He became Premier (1910), modernizing Greek political institutions and joining the Balkan League against Turkey. In 1914 his wish to join the Allies was thwarted by the pro-German King Constantine, who later abdicated, thus enabling Greek troops to fight Germany. At the Versailles Peace Settlement he negotiated promises of considerable territorial gains—the Dodecanese, western Thrace, Adrianople, and Smyrna in Asia Minor. In the event, following the challenge of Atatürk’s army only western Thrace was gained, and he resigned. Greece alternated between monarchy and republic and his periods as Premier alternated with periods in exile.