A REGENERATED NATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3693, 30 November 1912, Page 10

A REGENERATED NATION.

A CONTRAST ‘BETWEEN 1897 AND 1912.

Writing from Athens on the eve of the war, the special correspondent of tlie “Westminster Gazette” says:— Whosoever had been staying in Greece in the years 1596-97 may remark the vast difference which contrasts the attitude of the people then and now. ' "Whilst then everything was done in frivolity and light-mind-edness, unthinkingly, unreflectingly, now all the preparations of war have been made in sober earnest. Whilst then nothing was ready, whilst half of the able-bodied manhood stopped in the capital, making noisy demonstrations in favor of war and talking politics in the coffee-shops, now no bombastic newspaper reports have heralded for weeks and weeks in advance the preparations which have been done so quietly that only a few initiater knew anything of their being made at all. The call to arms may have come to not a few as a surprise, but no favor lias been shown, no exception made; all the youths of Greece from 21—23 stand under order to join. Most of the regiments have been equipped and are ready to march. It is not now, like Mr Winkle’s appeal to Mr Pickwick, do not send for the policeman, dear friend ; it is dread that the policeman may step in. Amongst the people there reigns a sober-mindedness for which few who knew them well would have given them credit; it is, if it must be, it must be “now or never.” Amongst the older generation there is also the wish to wipe out the disgrace of ’97. Although the regimental storerooms are now better stocked than formerly, the soldiers are all well shod, well clothed, well drilled, the cavalry in particular present a smart soldierly . appearance, still the hardships which thc-y will have to undergo are not to be underrated. The providing for such a force presents difficulties, as everything lias to be sent from the capital and road communications are, over the mountainous regions, scanty. The frugality of the Greek peasantry is well known and will have to lie practised by many a smart young man bred in luxury. Now will all these preparations be in vain? The next few days will show.

ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE OF GREECE,