ANARCHY IN GREECE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 September 1926, Page 5

ANARCHY IN GREECE

REPUBLICAN /GUARDS REVOLT.

FIGHTING IN THE STREETS

ORDER FINALLY RESTORED.

BY CABLE-PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYBiaHT. LONDON, Sept. 10. Greece is again in the throes of anarchy, and a fierce battle in the streets of Athens yesterday was reported 1 , while disorder still prevails this mornDifferent reasons arc given for the outbreak. On one hand it is stated that the Republican Guards, a body of troops independent of the regular army which was raised by General Pahgalos iu order to support his dictatorship, revolted, and demanded that General Kondylis 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 existence implied the idea of a military junta. Colonels Dermiils and Zervas, commanding -the Guards, categorically refused to obey the order. The Athens correspondent of the Daily Express states that General Kondylis ordered the loyal troops to surround the Guards’ barracks and make them prisoners. The Gifards, however, had time to advance almost to the Royal Palace with tanks. A violent conflict occurred in the Boulevard Kefissia, in which several batteries on Mount Lykabuos partook. The Guards cvcntualy retreated to their ‘"barracks, Colonel Dermilis being wounded and made prisoner. Crowds of citizens joined in the fighting, apparently without understanding the issues. A mob captured a Government tank in front of the Hotel Des Postes, took it to the Plaice do la Constitution, crying: "Down with military dictatorship! Long live the army! Long live the people,” while a number of • military detachments were also surrounded and disarmed by the crowds. There were -many fierce isolated con-, flicts, and it is reported that forty were killed and a hundred wounded. The battle lasted several hours before the Guards were made prisoners. During a bitter altercation on Tuesday, Colonel Zervas told General Kondyiis: "It is I who made you president of the council; it is I who will unseat you when I wish. ” Yesterday Colonel Zervas tried to make good his threat. He sent an ultimatum to General Kondylis, whose only answer was to order the loyal troops to disband the Guards. The Exchange Agency’s Athens correspondent confirms the xeport that the mutiny of two batalions of the Guards has been, suppressed, and states: "The killed and wounded of both sides amount to about 40 and 100 respectively. The city is normal. In suppressing the mutiny the regulars employed artillery and machine-guns. President Kondouriotis returned from Hydra this evening. It was previously reported that President Kondouriotis went home to Hydra owing to a disagreement with General Kondylis. An armed mob attacked the central telegraph office, where the captain of the military guard was wounded. .It is feared there were many casualties in the streets, where a state practically of anarchy prevails, crowds mobbing isolated soldiers, and seizing a number of tanks. , -

A later semi-official. message states that after a few hours skirmishing, in which there were a few casualties, the Republican Guard surrendered unconditionally. Those responsible for this revolt will stand their trial. It is added that the attitude of the authorities is applauded by the people. Although some Communists attempted to foment trouble, they failed completely. The suppression of the Guard should end the military anarchy and enable the country to Teturn to the enjoyment of constitutional liberty. The Republican Guard was a separate force, independent of the regular army, and was founded by General Pangalos to support his dictatorship. ' When the Government order to lay down its arms was received the Guard refused to obey. The Government therefore had to enforce its authority by calling upon the regular army. Order has been restored. , There was relatively little bloodshed in view of 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, but circumstances rendered the Government's measures necessary.’’ LONDON, Sept. 9. The Daily Mail’s Athews correspondent says: The Republican Guard has revolted and occupied a position /on the hills. It demanded the resign a- / tiara of General Kondylis, and rejected ■•the Government’s ultimatum! to surrender. Fighting is in progress. —Sydney Snn Cable.