Faultines in Greek America--1922
By Stavros T. Stavridis
This brief article is a continuation of my early one titled “ Greek American Relations: A Commentary” based on a telegram sent by the Greek-American newspaper Atlantis to President Warren G. Harding urging him to forge closer relations with Royalist Greece.

The two documents appearing below show the sharp divisions existing in the Greek American community in early 1922. It is very clear that the political problems of the Old World (palia patridha) where being repeated on United States soil. This political faultline resulted in disunity and disharmony in one of the most crucial episodes of modern Greek history. The Greek residents of Birmingham, Alabama and Baltimore, Maryland are an example of this faultline existing in Greek America.

The Atlantis would have published an editorial or even article encouraging its supporters to organise public meetings and pass resolutions supporting the Royalist cause in the United States. These resolutions were then forwarded onto the White House in Washington DC. (See Document 1)

The Venizelists would have organised their own meetings possibly in response to the editorial or article published in the Atlantis. Evangelos Kalivas acting on behalf of the Venizelists in Baltimore, Maryland sent a telegram to the White House complaining about the “ circulation of Greek Royalistic propaganda” in the United States. Furthermore the Atlantis “ did not represent the sentiment of the majority of the Greek Americans.”

This telegram acknowledges that American aid to Greece would have been welcomed, especially at a time when the Greek army was engaged in a military stalemate with the Turkish Nationalists in Asia Minor. The Venizelists were concerned that any forthcoming American support or recognition of King Constantine would have propped up a “ small oligarchy” who were “ stiffling Democracy and Constitutionalism in Greece.” (See Document 2)

Stavros T.Stavridis, Historian/Researcher, National Centre for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia email: s.stavridis@latrobe.edu.au

About the Author

Stavros Terry Stavridis was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1949 of Greek parents. He migrated to Australia with his parents in September 1952. Stavros has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Political Science/Economic History and B.A (Hons) in European History from Deakin University and M.A in Greek/Australian History from RMIT University. His MA thesis is titled "The Greek-Turkish War 1919-23: an Australian Press Perspective."

Stavros has nearly 20 years of teaching experience, lecturing at University and TAFE (Technical and Further Education, the equivalent of Community College in the US) levels. He has presented papers at international conferences in Australia and USA and has also given public lectures both in Australia and on the West Coast of the US. Many of his articles have appeared in the Greek-American press. He currently works as a historical researcher at the National Center for Hellenic Studies and Research, Latrobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Stavros' research interests are the Asia Minor campaign and disaster, Middle Eastern history, the Assyrian and Armenian genocides, Greece in the Balkan Wars 1912-13 and the First World War and history in general.

Readers interested in the works of Stavridies may read more of his fine articles posted on HCS at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/stavridisone.html.

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