In view of the impending Conference of the Allies in
Paris to discuss the military and political situation in the Balkans, interest attaches to the official statement of the Provisional Government in Russia. Their representatives at the Conference, it explains, have been instructed to defend the standpoint of the Provisional Govern- ment, and to insist especially on the application of the general principle of foreign policy proclaimed by the Russian democracy. These in- structions have a special bearing on the Greek question. The Pro- visional Government could not but disapprove the means employed for the forcible substitution of one King by another. They were animated by no desire to support King Constantine, of whom they disapproved, and of whose personal policy they continue completely to disapprove, but by the impropriety of interfering in the internal affairs of the Hellenic people. They had accordingly lodged a formal protest, and refused to allow their troops to take part in the expedition into Southern Greece. The British and French repre- sentatives will no doubt show every consideration for the views of the Russian Government, but it must not be forgotten that Russia is one of the Protecting Powers of Greece, and as such is pledged by Treaty to maintain a Constitutional Government in Grecce. That form of Government having been deliberately set aside by King Constantine, the British and French Governments will have no difficulty in justifying their action as a strict observance of their pledges.
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