New York Greeks Anxious For War.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 7, 1912:
Raise $20,000 at One Meeting, and Are Ready to Go Home to Serve.
ONE MAN GIVES HIS CLOTHES
Audience at Amsterdam Opera House Goes Wild When Pastor Tells Them to Fight.
    A call for a mass meeting of patriotic Greeks brought 5,000 of them to the Amsterdam Opera House, in Forty-fourth Street, yesterday afternoon, while at least 1,000 more were left standing outside because the building could not hold any more.
    The meeting was a wildly enthusiastic affair, and left no doubt in the mind of any one who was there that there would be plenty of volunteers from New York for service in the Greek Army, should that country fight Turkey.
    No one of the speakers said more than a few words before there was wild cheering, followed by cries of "Down with the Turks!"
    Appeals for funds to help the mother country were received with just as much enthusiasm as was talk of martial glory. The subscriptions amounted to $20,000.
    President Synadino of the Pan-Hellenic Union in America told the audience why the meeting was held in New York. He said headquarters were usually in Boston, with 140 branches scattered all over the United States. Headquarters would be in New York for a time, as all Greek volunteers and reserves of the Greek Army would sail for home from here to fight for their country.
    Mr. Papamilopulus, general manager of the union, said his country needed the help of every patriotic Greek at this juncture, and told the audience that those who could not fight for their country should help the patriotic fighters at home by contributing money. Volunteers for both kinds of service were on their feet in an instant clamoring for recognition.
    Following Mr. Papamilopulus, a venerable-looking man came to the front of the stage. Tears were streaming down his cheeks, and he held a big Greek flag. He was the Right Rev. Dr. Curculis, pastor of the Greek Church, Seventy-second Street and Lexington Avenue. After the cheering had subsided he handed the flag to a young man on the stage, and began to talk.
    "Sons and daughters of God," he said, "it is your duty to fight for the sake of God and your country. Constantinople once was held by the Christians, but now it is occupied by the infidel Turks. Your brethren in Macedonia, Albania, Constantinople, and everywhere that the Turks rule are suffering from their atrocities. These Turks are at the same time the foes of all civilization. Stand up and fight them for the sake of God, your country, and civilization." This brought everybody in the house to their feet with vows of loyalty, while women in the boxes sobbed hysterically. Hats, handkerchiefs, and even coats were thrown into the air while the speaker was returning to his seat.
    The appearance of Constantine Zampasuis, editor of Satyros, a Greek weekly paper published in this city, caused another outburst. When he first appeared on the stage he was overcome by emotion. When he was able to control himself he read an original poem, which was an appeal to patriotism. Consul General Botanis also spoke.
    Before the close of the meeting it was announced that the committee was ready to receive any money the audience would contribute. Among many who came forward to hand in money or checks there was a man of middle age. Taking off his coat and hat, he said:
    "I have no money to contribute. I am a poor man. I have only these things to give for my country."
    Even after the meeting was over a large crowd stayed to contribute, and it was 5:30 before the theatre was cleared.
    The biggest contribution was $15,000, made by the Pan-Hellenic Union, and $500 was the largest individual contribution, given by the owner of the Athens Hotel.
    Mr. Botanis, the Greek Consul General, cabled last night to King George of Greece to assure the sovereign that his subjects in the United States were willing to sacrifice anything for the King and his country.