REPUBLICAN WIN IN GREEK ELECTIONS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8474, 20 December 1923, Page 7

REPUBLICAN WIN IN GREEK ELECTIONS

ABDICATION OF KING GEORGE.

L’ress assuc. Hv Tel. Cou vnt»m Aust.—N.Z. Cable Aa&v Bee. Dec. 20, 8.5 a.m. London, Dec. 19.

Mr Donohue, the Daily Chronicle’s- Paris- correspondent, says the Greek Monarchy has fallen as a sequel to- the overwhelming Republican vote. King George seems to have obeyed Gonatas’ request with alacrity, owing to anti-Royalists parading in front of the palace, and shouting: “Down with the Monarchy!” “Long livei the Republic!’’ The King was also told if he tarried longer in Athens his life might be endangered. The Liberal Venezelists secured at least 250 seats out of four hundred. The next strongest party is the Republicans. Venezelists were returned at the head of the poll in fifteen oonstituenei.es. The only difference between the Venezilists and Republicans is that the latter want to act immediately and proclaim a republic forthwith. A coup d’etat may abolish the monarchy before the National Assembly meets on January 1, but Venezelists will not be a party to this, as he desires any change in the regime to be accomplished by constitutional means.

The Daily Express’s Athens cory'espondcnt says the voice of the army was the decisive factor. A message in the name of all the officers of old Greece was sent to Plastyras, urging that the throne be declared vacant at once. The feeling in Macedonia is also strongly Republican. Accordingly a Cabinet meeting was summoned and an ultimatum delivered to the King, who later replied in writing, agreeing to conform with the Government’s request. He added that he also desired the people to decide the form of Government without! outside influence.

The' British cruiser Calypso has ar rived in Greek Waters.

The King leaves Constanza aboard a. Greek torpedoi boat! on Wednesday morning. Before leaving he will receive a> million drachmae. Later he will be placed on the civil pension list at one and a-half million drachmae.

Reuter’s Telegrams. Rec. Dec. 20, 11 a.m

Athens, Dec. 19

Prior to Cabinet’s communication to the King, the Republicans organised an anti dynastic meeting, the demonstrators including 1 soldiers and sailors. A speech by the former commodore in the navy was received with cries of “Down with the King!” The demonstrators marched in prccassion to the Premier's office, shouting similarly. They submitted a resolution in favour of dethronement!. Thereupon the military and political leaders conferred and informed the demonstrators that Cabinet would consider the resolution. Paris, Dec. 19.

Commenting on events in Greece, Le Matin says: “Jugo Slavia and Roumania appealed to France to endeavour to save the Greek dynasty, but the French Government wisely refrained -from interfering.”