THE SHAME OF GREECE.

Evening Star, Issue 18138, 30 November 1922, Page 6

THE SHAME OF GREECE.

There never was a more moderate revolution in its inception than that which, at the end of September, sent King Constantine of Greece into exile for the second time. In congratulating the new King on his accession to the throne, Colonel Gonatas, one of the two main leaders 'of it, stated tiiat “ tho army and navy were happy in having succeeded in 'removing from power without bloodshed those responsible for the national disaster, and also in having removed tho obstacles which, had deprived Greece of the assistance of her Allies.” The Athens correspondent of the London ‘Times’ wrote: “Unless some irresponsible individual fanatics elect to break the peace there is no reason why the abdication of King Constantine and

his expulsion, -with that of the Queen and tho families of Princes Nicholas and Andrew, should not pass off without any bloodshed.” Those promises have been rudely belied by the savage vengeance which has now been taken on five Ministers, including the Prime Minister, of the former regime, and the general who failed in Asia Minor, which 'has caused a sensation in Europe. It is riot tho custom in civilised countries to make Ministers pay with their lives for tho errors of their policy; and for the mistakes of tho Greek Government, which have caused tho Joss of territory in Asia and' Europe, with all the other consequences of a great military reverse, the Greek people have most cause to blame themselves. It was obvious that their war in Asia Minor would be hopeless if the support of the Allies should! be withdrawn from it, and that that support would' never be given to a campaign conducted by King Constantino and the old pro-Gorman gang. When they brought the old gang back to office, by an overwhelming majority, on a popular vote, they made themselves responsible for the disasters that were certain to ensue. Even Greek opinion may be revolted by tho execution of a Minister, dragged from bis dying bed to be tho target of a firing party. The Carthaginians crucified the generals who lost battles for them, but that has not been reckoned usually an example for modern States. It would appear that the Revolutionary Government rushed on these executions, despite the protests of the British and American Governments. They were an impolitic as well as an uncivilised act. At the Lausanne Conference, as also in the rehabilatation of her wrecked finances, Greece will need all the assistance of tho Powers of Europe, including her former Allies. It was a worse folly than even M. Gounaris ever committed to revolt them, in the hour of her necessity, by such a crime.