection. She would _not_ leave them to their fate!
But in the mean time the storm clouds have been gathering in other parts
of the sky. The people in England and France and Italy are asking very
significantly whether their Governments are expecting them to fire upon a
Christian army and the Cross, in defence of the rights of the Mohammedan
Empire and the Crescent?
In addition to this, another storm cloud seems to be forming over the
Ottoman Empire itself. There are indications of a general uprising where
Greek Christians abound.
If the clouds over Turkey and those over Europe should unite--what then?
The Powers could fight battalions; but could they stand before a whirlwind
of popular sentiment?
Macedonia has no doubt long cherished the hope of a reunion with Greece;
and the other Graeco-Turkish provinces too.
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