TROUBLE IN GREECE

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 3

TROUBLE IN GREECE

REPUBLICAN GUARD REVOLTS A SHORT-LIVED AFFAIR FIGHTING IN ATHENS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 9. The Athens correspondent of the ‘ Daily News ’ says that tho Republican Guard revolted and occupied a position on the hills. It demanded tho resignation of General Kondylis and rejected tho Government’s ultimatum to surrender. Fierce fighting occurred in the streets, as a result of which it is reported that forty persons were killed and 100 were wounded. The guards surrendered after a battle which lasted for several hours. CAUSE OF THE RISING. TWO VERSIONS. LOYAL TROOPS SUPPRESS REBELS. LONDON, September 10. Greece is again in the throes of anarchy. A fierce battle in the streets of Athens was reported yesterday, and disorder still prevails this morning. Different reasons are given for the outbreak. On the one hand it is stated that the Republican Guards, a body of independent regulars raised by General Pangalos in order to support the dictatorship, revolted and demanded that General Kondylis should relinquish power. On the other hand, the official version is that the Kondylis Government demanded the disbandment of the Guards, taking the view that their evidence implied the idea of a military junta. Colonels Dormilis and Zervas, commanding tho Guards, categorically refused to obey the order. Tho Athens correspondent of the ‘ Daily Express ! states that Colonel Kondylis ordered the loyal troops to surround the Guards’ barracks and make them prisoner. Tho Guards, however, had time to advance almost to the Royal Palace with tanks. A violent conflict occurred in the Boulevard Kefissia, in which several batteries ot Mount Lykahuos partook. The Guards eventually retreated to their barracks. Colonel Dermilis was wounded and made prisoner. Crowds of citizens joined in tho fighting, apparently with out understanding the issues. _ A mob captured a Government tank in front of tho lintel Del Postes and took it to tho Place de la Constitution, crying: “Down with military dictatorship. Long live the army. Long live the people. A number of military detachments were surrounded and disarmed by the crowds. There wore many fierce isolated conflicts. It is reported Unit forty persons were killed and 11)0 were, wounded. Tho battle lasted for several hours before the Guards worn made prisoner. During a bitter altercation on Tuesday Colonel Zervas told General Kondylis: “It is 1 who made von President of the Council. It is I who will unseat you when I wish.” Yesterday Colonel Zervas tried to make good his threat. Ho sent an ultimatum id General Kondylis, whose only answer was to order the loyal troops to disband tho Guards.

The Exchange Agency’s Athens correspondent confirms tho news that the mutiny of two battalions of Guards has bcocn suppressed. Ho states: “The killed and wounded on both sides number about 40 and 100 respectively. The city is normal. In suppressing the mutiny the regulars employed artillery and machine guns. President Condouriotis returned from Hydra this uvenmg.”

It was previously reported that President Condonriotis went homo to Hydra owing to a disagreement with General Kondvlis, AUTHORITIES’ STRONG STAND. MANY CASUALTIES IN STREETS. ATHENS, September 9. An armed mob attacked the Central Telegraph Office. The captain of the military guard was wounded. It is toared that there were many casualties in the streets. A state practically of anarchy prevails, crowds mobbing iso la ted soldiers and seizing a number of tanks. A later semi-official message stales that after a few hours’ skirmishing, in which there were a few casualties, the Republican Guard surrendered unconditionally. Those persons who were responsible for this revolt will stand their trial. It is added that the attitude of the authorities is applauded by the IMjoplo, although some of the Communists attempted to ferment trouble, but they failed completely. The suppression of the Guard should end military anarchy and enable the country to return to the enjoyment of constitutional liberty. The Republican Guard was a separate force, independent of the regular army, founded by General P.angalos to support the dictatorship. Whan the Government order to lay down its arms was received the Guard refused to obey, and the Government therefore had to enforce its authority by calling upon the regular army. ORDER RESTORED. ATHENS, September 10. Order has been restored. There was relatively little bloodshed, in view <u the extent of the fighting and subsequent rioting. General Kondylis, in the course of a statement justifying the measures of the Government, said: “ I am not bloodthirsty, bub circumstances rendered the .Government measures necessary.”