Affairs in Greece

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 45, 1 February 1924, Page 5

Affairs in Greece

Venizelos and Republicans UPROAR IN THE CHAMBER. PREMIER QUITTING POLITICS. [By Cable.—Prew Association.- Copyright.) London, Jan. 30. The “Daily Express’s” Athens correspondent says the Republicans have declared war upon Venizelos. Fiftynine extremists indulged- in rowdyism when M. Venizelos in the Assembly announced the re-appearance of 50 suppressed Royalist newspapers. M. Papanastasiou, leader of the Republicans, interrupted, insisting that ihe Assembly must ratify the decrees of the revolutionary Government without exception. “If you repeal the revolutionary decrees, you also repeal the sentence of the court martial which condeiAned Gounaris,” he said. M. Venizelos retorted: “Do not talk rubbish. How can we bring M. Gounaris Iback to life?” Later M. Venizelos cried to the Liberals: “You are a bad lot, you militarists, disguised as the apostles of democracy.” The Assembly was seething with excitement. M. Venizelos, pale and trembling, finally was unable to speak and was compelled to quit the Assembly. He went to bed with a heart attack. The correspondent says M. Vienizelos has notified the Council of Ministers that he is retiring from active work in a fortnight. He instructed the Ministers to exercise their powers in strict accordance with the constitution. The doctors state that M. Venizelos is suffering from enfeeblement of the nervous forces with a tendency to fainting fits. His health is endangered by the daily excitement caused by the obstructionists. —(A. and N.Z.)

M. VENIZELOS RESIGNING

(Received 1, 8.55 a.m.) Athens, Jan. 31. M. Venizelos is resigning the Premiership almost immediately owing to ill-health. There is great uncertainty as to what political developments will ensue.—(Reuter.) RESIGNATION WITHDRAWN FOR

THE PRESENT.

(Received 1, 12.45 p.m.) Athens, Jan. 31-

In response to the Cabinet ’h request, M. Venizeloes has decided to retain the Premiership for the time being, though he will not attend sittings of the Assembly.—(Benter).