FIERCE FIGHT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 13

FIERCE FIGHT

GREEK LEADEES FRESH MONARCHIST PLOT PARLIAMENT HOUSE SCENE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received September 10, 5.25 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 9 A message from Athens says a new monarchist plot suddenly broke out and led to a fight on the threshold of Parliament Building, in which the Cabinet was sitting. A quarrel between General Kondylis, Minister of War, and General Panayotakos, commander of the Athens Garrison, resulted in the former, with the guard, trying to arrest General Panayotakos on the steps of the building. A fierce fight ensued. General Panayotakos received a bayonet thrust in the jaw and his brother, a Republican deputy, a bullet wound in one hand. Both were sent to hospital under a guard. The Republican element in the Army was now leaderless and the Cabinet meeting broke up. Later reports suggest that General Kondylis sought to force the hands of the Prime Minister, M. on behalf of the monarchists, and General Panayotakos kept liis forces available through Sunday night, changing the two commands and refusing reinstatement. General Kondylis ordered his arrest, hut with M. Tsaldaris' support, General Panayotakos refused to surrender. M. Tsaldaris then summoned the Cabinet, ,and 35 Royalist deputies surged in to the meeting and demanded a declaration of policy. This the Prime Minister promised without delay. It is reported that the Fleet at present at Salonika has been ordered to return to Piraeus. M. Tsaldaris announced later that a plebiscite on the question of the monarchy would' be held before November i. l ), and that the Government would remain absolutely neutral.