itting the monarchs, Venizelos stands out prominently not only as
the most able, but as being by far the most liberal and as possessed
of the broadest vision. Toleration has been the keynote to all his
utterances and actions. He seems to have been the one man of them
all who, without ceasing to be a Greek, has been able to rise above
the atmosphere of petty jealousy, greed, and hatred that pervades
the politics of the Balkan States, especially in their mutual
relations.

Though Italian by blood extraction, descendant of the old Dukes of
Athens, Venizelos is a Cretan by birth. Beginning his public career
in his native island as a "brigand" insurgent against Turkish power,
he finally became the leader of his people, being Prime Minister of
the Cretan Government in 1909.

In that year, shortly after the revolution of the Young Turks, there
had also been a revolution in Greece, though not of so progressive a
character. The "Military League," composed of the army officers, had
been organized and began to institute certain reforms that should
end the corruption and inefficiency that had been characteristic of
Greek politics. The members of the league being military men, were
also modest enough to realize their unfitness to undertake the task
unaided, so they called upon Venizelos to take charge, he being then
the cleanest Greek in politics. This task he assumed, as prime
minister, with such ability and effectiveness that he at once became
the most popular man in Greece. Among other things he undertook a
complete reorganization of the army under the supervision of foreign
officers.

In April of 1911 Venizelos, through a British journalist, sent an
unofficial note to the Bulgarian Government suggesting an alliance
against Turkey. Five months later negotiations were also commenced
with Serbia, where a Serbo-Bulgarian alliance was suggested. But for
a while nothing definite was done, until suddenly the bigger powers
began showing signs of action. Italy, the ally of Austria, declared
war on Turkey in September, 1911, with the avowed purpose of
possessing herself of Tripoli.

This hurried the Balkan States. In March, 1912, Serbia and Bulgaria
signed a treaty of alliance. In April Greece and Bulgaria signed a
similar treaty, and a fortnight later Serbia and Greece signed
another document which made the Balkan League complete, Montenegro
acting in agreement with Serbia.

According to the Serbo-Bulgarian agreement, should the T