SOLUTION LIES IN REGENCY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 22, 23 December 1944, Page 5

SOLUTION LIES IN REGENCY

ONLY RIGHTIST OPPOSITION

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) ATHENS, Dec. 20. ". In spite of the reported disapproval of King George of Greece, it appears more than probable that the political situation here will find a solution in a regency under Archbishop Damaskinos, Archbishop of Athens and Mat-,' ropolitan of Greece. Such a solution would be acceptable to all parties except the extreme Rightist minority. < > it is obvious that any able-bodied' king in exile would view with distaste, the establishment of a regency, but at the same time something must be done to restore order in Greece. Equally plain to anyone who has tested public opinion in this counti'y during the past month is the fact that the appearance of the King in Greece again would be no solution. King George's choice even now may be a most difficult one—either to acquiesce in a regency, which could be the first step to relieving him permanently of the throne, or to refuse, which must prolong the bloodshed and suffering. Refusal could bring,a speedier end to the monarchy. Here, in an atmosphere resounding with the constant clatter of small-arms fire and the thunder of artillery, the Greek Cabinet may itself be forced into the gravest decisions—to disregard the monarch's wishes and vote for the regency. Such a step wou'ld not be inconsistent with the trend in Greek politics. Continuance of the present state of affairs would mean a long and costly war to deprive the E.L.A.S. of its arms. This war, in which the justice of the British cause cannot be denied, has already reached major proportions round Athens.

CONTINUED BRITISH EFFORT. It is plain now that our forces will eventually drive the E.L.A.S. from the boundaries of Athens, but it is also plain that they will retreat to the hills. If systematic breaking up of the E.L.A.S. forces should then continue, British arms will bear the brunt of the struggle, as they do at present. This seems obvious from the very weakness of the Greek National Army, which consists at present of two regular brigades and nine battalions of the newlyraised National Guard. It will not be wise to count on the assistance of General Zervas and his gallant 12,000 now in the Epirus area, because they themselves constitute a private army of the type the British troops are striving to- disarm. Archbishop Damaskinos, vigorous, dramatic figure over six feet tall, has demonstrated his Liberal leanings on more than one occasion. Ho was also a figure in the resistance, as he used his position to the utmost during the occupation in facing down the Axis tyranny. His refusal to denounce the E.L.A.S. has cost him the favour of Rightist elements. The appearance of a Church dignitary as a candidate for the regency is not incongruous, as the clergy have always been a political power to reckon with. It will be remembered that in the capital itself a Royalist Archbishop of Athens publicly cursed Venizelos. Many of the clergy took to the mountains with the patriot bands during the German occupation, notably Archbishop Joachim, Metropolitan- of Kozani.

A quick decision on the part of the King or Cabinet could write finis_ to what is already one of the bloodiest pages in the history of modern Greece-