GREEK PLEBISCITE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 277, 4 September 1946, Page 5

GREEK PLEBISCITE

RETURN OF KING OVERWHELMING VOTE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. It is announced that of the 1,300,000 votes so far counted in the Greek plebiscite, more than 1,000,000 favour the return of King George 11.

The latest voting figures are given as: For the King, 649.705; for tho Republic and blanks (which counted against the King), 254,777. The “New York Times,” in a leading article on the Greek plebiscite, says the people voted not as much for the King but for law and order, peace and stability, independence, self-govern-ment and particularly against the revolutionary Left Wing with its alien ideology. Above all, they demonstrated their determination not to become Russian satellites, but to remain part of Western civilisation and democracy. “The Times,” coupling the Greek plebiscite with the results of the elections in Russian-occupied Germany, in which the Russian-sponsored Socialist Unity Party secured only a technical majority, adds that the two results are another demonstration that the people of Europe, whether victors or vanquished, are opposed to the Russian hegemony and ideology. . : The Greek Ministry of Public Order state that eight of 15 gendarmes seized north-west of Kas-toria were found dead. The fate of 40 soldiers kidnapped, by a Leftist band on the Yugoslavian and Albanian border was unknown. Athens Rejoices Thousands of congratulatory telegrams have reached the Greek King, including messages from Mr Attlee and Cabinet Ministers. Archbishop Damaskinos coupled his congratulation with a request for instructions on his future. Mr Tsaldaris left Paris for London this afternoon to meet the King. Reuter’s Athens correspondent says that Athens celebrates victory to-night with gay illuminations and bands. Mr Gonatas broadcast a denial of Republican charges that the plebiscite whs not free, and that the results were fraudulent. He said the fact that the Communists signed the electoral reports without reservation proved that the charges sprang from illwill. Mr Gonatas announced that the special security measures suspended on the eve of the plebiscite will not be reapplied “unless the minority seeks to impose its will above the crushing popular majority shown by the plebiscite.”

He added that the plebiscite vote will be repeated next Sunday in six villages in Thessaly and Macedonia where the “Communists hindered the voting.” A message from Nicosia reports that large posters appeared in the city carrying portraits of King George 11., and slogans such as “the King Conqueror has come. Union with Greece is also coming.” A Moscow radio commentator broadcasting in English, reviewing the result of the Greek plebiscite, said the reactionary policies of the Greek Government threaten to turn the Balkans into another cockpit, and involve other countries in the crash. Greece is headed for civil war as the result of British occupation. The Tsaldaris Government, supported by British troops, destroyed the most elementary rights and liberties of the people.