ELECTIONS IN GREECE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24820, 9 March 1946, Page 7

ELECTIONS IN GREECE

GOVERNMENT NOTE TO BRITAIN

POSSIBLE POSTPONEMENT (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. “The Greek Prime Minister (Mr Sofoulis) has sent a Note to the British Government questioning the advisability of going on with arrangements for holding the elections on March 31,” says "‘The Times” diplomatic correspondent. “The British reply is being prepared. Its tenor is not known, but the Cabinet when it last discussed the matter maintained the attitude that the elections in spite of threatened abstentions should be held on the appointed date.” "The Times” in a leading article says Mr Sofoulis has how realised his weakened Ministry lacks authority to tall Greece to the polls. It should be clear to the British Government that free elections for which it has striven can--not be held at the end of March. “If the EAM demand for a postponement is to be satisfied as it should be, EAM must be prepared to make a contribution to the general welfare,” adds the newspaper. “It must first and foremost undertake to use all its influence for the maintenance of order. EAM should also announce that it will -fully participate in the elections verdict. "All the parties must make a concerted effort to give the country the representative national Government needed to carry it through the electoral period.” Mr Sofoulis, reversing his decision, announced that the Minister of Merchant Marine (Mr John Peltekis) would be retained in the Cabinet. Mr Sofoulis earlier had said he had dropped Mr Peltekis because he had issued a political statement without consulting him. Mr Sofoulis added that he was satisfied with Mr Peltekis’s explanation.