Kino Geome ot Greece Ouite Democratic m
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(Copyright, J9I1, by kank G. Carpenter.)
THEN3 (Special Correspondent of Th
I Bee.) King George of Greece is now ab
jf" I ent from Athens. He Is at hla villa on
iue iBiana or corru, wnere he has a pal
ace not far from that of the mpt ror of
Germany. He divides his time between
! Corfu and Athens, with th(3 exception of four months
every nummer, when he goes off to Europe. I am told
that he puts on no airs at either place, and that he
i and Kaiser Wllhelm go about at Corfu just like com-
mon, people. Summer before last the kaiser while
out walking on the country roads stopped at a cottage
; for a drink and talked with Its peasant proprietor,
i The latter brought out a chair and his Imperial Ger
i man majesty sat down and rested. After he had gone
' the peasant wrote the kaiser's name on the chair and
j laid It away. When the kaiser walked out again this
j year the peasant Btopped Mm on the roadway ani
j offered him the use of the chair, saying he had vowed
that none but an emperor should Bit on It thereafter.
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The Democracy of King (leorge.
The king of Greece Is even more democratic. He
I walks about Athens, and now and then goes Into the
j stores. He talks with everybody, and It Is not difficult
for a foreigner Introduced by his minister to have an
Interview with him. I met him when I visited Athens,
! now twenty-two years ago, and he gave me an audi
ence, during which he talked at length for my Amorl-
can newspapers. He was at that time 44 years of age,
i but he looked ten years younger. He is now 68, but
ls still In his prime. During our Interview his majesty
' spoke English. He shook my hand as he met me and
again on my leaving. He spoke highly of the Greeks
and, was enthusiastic about the future of the country.
' I am told that he Is quite as democratic today.
Speaking of the king's lack of formality, I have
Just heard as. to how he received a party of Ameri
cans who came with Cook and who have been explor
. lng the Mediterranean. In straw hats and dusters
they walked up to his palace and asked the major
domo If they might see the king. The latter replied
that they must first see the United States minister,
whereupon the king, passing through the vestibule
and observing the party, asked what was the matter,
j He was told, and he thereupon ordered the Ameri
cans to be let In, holding out his hand to their leader.
The chief of the tourists grasped the hand of his
majesty with the grip of a vise and addressed him as
follows:
"How do you do, Mr. King. We are glad to see
you. We had only one day In Athens and we did not
want to leave without meeting the king."
His majesty took the party into the palace and
chatted with them for a few moments, when the leader
arose and held out his hand, saying:
"We must be going, Mr. King, as we have lots more
to see."
Another American came to the palace lately with
a general letter of introduction to our diplomatic and
consular officers, signed by President Taft. Such let
ters of Introduction are not uncommon, although they
are usually signed by the secretary of state and men
tion the fact that they are given at the request of some
senator or member of the house of representatives.
They are Intended to be presented to our diplomats
only. This man did not call upon the United States
j minister, but went direct from the ship to the palace
and asked for the king. His letter was taken in,
whereupon his majesty ordered that he be admitted.
Before the American entered he cried out asking If
bis wife might also come in. This request was
granted, and the two were received. I am told that
they asked so many impertinent questions that the
king had to pretend another appointment to get rid
of them and that he practically asked theiu to leave.
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The King and the IVasnnt.
Many stories are told of the king In connection
with the Greeks. He talks with the people hom he
meets on his way through the country and listens to
what they have to say about himself and the govern
ment. This Is, of course, when he is not recognized.
He has no trouble in getting opinions, for every Greek
farmer and rartman has his own way of thinking and
Is not averse to making it known. Not long aso his
majesty got into conversittlon with a peasant walking
along beside him following his cart filled with vege
tables. Suddenly the peasant's horse slipped and the
vegetables were scattered all over the road. The
countryman began to swear, but the king caught bold
of the horse and made it get up and proceeded to put
the vegetables Wok in the cart. At this moment an
officer of the army passed by and saluted. The coun
tryman was amazed and realized that the king was
his helper. He did not know what to say, whereupon
his majesty gave htm a gold piece and remarked:
"My good man, you are foolish to wasie your time
swearing and praying when you get into trouble.
What you want to do is to put your hand to the wheel
MJi''VI irum inai 01 tne mpcror of !.-.' ieveriueieB, uer niajuaij nno lamcu uir nsui iu - " 11 ' mJ M
a . ... . - .L.i i !.... i . .i v. r b i i rm a WW s 9
I '. If .,..c : : , v
. w I the Russian war vessels whenever they eom to the "-J!j.'if J ) ZZZZr
I - I Piraeus, but that she will not go on a Crock vewel, VO- K 1 '1 VV
f I i 1 except when she has to travel from one port to an- ? f y J r Vs:- "4
, y' I other. So. altogether, she "has gotten the 111 will of V" .. pyT ij t s. , J
J her subjects. X f1f! " I 5
wt . t Ul I . niiiiii 1 n f iv ohn la ala-uva Hrtlnir ur. tllnt ll i n it fill" I Kli W J
. ; , M . ,.v. .......r, ..........r, ... . 1 Ti n m i i ' i iiimmmnmrinir - I
V ' ; women of Greece. have visited si nools or tiers where n7,linr7)T)-nT71jr nrxrrrA,m7r,7X,
. fA!VT TWO
" 2TIC0ZA06
and pick up your carrots." He then walked away
laughing. I
A lloyal, Money-Making Fanner.
Speaking of the vegetable cart, I have no doubt
that his majesty knew the value of those carrots and
potatoes and Just what it cost to raise them. He is,
I am told, one of the best farmers of Greece. He had
much to do with founding the agricultural department,
and has rendered great assistance to the farmers of
the country. He has large farms of his own, and I
am told that it is now possible to buy butter and milk
In Athens which come from his majesty's dairies. ' He
has Danish farmers to manage bis estate, and has im
ported Danish dairymaids to superintend the butter
making. He has large vineyards, and the king's wine
is regularly sold in the markets. It is about the best
made in Greece and can be bought at the leading
hotels.
I am told that the king has made money out of
his estates as well as in speculation of various kinds.
He gets an allowance from the government of a little
more than $200,000 a year and he has about 100,000
more from France, England and Russia, by whom he
was put on the throne and who are to a certain extent
the protectors of the kingdom of Greece. This money
is to keep up his palaces and maintain his court, but
he has lived simply and has Invested the surplus so
that he Is said to be a millionaire. He owns stock in
railways, vineyards and mines. He has a fleet of mer
chant vessels which, trades at the various Mediter
ranean ports and he 'has also money Invested in Amer
ican securities which he buys and sells on the market.
The kaiser once sarcastically remarked to King
George that the making of money was hardly befitting
a king, whereupon George I replied:
"I see nothing unroyal In the making of money,
and I can tell you I would rather be a rich merchant
than a bankrupt king."
How George Got the Throne.
And this brings me to the tenure ot office of this
remarkable monarch. He has held the throne for
forty-eight years, although his predecessor was ex
pelled from it, and if the people were much dissatisfied
it is doubtful whether he could retain It today. The
ruler of Greece has not a drop of Greek blood in his
veins. He is the son of Christian, the late king of
Denmark, and was placed on the throne at the sug
gestion of the great powers which protect Greece. He
was elected by the National Assembly here, and ac
cepted the crown through his father acting as
guardian. This was in 1S63, when George was only
18. A few months after this the National Assembly
at Athens declared him of age, and he came hare to
rule. He has been on the throne ever since, and one
of his family, although It is doubtful whether this will
be the crown prince, will succeed him.
The king was married shortly after, he ascended
the throne to Olga, the eldest daughter of the Grand
Duke Constantino of Russia and brother of the late
Emperor Alexander II. By her he has had six chil
dren and he also has a number ot grandchildren, the
most. of whom live here at Athens. The king is re
lated to nearly all the chief monarchs of Europe. One
of bis Bisters was the late queen of England and an
other has been empress of Russia.
His majesty Is a Lutheran, and this Is permitted
by the terms of his accession, but it is provided that
the children must belong to the Greek church, which
is also the church of Queen Olga.
An Unpopular Queen.
I am told that the queen Is not liked by the Greeks
and this notwithstanding her charities, which Include
hospitals, schools and other benevolent institutions.
The Greeks are sensitive, and her majesty is said to
favor the Russians and to want to introduce Russian
methods into the Grecian religion. Both nations are
Greek Catholics, but there are some differences. Not
long ago there was a great fuss about revising the
New Testament, which caused what was known as the
gospel riot. On this occasion the Russian priests got
out an edition, of which the Greeks did not approve.
Her majesty distributed some of the Russian Testa
ments among the soldiers, and this brought a mob to
the palace, who yelled "Down with the Russian,"
meaning the queen. U U said that the queea visits
w little moGmms
the Russian war vessels whenever they com to th
Plra'eu3, but that she will not go on a Greek vensel,
except when she has to travel from one port to an
other. So. altogether, she "has gotten the ill will of
her subjects.
Nevertheless, her majesty has earned the richt tc
be popular, for she is always doing something for the
women of Greece. I have visited schools of hers where
Greek girls are taught to embroider, make lace and
weave cloth. She is one of the chief promoters of the
Grand Evangelical hospital, and Bhe goes there every
week to visit the sick and pray with the dying. She
Is a patron of the Orphan asylum and of the Society
for Poor Women, and also the founder of a store for
the sale of women's handiwork. She Is the president
of a society for the relief of female prisoners, and. In
connection with the Greeks of Constantinople, she has
had to do with a reform school for young criminals.
Her majesty is a fine-looking woman. She has a
sweet, womanly face, with classic features, hair being
brushed well back from the forehead. She dresses
simply, but has many magnificent jewels which she
The Story-of a
(Continued from Page One.)
tures, are prone to the seductive charms of mere
mortals.
"I am a moderately popular book. I have not
proved a 'best seller,' but after having lived In fear
and trembling, I know I have come to stay, so I will
begin at the time that marks a milestone in my life,
that epoch of Interest to all the friends of my new
home; the momentous occasion when I became a part,
lnflnitismal though it be, of that momentous whole,
the Omaha Public Library. Fortunate, indeed, is
the book destined to repose here. From the cumber
some folio to the dainty cameo edition all agree that
they have found sympathetic and responsive souls
among their comrades on 'the shelves. If perchance
an uncongenial comrade is discovered we charitably
close our eyes, for among many is it not possible that
a few guilty ones might pass muster?
"The watchword of the library is, 'Quality, not
quantity.' What normal book would not feel a thrill
of pride on finding itself the recipient of a certificate
of admission? It was with Joy, not unmixed with un
speakable fear, that I was received on probaton and
learned then the process undergone before I became
an integral part of the card catalogue universe.
"Though the librarian is not an official censor, yet
she has a duty, as custodian, to guard against what is
undesirable. She must not be like the fisherman of
the Arabian nights who let the Afrite escape from the
brass bottle, and then was at his wits cnd how to get
Militarism Costly
1NCE 1885, a period of twenty-live years, it
has cost Europe to maintain its armed
peace footing the prodigious sum of $29,
000,000,000, all this apart from the cost
of wars actually fought, says the Mexican
S
Herald. Meantime the public debts of the European
nations rose from $21,000,ooo,ooo to $30, 200,000,
000. This heavy burden, saddled on posterity, me
naces the people of the future with bankruptcy. One
noted French economist says that disaster is inevita
ble, for this stupendous aggregate of obligations can
never be paid.
The half-way remedy would be to scale down na
tional debts, a proceeding that would ruin hundreds
of thousands of comfortably positioned people.
Armed peace costs tremendously, and every effort
should be made by nations boasting of being civilized
tO) reduce the size and expense of armaments.
It is authoritatively stated that all the wars of
the nineteenth century, prior to the years 18 85, cost
less than one-half the enormous amount spent to keep
the peace in the last twenty-five years.
France in the 21 S years preceding 1872 fought
wars costing it $5,000,000,000," but the armed peace
of the last twenty-five years has cost it $7,500,
000,000. Great Britain in tte 215 years preceding and iu
cluding the Crimean war spent for warlike purposes
$6,800,000,000, but a quarter of a century of armed
peace has cost it more than this.
These are facts not to be blinked out of sight, and
ihey serve to explain in part the inability of civiliza
tion to get rid of poverty and to lower very sensibly
the death rate. The $2, 000,000,000 spent In war
preparations since 1885 would have, established great
colonies for the relier of congested old world popula
tions, would have got rid of slums and given a sound
educatlou to the rising generation.
wears upon state occasions. She Is a fine linguist,
speaking with fluency a half dozen languages, includ
ing the Greek. I am told that English is her favorite
tongue and the one which is used in the family.
Life In the Palace.
During my stay here I have learned something of
life in the palace. The home of the king is in the very
center of A'thens, not far from the leading hotels and
cafes, and on a hill which overlooks a great part of
the city. In front of it Is the Place de la Constitution,
containing about forty acres, and around and behind
Library Book
the demon back again. The purchase of new books
requires much thought and care, and lest the unin
itiated should think it a simple matter to handle, I
will trace for you my record, which took, I believe,
all conceivable forms (barring a rogues' gallery),
based on the principle that all are guilty until proved
innocent
"Through the publishers most favorable review
(who can conceive of a publisher's review not being
favorable) attention was drawn to me and my author
and title. These were Jotted down for future refer
ence. A few days previous to the meeting of the
'book committee' other records were looked up for
example, a trustworthy review, price, publisher, and
last, but not least, the Library of Congress number,
Uncle Sam's official card, made especially for me,
which identifies me, whether good or bad, with the
permanent index, the card catalogue. After a thor
ough checking is made of books in the library, books
recently received, and with the outstanding order and
the titles, with author, publisher and price, are classi
fied and a copy Is typewritten and presented at the
meeting of the 'book committee.' Escaping the blue
pencil and receiving the official O. K., tho list is again
arranged, this time alphabetically, and the copy, for
warded to the dealer, who in turn procures the books
from the publishers. In the meantime the cards
(which are, so far, the short history of the book as
we know it) are stamped with the dealer's name and
date'-of order, and then filed In a miniature catalogue
known as the 'Book Order,' remaining there until the
books are received. When the dealer supplies these
the cards are taken from the order, stamped and filed
in a temporary record drawer known as 'Books re
ceived.' This record has proved very valuable, as it
keeps track of all books received on approval, as well
as guarding against a re-order, while the book Is pass
ing through the hands of the cataloguer.
"As publishers' reviews, like bargain day adver
tisements, must be taken with a pinch of salt, the
library Is happy In having some very good and patient
readers whose reviews are conscientious ones and
whose opinion often seals the fate of some spoiled
darling of an author's brain. My short probation was
not devoid of interest. I experienced that strange
elation known to mortals as anticipation. What Joy
will I bring to the casual reader who wanders about
seeking a brief respite from the routine of this work-a-day
world? What sorrows be renewed as my pages
some soul scans? How many pessimists will I con
vert to optimism? Does not this speak volumes for
the fact that the library Is the one place on earth
where a modern man can go, and go regularly, and
not know what he wants? As someone has said,
'Where he can listen to the Immortal stir of thought,
stand at the juncture of time and space and not know
what he wants.' It is true the feeling fades away
very soon, for after a little one goes to the card cata
logue like a lamb to the slaughter, but 'the light of
the spirit does not fade away; it leaves a glow on the
pages afterward.'
"To return to my story I fell into the bands of a
reader who has been of much help to the library and
whose reviews are quite impartial, showing intelli
gence and ability to discern the gold from the dross.
I was fortunate to receive her favorable verdict and
thus was launched upon the reading public. I have
now made my official bow in the Omaha Public library.
I am a permanent member of this normal family of
80,000 children. Some day soon, alas! I will lose my
beautiful dress of cloth-of-gold, perhaps become what
others have been to the little boy who comes for a
book for his mother, saying, 'Please, MIhs Librarian,
niy mother wants a blue book; she had only red ones
1-ttJ.'"
DiSDOSition A
XHEEZWrAm) QOZJE3T OF 'GREECE
It are the king's gardens, which his majesty throws
open to the public on three days of the week.
The palace itself is not beautiful. It is a great
three-story building, with rows of unshuttered win
dows, which make It look like a factory, poorhouse or
an Insane asylum. The chief street cars of Athens
go by It, and there is a steam tram which has a depot
directly in front. The building is of yellow limestone
or marble, gotten from the mountains nearby. It is
kept up by the Parliament, and I am told so poorly
that it lacks many comforts, and especially a suffi
ciency of bathrooms.
As to the life of the royal family, It is simple and
homelike. His majesty rises at 7 o'clock and makes
his own coffee, using a spirit lamp and two tablespoon
fuls of well-powdered Mocha. Tne coffee Is strong as
lye. and his majesty smokes a clgaret as he drinks It.
After this he looks over the newspapers for two or
three hours and then goes upstairs to breakfast. This
Is usually held at 10 o'clock. In a room on the second
story. All of the family are present. The meal con
sists of little more than tea and bread and batter, tho
first real meal of the day being the luncheon at noon,
or rather at 2:30. This Is served in courses, begin
ning with soup and ending with a dessert. It conies
from the kitchen to the palace and Is gotten up by the
royal cookB, the most of whom are French and Ger
man, with some Greeks, who make the desserts.
After luncheon the king chats with his family and
then takes a drive. He has audiences during the day
and attends to such formalities as his position re
quires. At 8:30 the family again assembles at dinner
and If there are no guests of distinction the evening
Is spent not unlike that of any well-to-do family of
Europe. The king Is said to be very good-natured.
He Is fond of pun-making and can laugh ss loudly as
his royal grandchildren.
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The Princes and Princesses of Greece,
As to the princes, Constantino, the crown prince,
Is now In retirement. The people think he misman
aged their army during the war with the Turks and
he has lost caste with them. He Is living in Germany,
where the kaiser is his brother-in-law, and It may be
that he will have to give up his claim to the throne
in favor of his son, George, who is' more popular with
the Greeks. Prince George will be 21 years of age
next July. He Is a fine-looking, well-educated young
fellow. He speaks Greek like a native, and has such
an education as will fit him to be king should his
father be set aside by the people. I am told that his
mother, the Crown Princess Sophia, is also unpopular.
Prince George, the king's second son. Is now com
missioner of Crete. He is said to be well liked by the
Greeks. His wife is one of the Bonapa-tes.
The third son Is Prince NIcolaos, who was born In
1872 and Is, hence, about 40 years old. He is married
to the daughter of the Grand Duke Vladimar of Rus
sia, who is exceedingly rich, and he has two bright
little girls, the Princesses Olga and Elizabeth.
NIcolaos has the literary bent. He has written a
comedy, which was produced here and was a success.
In addition to the above, the king of Greece has
two other sons, the younger of whom Is Christopher,
who is now at school In Germany, and the other, An
drew, or Andreas, as they call It, who married the
Princess Alice of Battenburg. Andreas and Alike, for
that is her Greek name, are about the most popular
of the whole royal family. Alike is cheered whenever
she goes on the street, and Andreas Is favorably
spoken of in all parts of Greece.
As to the king's daughters, he has had two, the
elder of whom died in her youth, and the other, the
Princess Marie, who has married the Grand Duke
George of Russia and gone there to live.
Court Entertainments.
The younger members of the family frequently
visit the houses of the richer Athenians. They are
well known to the people and may be seen driving
about through the city. Tney have entertainments
now and then at the palace, and his inajeaty gives a
great court ball there every New Year. On this occa
sion almost every one who Is any one Is invited. The
guests number 1,200 or more, and they Include the
diplomats, the officers of the army and navy and dis
tinguished foreigners. The guests are expected to
arrive at about 9 o'clock and the dancing begins at
10:30. It starts In with a royal jquadrille, In which
the chief celebrltleB take pat. and continues tbrough-
Uie evening. FRANK G. CAftl'ENTk'w
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