It - Hu in #t Chan
TWO SIDES TO A. GREEK -STORY.
• Athens, 27th September 1856.
Sra—The English and French newspapers recently arrived here contain an account of an " incident" which has not tended to augment the good feeling of the Greek Governttient and the Allied Powers whose forces occupy the Piraeus. This account, if not onesided, is at least imperfect. The writers may not have wished to tread upon such delicate ground as the real origin of the misunderstanding rests upon, but as the suppression of a part of the truth is calculated to add to the already existing prejudices enter- tained against the Government and Sovereign, who in this taxi at least could plead a full justification for what they have done, I think it only due to the truth to ask you to insert in your columns the following short statement.
When the Allies occupied the Piraeus, instead of appointing as Command- ant-de-place one of their own officers,—a proceeding whioh would have been natural, and would have passed unperceived in the other arrangements necessitated by an occupation—theyy recognized the Commandant-de-place appointed, I believe, by General Kalergis, then Minister of War. This Mr. Menages, perhaps with no worse intention than to give himself import- ance, was in the habit of carrying to the French Admiral reports more often disagreeable to the Greek Government than agreeable to truth. This was well known to the Government; but, unwilling to take any measure to ex- asperate the ill-feeling already existing, they suffered Mr. Melingos to re- tam his post until a. circumstance came to their knowledge which rendered further forbearance impossible. Mr. Melingos reported to the Admiral, that a Greek General had just returned from making a tour of the Isles to o Ere- cure signatures to a petition praying for the nomination of the Queen's bro- ther, the Duke of 01 enburg, as heir to the throne. This General had only been to Egina to see his invalid daughter ,• and Mr. Melingos lmew this, having questioned him in presence of a third party. Of course the effect of ' this.denunciation was_ to_ put the Legations which enjoy his confidence into commotion ; and there is probably to be found among the papers of our own respected representative a protest, or something equivalent to a protest, from. the British Government, against a candidature which has never existed. Previous to dismissing Mr. Melingos, the Town-Major of Athens was de- sired to acquaint the Admiral with the intention of Government ; and it was then that he answered him, in a loud voice, " C'est moi qui suis roi au Fired," or words to this effect. These words, heard by many persons' in- stantly made the round of Athens, wherenews .is still as acceptable as of old, and were of course highly distasteful to the Queen. Mr. Melingos was at once recalled, though not dismissed, receiving another appointment ; and the note which has appeared in the Times was sent to the English and French Ministers.
The Greek Government, in, appointing a new Commandant-de-place, chase an °Seer decorated with the Legion of Honour out of compliment to the occupation ; but the French Admiral not only refused to recognize him, but even treated him with personal rudeness.
• This is the truth of the " incident," which, you will perceive, has not been fully represented in the accounts hitherto published.
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