A BURLESQUE REVOLUTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 260, 1 November 1909, Page 4

A BURLESQUE REVOLUTION.

Revolutions have been the order of the day in the Balkans this Tear, and the Greeks apparently do not wish to be left entirely out of the running. It is hardly fair to dignify with the formal title of revolution the rising of naval officers that has just occurred at Athens; but as an indication of the state of public feeling in Greece, it demands & certain amount of attention. We have explained on a previous occasion how and why the Military League, inspired by the example of the Young Turks and anxious to encourage the aggressive tendencies of the Nationalist party, which they represent, two months ago presented an ultimatum to the King, and extorted certain concessions from him. It now appears that certain naval officers, encouraged by the weakness of the Government and the popular demand for a reformed constitution, decided to ask for similar concessions for themselves. Again, the King and his advisers were inclined to temporise and conciliate. But the ringleader in this naval plot unfortunately had political ambitions, and when he asked for a seat in the Cabinet as Minister of Marine, even King George's patience gave way. When their requests were refused, the rebels attempted to use force; but tha movement was altogether iU-concerted, and mismanaged, and it speedily broke down. The rest of the fleet remained loyal, the populace was apathetic, and the Military League, having gained its own ends, was nat at all disposed to compromise ite position by assisting the navy in this ill-timed and injudicious plot. The rebels were speedily overwhelmed, the leaders dgnominiously fled, and their capture and execution under martial law 'may be safely and speedily anticipated. Meantime, the protecting Powers have warned the Military League that fcurope will not permit any interference with the Greek constitution or with the royal rights and privileges; so that the net effect of this comic-opera revolution may ultimately be to establish King George more firmly than ever on the throne.