A LOST LEADER

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 6

A LOST LEADER

Although the political history of Greece in post-war yeats has been troubled, it seemed, when the country was suddenly faced with a crisis, and Italian forces crossed the northern frontier, that General Metaxas had come to the kingdom for such a time as this. He was a man of action, and with both military and political expeiience. he was able to give the people the strong lead that created confidence. His death, therefore, must have been a severe blow to the Greek nation. Its army under his inspiration has made history foi, although outnumbered, it has thrown back the enemy, and established a moi al superiority that is the best kind of reinforcement possible. In rhe Great War the Greeks were sorely divided, but a strong man. M. Venizelos. gradually won them over to the Allied cause. Since those days Greece has lost territory in Asia Minor, ami has been faced with serious problems in providing for tlie thousands of Greek citizens who had had to be repatriated. But progress had been made, and the advent of General Metaxas promised a degree of stability formerly lacking in the national life. There is melancholy satisfaction in the fact that he lived long enough to see the fighting force organized under his leadership to go from victory to victory. His unexpecte death, occurring at a critical time when the Greeks have neeo of strong and competent leadership, is a heavy blow. The honouring of.ais memory will strengthen their resolve to carry through to a victorious end the campaign launched by General Metaxas in defence of t. eir country and their independence. The sympathy of the New Zealan people will be with their gallant Greek allies, and with the Greek community in their midst, in this national bereavement Meanwhile the victorious Greek - army under its capable, and energetic eomman. r.i, General Papagos, is worthily upholding the prestige gamed lor its country by the genius of the late national leader.