The Great Round World and What Is Going On In It, Vol. 2, No. 10, March 10, 1898 | Page 7

unpopularity which the
King acquired among many of his subjects during the late war between
Greece and Turkey. The King's escape, however, was made the cause
of great rejoicing and thanksgiving in Athens. From all parts of the
civilized world, too, telegrams of congratulation were sent to him.
King George is the second son of the King of Denmark, and brother of
the Princess of Wales. He was born in Denmark in 1845, and was
elected in 1863 by the National Assembly at Athens to fill the vacancy
in the Greek throne. Four years later he married the Grand Duchess
Olga, niece of the late Emperor Alexander II. of Russia.
Until the Græco-Turkish war broke out, King George was one of the
most popular monarchs in Europe. He believed in a liberal form of
government and he lived in a very simple and democratic style. His
wife, too, was highly esteemed for her fine character and abilities. She
soon became known for her great love of the sea, and she is said to be
the only woman in any navy in the world who holds a commission as
admiral.
When, about a year ago, King George defied Turkey and the great
powers of Europe in his brave defence of Crete, and actually went to
war with a power vastly stronger than his own little kingdom, he was
applauded for his courage in nearly every country of the civilized world.
It was even thought that Greece was on the verge of winning back her
old glory.
But the result proved to be a bitter disappointment. The Greeks were
utterly routed, and King George and Crown Prince Constantine, his son,
were accused of having shamefully mismanaged the war. At one time it
looked as if the royal family would be driven from Greece. It was
reported also that King George intended to abdicate.

Since the close of the war, however, the King has appeared in some
measure to have strengthened his position in Athens. The attempt on
his life, however, suggests that the feeling against him among his
people must still be strong. It is reported that during the last few
months his life has been repeatedly threatened.
Two days after the attack was made on the King, one of his assailants,
while being searched for, gave himself up.
He proved to be an ignorant man named Karditza. It is thought that his
mind had been inflamed against King George by the severe criticisms
made on the King by some of the more violent newspapers in Athens.
He has made a confession showing that a conspiracy was formed by a
political society against the King's life.
A dynamite-bomb was discovered by the police near the spot where the
shooting took place.
* * * * *
England has maintained her firm position with regard to her claims in
Western Africa. She has informed France most emphatically that she
does not propose to be interfered with there as she was by the French
colonists in Madagascar.
She has practically persuaded France to agree that she shall have
absolute control of the Niger River. This means that the river will be
kept open to the commerce of the whole world.
It is said that at first Monsieur Hanotaux, the French foreign minister,
did not believe that Lord Salisbury would maintain his position in the
matter, and that this belief encouraged him to send the French troops
into Western Africa. But, with the assistance of Mr. Chamberlain, who
is a shrewd diplomatist as well as a man of nerve, Lord Salisbury held
firmly to his point.
It is now known that the difficulties have been practically settled, and
that France, though she has secured some concessions, has practically

backed down in favor of England.
Nothing pleases the English more than to have their own way against
the French. The English and the French have been natural enemies for
generations. The feeling of the French toward the English is even more
bitter than their hostility to the Germans.
* * * * *
The Chinese loan, about which we have heard so many different reports,
has at last been definitely granted by a combination of English and
German capital. The loan has been described as "semi-private," but this
does not prevent it from being considered a distinct success for Lord
Salisbury's negotiations, though regret is naturally felt in England that
Germany should have a share in it. As a result of the loan, England has
secured new concessions from China, which greatly strengthen her
influence in Chinese territory and place her in a stronger position from
which to insist upon her policy of open ports.
The news comes by cable that China has agreed to allow the control of
the imperial maritime customs to be placed in the