The Allies
pursued a policy almost as tortuous as that of King Constantine. They
could not agree among themselves as to the proper policy, and took no
decided course. King Constantine apparently had the support of Russia
and of Italy.
Meantime the fighting against Bulgaria was still proceeding. The main
force of the Allies was directed against the city of Monastir, which,
after considerable fighting, was captured on November 19th. This gave
the Serbians possession of an important point in their own country and
naturally proved a great stimulus to the Serbian armies.
From that time on, and during the year 1917, little was done. Minor
offensives were undertaken, some of which, like the Allied attack upon
Doiran, deserve mention, but on the whole the fighting was a stalemate.
Meanwhile the action of the Greek Government had become so
unsatisfactory that it was finally determined to demand the abdication
of King Constantine, and on June 11th he found himself compelled to
yield. In his proclamation he said:
Obeying necessity of fulfilling my duty toward Greece, I am departing
from my beloved country accompanied by the heir to the crown, and I
leave my son Alexander on the throne. I beg you to accept my decision
with calm.
Early the next morning the King and his family set sail for Italy on his
way to Switzerland, where he became another "King in exile.
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