OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 9

OBITUARY

M. Venizelos (Received March 19, 12.45 a.m.) . Paris, March IS. The death has occurred of M. Venizelo's, famous Greek statesman. M. Venizelos, who was once described as “at once the most beloved and most hated man in 1 Greece,” had a long and stormy career in Greek He first entered the political arena in Crete, where he was born in 1864, but was compelled to flee after the 1889 insurrection. In 1897 he came into prominence as one of the leaders of the Cretan uprising, and later became head of the Island executive. His wisdom and moderation was largely responsible for the generally friendly feeling between. Crete and the Powers under whoso protection the island then was, and his farsightedness in 190 S and 1909 facilitated the union of Crete with Greece after the first Balkan War. In 1909 Venizelos was persuaded to go to Athens, where he speedily became Prime Minister with- the support of the Military League, which had taken a stand against corruption. He introduced a number of important reforms and took a prominent part in the conclusion of the Greco-Bulgarian Treaty ot 191*.. When the Great War broke out Veurnelos ardently supported the Allies, while King Constantine sympathised with the Central Powers. Differences over policy led to Venizelos having to resign, but he secured a majority at the election which followed. Further differences as to wha„ Greece’s attitude in the dispute shou d be led to a final rupture between the King and Venizelos, and the second dismissal of the latter who, m 1916, with his principal supporters, left for Crete whence he called on all true patriots to flock to the standard ot the Entente. He went from there to Salonica, where he founded a provisional government and received a generous response to his call for volunteers. The Royalist Government countered his efforts by cousin- a solemn anathema to be pronounced against him by the Archbishop of Athens. However, after the enforced departure ot King Constantine, Venizelos at Inst gained liis-way and Greece formally opened hostilities on the Allied side. During the conferences winch followed the war, Venizelos-played so brilliant a part that he became a leading figure iu the counsels of the Allies, but bis piestige in his own country sullered an eclipse and he was defeated. After being Prime Minister loi. .. lew weeks in 1924. he spent several years ot leisure in France but 1.128' saw him bring about the overthrow ot the Greek Government and. became k-adet again. During this period of office he negotiated important diplomatic and commercial treaties, greatly improving the position o£ Greece. Jn the succeeding few mouths he was in and out of otnee several times and. was finally impeached on a charge of complicity in the I’lastiras coup d'etat. Even as late as last year the veteran Liberal,, who had been eight times Premier of Greece, was still taking a hand in the politics of the country, it being asserted that-the revolt which then occurred was largely due to him. l>>e rising was suppressed aud Venizelos, who had taken refuge in Paris, was tried in his absence and sentenced to death.