NationStates Jolt Archive

Calling for peace in the Balkan situation, which degrades further by the day, King Haakon VII of Norway has announced that Norway will host what is hoped by his nation to be the conference that will lead to a lasting peace in Europe.

Buoyed by both Russia and Germany assenting to attend, the Conference is opened to all nations in Europe to attend, though Haakon relates in private to Norwegian diplomats to make sure smaller nations realize they won't have quite the say as the larger and more powerful nations. Norway, distant from all fighting, will act as the moderator for the Conference and hopes to forge an agreement accepted by all.

The Russian diplomats are among the first to arrive and hopefully await the arrival of others.

The Greek diplomat requests that if Greece is to withdraw, Northern Epirus is to be transfered to Greece, and Albanian Macedonia and Bulgarian Macedonia is to be a protectorate of the Great Powers.

The Greek diplomat requests that if Greece is to withdraw, Northern Epirus is to be transfered to Greece, and Albanian Macedonia and Bulgarian Macedonia is to be a protectorate of the Great Powers.

The Japanese delegate, who arrives in Oslo as a neutral power, asks Greece what it means by the "great powers", as France has left the Entente.

Japan notes this will most likely not be acceptable to Bulgaria or Albania, and Japan does not see how the aggressors should be rewarded

German Peace Proposal
Rumania:
1. Will give up N Dobruja to Bulgaria
2. Pay 2 points a year for 5 years to Bulgaria
3. Will disband 2 corps worth of reservists and will not rebuild units destroyed in the fighting
4. Will cut ALL agreements, treaties and alliances with Russia and Serbia
5. Will pull out completely from Bulgaria, immediately(Almost forget)

Greece:
1. Will pull out completely from both Bulgaria AND Albania
2. Will pay 1 point a year for 3 years to Bulgaria
3. Will pay 1 point a year for 3 years to Albania
4. Will pay 1 point to Austria sometime over the next 5 years(Whenever you want)
5. Will cut all alliance, agreements and treaties with Serbia and Russia.

Serbia:
1. Will disband 1 fortress corp, not to be replaced.
2. Will cut all ties with the nation of Russia and Rumania
3. Will not annex or in any way control the nation of Montenegro which is to be jointly overseen by Austria and Albania.

Russia:
1. Withdraw all troops from the Balkans

At least in Norway, this proposal is seen as exceedingly hostile towards the states that, quietly and politely in diplomatic circles, are referred to as client states of Russia. It is Norway's view that these smaller states are being unfairly punished almost as a proxy for direct actions against Russia.

Norway recommends that the following portions of the proposal be dropped or altered:

Rumania:
1. Will give up N Dobruja to Bulgaria
4. Will cut ALL agreements, treaties and alliances with Russia and Serbia
Plank One is seen as over-the-top, as Rumania has already stated their intention to pay reparations for 5 years and disband portions of their armed forces. It is Norway's view that the terms of the peace are harsh enough and to rob Rumania of territory will needlessly increase Rumanian hatred of Germany and her allies. Plank Four is seen as both impossible to enforce and ludicrous in the extreme- Rumania will not simply cease contact with one of their major allies upon order from Germany. It is suggested Germany tone down the request in Plank Four to a more appropriate level.


Greece:
5. Will cut all alliance, agreements and treaties with Serbia and Russia.
The same objections are raised.

Serbia:
2. Will cut all ties with the nation of Russia and Rumania
The same objections are raised.

Haakon's Ministers note that, in thheir minds, the smaller nations will not accede to Germany's orders when the orders are as extreme as they are presented and htat toning down the level of punishment will lead to an accepted peace and a more lasting peace.

Russia will accept the term referring to itself, but will leave the other nations to negotiate the others. However, Russia strongly suggests that Germany follow Norway's advice.

Japan notes that Russia antagonized the powers, and they went on to attack Bulgaria without provocation

The Dual Monarchy supports the German proposal though the Austrian Foreign Minister is heard muttering about Russia getting off light.

Russia publicly wonders what Asian diplomats are doing at a conference concerning purely European matters.

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Russia publicly wonders what Asian diplomats are doing at a conference concerning purely European matters.

Japan responds that it is a neutral observer, and that the conference was never limited in terms of nations

Rumania outrightly rejects Germany's second proposal, bluntly stating that not one inch of Rumanian soil will be ceded to the Bulgarians, who they have bested in war.

Rumania also refuses to cut ties with two of it's neighbors. In addition, the beg permission to reinforce their remaining armed forces to full strength, but state that they will not build a larger military beyond the one stipulated in the treaty. (2 infantry corps, 4 reserve corps, 3 mountain divisions, 3 cavalry divisions)

Serbia agrees with the German Peace Proposal, but the fortess corp will be disbanned by the end of 1908. Serbia quietly tells Rumania and Russia that all ties must be cut, so no futher blood is spilled.

After further review of the situation, King Carol I orders his government to give in to the German demands, though Rumania still asks that they be allowed to retain normal diplomatic relatiosn with Russia and Greece.

Rumanian officers, disgusted with this decision, attempt to sieze the royal housing, but are shot dead or captured by the king's bodyguards.

The Bulgarian Representaive reminds the Norweigans that Greece, Rumania and Serbia participated in an unlawful unprovoked aggressions. Rumania did this during the visit of the Bulgarian Monarch and attacked (OOC: Probably killing some of) his security detail and detained the king and all Bulgarian diplomats as opposed to international law, tradition and etiquette.

Greece and Rumania failed to issue a proper declaration of war aswell, Greece maintained for a while that the forces that invaded and killed many Bulgarians and Albanian were not acting on he behalf of Greece.

We feel that constant violation of international law should not be dealt with lightly otherwise a dangerous precedent may be set here.

Over punishment will not cause peace and understanding either. It will just breed more hatred. Can there not be a fine line between getting off to lightly and ruining another country. And giving Bulgaria land can not be positive. It will breed a statis undefensible border of hatred between the two nations.

Greece invaded when Bulgarian troops were attacking the invading Rumanian troops. The death of a Rumanian soldier at the hands of a Bulgarian soldier is a casus belli for Greece. Greece also notes that ethnic Greeks were being persecuted in Macedonia and Northern Epirus. Greece will also not comply to any of the German demands, as they are contrary to previous German demands, which were already complied to.

Germany revises the demands, dropping the demand that Serbia demoblize and dropping any demands to cut ties with any nations other than Russia. RUmania is quietly aproached about further, future deals while Greece is told it has till the end of March 08 to comply and pull out of the Albanian and Bulgarian lands it is occupying.

King Haakon the VII and his Prime Minister, Gunnar Knudsen, have been taking aside the representatives from various nations and discussing, in private, what Norway sees as possible from the Conference for each of the nations. After a very ternse week of numerous meetings, back-room dealings, and open conferences with all nations gathered, it appears to both Haakon and Knudsen that a deal is close to being reached.

King Haakon, in dealing with each individual representative while Knudsen deals with groups of representatives, is either pleased or disappointed at this stage in the Conference. To Germany, both Haakon and Knudsen are extremely thankful and pledge to support the revised terms. Haakon notes that this revised peace is far more just and should lead to a longer-lasting peace than the original proposal. Knudsen also relates the very unofficial word that, should Greece persist in their stubborn stance, Norway sees nothing that can be done but get the Conference over with for a peaceful resolution everywhere else and let the stubborn Greeks deal with what's sure to be an angry Germany.

Bulgaria is reminded of the fact that hostile peace often leads to war, but neither Knudsen or Haakon are against Bulgaria's stance; indeed, Knudsen in a private meeting says that Norway understands Bulgaria's position and would certainly be feeling the same way were they in Bulgaria's shoes. Rumania is commended for their high-handed approach to this fiasco and complimented on their leader's brave stance. The same is told to Serbia, and Haakon and Knudsen, in a private meeting with representatives from both nations, personally thank the two nations for working towards peace.

Greece, meanwhile, is reminded by Knudsen that as of this point almost every other nation has made agreements for peace and, should Greece persist in their belligerence, at the very least will face the combined forces of Bulgaria, Germany, and Austria in a war sure to be devestating for Greece and Greece alone. He sugests that at this point only pride holds the Greek course and pride always goeth before a fall. King Haakon puts it a bit more gently, but states outright that Norway will move along with almost total peace for the region even if Greece persists in their stance. It is suggested to the Greeks that, in the interests of preserving their nation, their people, and regional peace, they may want to eat crow and realize that in this instance they are on the losing side and will have to make some sacrifices to preserve the peace. Both Kudsen and Haakon work tirelessly trying to get Germany and Greec to be able to work out some kind of acceptable resolution.

Russia readily accepts the revised peace deal and gives a sigh of relief that war has been averted.

Greece invaded when Bulgarian troops were attacking the invading Rumanian troops. The death of a Rumanian soldier at the hands of a Bulgarian soldier is a casus belli for Greece. Greece also notes that ethnic Greeks were being persecuted in Macedonia and Northern Epirus. Greece will also not comply to any of the German demands, as they are contrary to previous German demands, which were already complied to.

Do you see the flaws of Greek logic? "when Bulgarian troops were attacking the invading Rumanian troops" was a casius belli to Greece? We feel the Greek have a misunderstanding regarding international laws.

Meanwhile to show that Bulgaria indeed does wish reconcilliation with Reasonable neighbors, we offer Rumania to drop reperations from 2 points for 5 years to 2 point for 3 years.

Greece yet again mentions the persecution of ethnic Greeks in Albanian lands. It also states it is treaty bound to invade Bulgaria, if Romania does the same. Furthermore, Greece refuses to comply to German demands, given that Germany played no part in this war whatsoever, and British and Italian mediation in the matter is requested. Greece is currently in a favourable position occupying much Albanian land, and sees no reason to withdraw. It must be noted that Greece has already withdrawn from Bulgarian lands to comply with the original German request.

Do you see the flaws of Greek logic? "when Bulgarian troops were attacking the invading Rumanian troops" was a casius belli to Greece? We feel the Greek have a misunderstanding regarding international laws.

Meanwhile to show that Bulgaria indeed does wish reconcilliation with Reasonable neighbors, we offer Rumania to drop reperations from 2 points for 5 years to 2 point for 3 years.
We reserve the right to choose what our Casus Belli is.

Greece yet again mentions the persecution of ethnic Greeks in Albanian lands.

This is denied.

It also states it is treaty bound to invade Bulgaria, if Romania does the same.

This is put down as false as no formal treaty has existed that states Greece is obliged to aid a Belligerent Rumania.

Furthermore, Greece refuses to comply to German demands, given that Germany played no part in this war whatsoever, and British and Italian mediation in the matter is requested. Greece is currently in a favourable position occupying much Albanian land, and sees no reason to withdraw. It must be noted that Greece has already withdrawn from Bulgarian lands to comply with the original German request.

We do not think you have thought out the consequences of continuing this tone. Nevertheless Sofia must be informed all the same.

Meanwhile to show that Bulgaria indeed does wish reconcilliation with Reasonable neighbors, we offer Rumania to drop reperations from 2 points for 5 years to 2 point for 3 years.

Rumania happily accepts this change, King Carol I speaking highly of "renewed relationships between Balkan nations and long and continued friendship in the future."

Rumania quietly tells Gree e that they are getting off lightly with the German demands, noting that they have been forced to give up territory in addition to reparations.

Greece states that it has no reason to comply to German demands as Germany played no part in this war.

Britain points out that it will remain neutral in the matter, but informs Austria that Britain will not tolerate a counter-invasion of Greece, and calls for Greek troops to return to Greece and for a cecessation of hostilities to begin.

By this point in the conference, both PM Knudsen and King Haakon VII see the goal within their grasp but held away by the stubborness of the Greeks. In a meeting with the British representatives, Knudsen informs them that Haakon's government sees the situation as simple: if Greece relents in the face of overwhelming international pressure, the situation can be solved. But, if Greece continues in her course it seems clear that much more serious repercussions will be levied upon Greece by angry Austro-Hungarian forces and politicians and Norway is determined to prevent this second scenario.

Knudsen suggests that Britain lean on Greece harder, as by stating what amounts to some kind of support of Greece in the event of invasion, Britain is practically obligated to attempt to talk the Greeks out of the course of action they are taking. Knudsen suggests both Norwegain and British representatives approach Greece at the same time to try to wrangle a peace deal out of them, as options appear to be running out to shift the stubborn Greeks from a course of national lunacy.

King Haakon VII has by now stopped all attempts at delegatingresponsibility and, with only the aid of a translator, spends hours trying to reason with the Greeks in the hope of making them realize the folly of what they are doing. Noting recent actions, in which Austro-Hungarian troops have begun to push Greek troops out of captured regions with heavy losses, Haakon suggests that Greece take Germany's terms of peace while Greece still has armies in the field and some leveraging power- if Greece continues to wait, they will no longer be in Albania and will instead be facing an invasion of their own nation by angry Austro-Hungarian forces. He begs the Greeks to consider the pointless blood being spilled over Albania and suggests that, if the Greeks truly are concerned about the people of Albania they will agree to terms, remove their troops, and allow Albanians to live their lives peacefully and without foreign nations tearing up the countryside in pointless battles.

In the midst of the potential escalation of the conflict, Sir Edward Grey arrives in Oslo. He informs the Greeks that Britain will support Greece if, and only if they agree to withdraw now and agree to the German demands. Britain feels that if on the other hand the Greeks do not withdraw from Albania, then Britain will withdraw any support Greece would have had in the event of an Austrian invasion, and leave Greece to the mercy of the Austro-Albanian vengence.

The weary Albanian delegated arrived at the confrence. He had one goal, peace. His nation was tired of war, tired of fighting, and wished for it to cease. He knew the Greeks were stubborn, and he knew the proposition that had been offered to the Albanians by the Greeks. He rose and spoke to the delegates.

"Albania just wishes for peace. However, we were unjustly attacked, and feel we should not seceed any part of our young nation to the Greeks. We do not understand the Greeks motives behind this war, except to be impearlistic and gain all the land they can. We are open to discussing terms for peace."

OOC: Greece, was your TG considered IC, or OOC? And also, where the German terms for peace the ones on the second or third post on the first page?

King Frederick the VIII of Denmark arrived in Oslo and starts putting forward Denmarks view. Dismissing the Danish observers that where there to relay what is happening there to the King.

As soon as the King enters and at an appropriate lull he speaks.

"As you know evre since that unpleasant affair with the south parts of Jutland, we, the kings of Denmark have adopted a policy of Neutrality. However this policy does not prevent us from giving us opinion. I urge the King of Greece to re-consider the merits of such military action and the costs to the people of Greece and to the wider European community should such a war continue to be pro-longed. Greece, withdraw and enter into negotiations to reparate those nations affected."

While using the language of international diplomacy you could tell he was speaking personally with his brother, who happened to be the king of greece emotionally concerned for both him and the familes name in Europe.

"In the need for peace, Albania proposes the following peace terms:"

Greece shall,

1.) Completely remove all forces from Albania, Bulgaria, and any territories under their contol.
2.) Will pay one point per year to Albania, for three years.
3.) Will pay one point per year to Bulgaria, for three years.
4.) Will pay one point to Austria, sometime over the next five years.
5.) Drop all claims to Macedonia and any other territories under the control of Albania and Bulgaria

Greece will not pay Bulgaria any money, as Greece only moved to protect Greeks in Bulgaria, and withdrew to keep peace with Germany even though it could have done much more damage to Bulgaria. It will also not pay Austria any money, as Austria entered the war of its own free will.

The Albanian Representative passed a note to the German, Bulgarian and Austrian delegations. It read:

Greece won't accecpt terms. We feel that we should increase our demands if they continue to not accecpt. Albania would greatly appreciate 1 point a year for 5 years. They should not be able to dictate terms, as they were the illegal aggressors. We appreciate your support.

Greece will pay Albania reparations, and finds 1 point a year acceptable. A note is passed to Albania:
Bulgarian meddling in Macedonian affairs is well known. It is no secret that the Bulgarians are continuing to fund the IMRO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Macedonian_Revolutionary_Organization) whose sole aim is to bring the whole of Macedonia under Bulgarian control. Perhaps you should choose your allies more wisely. We offer to withdraw from all your territory, and pay 1 point a year for 5 years at the very least, if this guarantees us peace with you.

Another note is passed on to Albania:
Furthermore, we will reduce our regular army down to 100,000 troops, to reassure Albanian fears regarding future attacks

Albania passes a note in reply to the Greeks.

We can accecpt to this. Will pre-war borders be established?

A note is passed back:

So long as Austrian troops cease their actions against us, and the safety of ethnic Greeks in Albanian territories is assured, then pre-war boundaries will be established.

A note in reply:

While we can not garuntee Austria will cease his actions, we will do the best in our power to make sure he does. I'm sure if peace is established all parties will cease actions. And we have no intents of persecuting anyone.

Then a situation of peace exists between our two nations.

"Excellent, but I think we need the terms in a legal document. Therefore Albanian proposes the following:"

Albania - Greece Peace Treaty

Greece shall,

1.) Completely withdraw from Albanian and all Albanian territories immieadtly.
2.) Greece shall pay Albania one point a year, for five years, beginning in 1910.
3.) Greece shall not increase the size of it's standing army to more then 100,000 men.

Albania shall,

1.) Continue to pressure all involved parties to come to a peace agreements.

Both nations shall,

1.) Establish further dimplomatic relations.
2.) Shall begin negotitations of a "Non-Agression Treaty" between the two states.

"We hope this is accecptable. We will not allow Bulgaria or Austria-Hungary to use Albania as a launching point for attacks againt the Greeks, should they not agree to peace."

The Peace Treaty is wholey acceptable to the Greek Gov't, and is signed immediatly.

Regarding Bulgaria, the Greek Gov't has already withdrawn troops from Bulgaria and ceased military operations which could have crippled the country, and the peaceful actions which were undertaken by the Greek Gov't effectively constituated a ceasefire, and declaration of peace.

OOC: >.< I forgot to put in that the you would begin paying me in 1910, I'll add it in if thats fine with you?

That's fine.

The Albanian delgeate rose, visibly excited.

"I am very, very pleased that Albania has come to peace terms with the Greeks. It can only better both nations. We look forward to increased relations in the future."

King Haakon VII continues to urge the passage of any peace treaty to bring closure to the Balkans, but is privately heard by some diplomats (not Greek, of course) he has gotten closer with over the length of the conference to be muttering that any peace treaty signed by the Greeks will probably be worth only its weight in paper. However, in public, Haakon states Norwegian support for the Albanian plan, nevertheless realizing that someone may want to levy harsher terms upon Greece. Whatever the case, Haakon VII by now sees peace in sight and is frantically trying to get the assembled diplomats to agree to the best peace plan to stop the situation in Greece- which, at this point, is the one signed by Albania and Greece.

The Bulgarians bluntly state that they have been outraged time and again by Greek actions since the begining of Aggressions, Time and again have we heard stupid excuses and unbeliveable comments, as if they think we are but blithering idiots.

We must inform his majesty King Haakon that whilr the basic GERMAN TERMS are not accepted we cannot see any point of remaining here and to be continued to be insulted.

Only when they are accepted along with further terms which we will ask as compensation for this continued audacity that peace might be considered.

We fully support the Bulgarians in their cry for compensation for the war. We strongly urge the Greeks, now that they have been thrown out of Macedonia, to seek a peace deal similar to what our two nations agreed upon. Albania urges all nations to seek peace, instead of continuing senseless fighting. The goal has been reached, we do not need to do more.

Sweden finally sends famed pacificist Klas Pontus Arnoldson to the conference and hopes that he will be of some assistance...

The Bulgarians bluntly state that they have been outraged time and again by Greek actions since the begining of Aggressions, Time and again have we heard stupid excuses and unbeliveable comments, as if they think we are but blithering idiots.

We must inform his majesty King Haakon that whilr the basic GERMAN TERMS are not accepted we cannot see any point of remaining here and to be continued to be insulted.

Only when they are accepted along with further terms which we will ask as compensation for this continued audacity that peace might be considered.
The Greek diplomat laughs openly at this foolish comment:
"The Greek Army still outnumbers the Bulgarian army, and we informally declared the war between our countries over when we withdrew voluntarily, despite having the upper hand. Instead of marching straight in to your capital, which was perfectly feasible, we chose just to take Bulgarian Macedonia. We entered the war with you due to Rumanian aggression, and the actual damage caused by Greeks in Bulgaria is minute, compared to the carnage and chaos that would have ensued, if we chose to destroy your nation. Perhaps you should show some thanks, that we ended the war so quickly."

"THAT SIR, IS ENOUGH!!" Protested the Bulgarian Representative angerly, "WE WILL TAKE NO MORE FURTHER INSULTS!".

The Representative then conformed himself, "Our apologies to other representatives present but we shall retire from negotiations until a formal and public apology is issued for this obscene and revolting treatment and attitude, until then we will be staying in a hotel in Oslo and wait"

The Representative then bowed in respect to the other representatives and exited the conference.

"The Bulgarian Diplomat has proved himself to be most unreasonable. He must control his emotions before he is to rejoin us. Then perhaps he can explain to the Albanian diplomat and myself, about Bulgarian dealings in Macedonia, and the persecution of ethnic Greeks."

PM Knudsen rises to his feet, pounds his fist on the table, and roars at both the Bulgarian and Greek Representatives. "Enough! The both of you sit down and quit this pointless and vexing quarreling! Would the Bulgarian please sit back down- I will deal with both of you.

"First- you, from Bulgaria. Are you really so uncaring of the goal for peace that you will leave the conference now when your input is most needed? Can you not simply ignore comments that are being made by the Greeks expressely to bridle you? Sit down and continue to negotiate, no matter what the Greeks may say! Your nation has sent you here to do just that!

"Now, you, from Greece- your attitude has been nothing but trouble since you arrived at this conference. It took you a major military defeat to even consider negotiating and then you negotiate with only one nation in the region! You snipe at the Bulgarians, you infuriate the Germans, and you drive away every other diplomat at the conference! This ends now! Face the facts- if you do not make a peace deal with Germany, both Germany and Austria-Hungary will levy peace upon you as the victors in a conflict! The only roadblock to peace in the area is you and you are not budging from the path! There is no one to blame for what will result if you continue in this vein of thought except yourself! Think about your people and start acting as you need to in order to save them!

"If you are so concerned about persecution of ethnic Greeks, hand over the area to an outside peacekeeping force who has no claim to the region! Let a foreign power not present within the Balkans place monitors in the region to make sure that there are no violations of human rights taking place! Norway (and I a sure the other Scandinavian countries) would be more than happy to send the men required to assure you that no atrocities are taking place! If that is your sole final stumbling block, consider it removed! Consider it removed and approach this conference with the attitude you should have come with in the first place."

Standing up to address the greek representative,

"I know, and I am sure that you also, know that myself, and the King of Greece, George the first issued forth from the same woman, perhaps if I could oversee the peacekeeping force and have Danish Soldiers form a part of the peacekeeping force maybe that will ease both your mind and the kings."

Of course king Frederick VIII knew that his parliment was currently in dissarray the only question is would it be forever stalled or would it be able to get through. If only his PM could restore the parliment to what it was before the Alberti Scandal. and with those comments and thoughts

Having being snubbed by the Norweigan King the following message is relayed to the Conference:

"We are dissapointed that the conference fails to take into consideration the many international agreements the Greek have broken during their aggressions.

While we have peace in mind we cannot simply ignore every Greek comment because all comments have therfore been either insulting, obnoxious or a violation of common logic. Our nation doesn't feel that this can be put under the catagory of "progress".

Therefore we are resolved to return to Sofia and address the Greek in the only way they understand, We are nonetheless grateful for the progress made with Rumania."

With that the Bulgarian Diplomat returns to Sofia and anounces the continuation of hostilities against Greece.

"In response to the points made by the Norwegian King, I must state that handing over areas to become an international protectorate was the first comment made by myself in this conference. Also, how can we make peace with a country we are not at war with. We withdrew from Bulgaria before Rumania did, we declared war on Bulgaria before Rumania did, and yet, now Bulgaria seems to think it has the upper hand? In the interests of peace, the Greek Ambassador offers .5 points each year for five years, so long as this money is not invested in the Bulgarian military, and instead invested in the people and economy. To the Austrians, we give nothing. They entered this war not against us, but in response to Rumanian aggression, and now they are just to attack us on the grounds of the nation's pride is in need of a boosting. The seas will run red with blood before the flag of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is hoisted over Athens. And to Germany, we are not war with them, and nor do we have any wish to be. The King's own son, a former Prussian Army Officer, and honourary German Field Marshall, is currently on his way to Berlin to attempt to patch up our relationship. Lastly, we commend the efforts of the Albanian diplomat to bring peace to the Balkans."

Privately, the diplomat knew that the war had turned in to a disaster. The cowardly actions of the French and Italians, had led to the withdrawal of Russian support, and the Rumanians were quick to give in. Serbia, although it had mobilised, faced destruction from the Germans if it joined in the war, and the Greeks had no ill feelings towards the Serbians because of this. The current Gov't would surely lose in the next elections. An upcoming Cretan politician, Eleftherios Venizelos, was forming his own party, the Liberal Party, which had gathered much support amongst the population, especially the soldiers.