November 1, 1917 (delayed special cable to the New York Times)
Former Queen Sophie of Greece's "pro-German activities are being brought to the light by the translation now going on of secret correspondence between her and the Kaiser."
It is revealed that Sophie's telegrams include information on a "whole system of espionage" that had been organized "against the Allies."
The German Military Attache, Colonel Falkenhausen would travel incognito to the allied front and as far as Lake Prespa, "where he practiced espionage with the Greek authorities." He would then travel to Larissa, where he would "communicate the allied movements" to Queen Sophie by telephone. In turn, she transmitted the information to Berlin.
A dispatch to Reuters from Athens includes the texts of the secret telegrams between Queen Sophie and Kaiser Wilhelm. One telegram is dated November 23, 1916.
"By a miracle we are unhurt. The Allies bombarded the palace for three hours with the French fleet, which opened fire without warning. We took refuge in the cellars.
"There was lively street fighting together, revolutionaries firing from houses on the army and people, who fought magnificently. It was a great victory against four great powers, whose troops fled before the Greeks and withdrew, escorted by Greek soldiers.
"There is great anxiety as to the demands which the Entente will make, but we are prepared for anything. Please tell us when the army of Macedonia will be sufficiently strong to take the offensive definitely."
The Kaiser responded with: "I thank you cordially for your telegram, which has caused me deep emotion. I know the dangers through which you and Tino have passed. I admire your courage at this difficult time.
"I also note with pleasure the magnificent attitude of the army and their loyalty to the royal house. May God deliver you from this difficult time.
"The Entente once more has shown its hand and nothing remains for Tino to do but to take open action against these brutes. The intervention of Tino with his forces co-operating against Sarrail's western flank would bring about a decision in Macedonia and liberation of poor Greece. Tino knows that."
I rage when I read these things about poor Sophie.
ReplyDeleteThis article clearly calls Sophie a spy, yets fails to question why the so called "Allies" were turning their guns against a neutral country and bombing it! What a despicable time!
In 1917, one would assume that there was press censorship of some kind in the western media. If Sophie was providing information to her brother, the Allies would want to destroy that information.
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