secret society, which is at the root of that enthusiastic demand for war
which is echoing from every quarter of Greece.

This society has been gathering men into its service for years, and making
them swear, on joining, that they will do all in their power to restore
to Greece her old possessions in Macedonia, Epirus, and Thrace, and that
they will bring these Greek peoples once more under the rule of Greece.

For years the Greeks have been in the habit of putting all the money they
could spare aside, for the use of this great League which was to free
them. Even the little children have devoted their banks and money-boxes to
the cause of liberty. In this way a large sum of money has been gathered
together, and this society, which is called Ethnike Hetairia, has been
able to arm men, and send them to the frontier to fight for their country.

King George was well aware of the existence of this society, and probably
that its members were on the frontier waiting for their chance to overrun
Macedonia and reconquer it from the hands of the Turks.

He therefore sent a message to the Turks, warning them that bands of armed
men, who did not belong to the regular army, were on the frontier, and
that he would not be responsible for any of their acts.

On March 8th, fifteen hundred of the members of this League crossed the
frontier, and were met by some Turkish soldiers, who fought them and drove
them back again.

But this band was not the only one. Another column of Leaguers made a raid
into Macedonia, took possession of two towns, and established themselves
in a strongly fortified spot.