22572 - From the delay in Unification to the delay at Gallipoli

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Panayiotis Diamadis

The delay in the Union of Krete with Hellas did not have local impacts alone. The whole process played a negative role in the organisation and the involvement of Hellas in World War One. The differences provoked a serious schism within Hellas, which had been defeated in 1897. The fact that Union occurred following the outbreak of the Balkans Wars would have impacts of its own. The only thing which somewhat saved the situation was that it occurred prior to the outbreak of World War One; otherwise, matters would have been guided to a catastrophe of other dimensions. In addition, since Hellas played the game of neutrality, in order to be covered everywhere, this would provoke the direct action of the Great Powers to influence her and to take a place in one of the great alliances. However, the assassination of the King in Thessalonike provoked problems of great influence, because his heir did not at all have the same style. Therefore, neutrality becomes problematic because it hides two divergent trends. The change of phase between the two Balkans Wars would create problems of its own in preparation. This transformed into an illogical decision with regards Gallipoli and the involvement of Hellas. Hence, Constantinople was the strategic target and the Prime Minister wished to intervene. The new King preferred one single action on behalf of Hellas. In the end, Hellas played no role at Gallipoli and after the Powers – who had suffered a defeat – abandoned the target of Constantinople and selected Thessalonike as the base for the assistance of Serbia.