Mr. Henry Morgenthau, who was formerly American Ambassador at Constantinople,
and who has been organ- izing the relief of the Greek refugees, has announced that the Greek Government has offered to lend to America the famous statue of Hermes with the infant Dionysus. The statue, which was discovered at Olympia in 1877, is perhaps the most precious of all the relics of ancient Greece. The experts are agreed in attributing it to Praxiteles. Mr. Morgenthau told a representative of the Manchester Guardian that he had heard in Athens that some enterprising American was trying to form a syndicate to buy the Hermes. Members of the Greek Government to whom he mentioned the matter declared that any Greek Cabinet which sold the Hermes might just as well commit suicide, as they would certainly be torn limb from limb by the public. Mr. Morgenthau, who is the Lord Knutsford of America, then suggested that the Hermes might be lent to America in order to be exhibited, and that the " gate money " should go to the refugees. The Greek Prime Minister replied, " We can't make Hermes a beggar. But we appreciate so deeply what you have done that we will lend you the Hermes for nothing." Perhaps this is a distinction without a difference, for we hope that the effect will be to help the refugees financially. If the Hermes is really taken to America, what ship will he considered safe enough to carry it ? And for what sum will it be insured ?
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