THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1935. THE REVOLT IN GREECE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22520, 14 March 1935, Page 8

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1935. THE REVOLT IN GREECE

While it may have been difficult to distinguish between the reliable and the unreliable reports concerning the happenings of the past few days in Greece, there can. at least be no doubt about the collapse of the rebellion. The Government has triumphed decisively over the insurgents, though at a heavy cost. The military and naval operations have presented a confused picture, and on neither side ■ do the leaders appear to have exhibited conspicuous ability. Among the rebel forces on the mainland demoralisation has somewhat rapidly set in, enabling the Government troops to break down their resistance. The naval chapter of the revolt, dramatically inaugurated in the seizure by the rebels of the more important vessels of the fleet, seems, if not yet quite terminated, to have practically reached an inglorious close. In Crete, despite the presence of M. Yenisei os, the rebels evidently found no stronghold, and they are reported to have surrendered all the warships with the exception of the cruiser Averoff. On this vessel M. Venizclos and many rebel officers are said to have departed and to have landed on Italian territory. The Government at Athens may feel itself to be reasonably secure. No doubt it will take drastic steps to consolidate its position and to discourage further manifestations of revolt. But that its victory will be of an enduring character it would be somewhat rash to assume. The significance of a revolt on such a scale cannot be disregarded. Clearly there are elements in the population of Greece that are strongly opposed to the present regime, as well as other uncertain elements which are simply prepared to align themselves on the side which seems to them to be the stronger. Almost it would appear that the revolt might have been successful if the plpns of the rebels had been better laid, and if it had not been, as the circumstances suggest, prematurely launched. Although he has appeared only in the background, the most interesting figure in the whole episode is the veteran Greek statesman and patriot M. Venizelos, and it is to the feud between him and the Premier, M. Tsaldaris, that the revolt is generally ascribable. Born in Crete seventy years ago, M. Yenizelos has had a stormy career, and has been .credited with having led more insurrections than any other living man. Comparatively recently, however, he was, by virtue of his role of promoter of a Balkan League, described as “ the first prophet of pacifism that the fiery south-west corner of Europe has sent out since Biblical days.” Seven times Premier of Greece within the last twenty-four years, M. Venizelos had, as the result of elections which deprived him of a majority, to resign towards the end of 1933 and make way for M. Tsaldaris. The re-election in October last of M. Zaimis as President of Greece was another victory for the Tsaldaris Government, which had bent every effort towards frustrating the candidature of M. Venizelos, who was backed by the Opposition forces. The present Greek Premier is a Monarchist, but Avhen assuming office he gave assurance that he would not question the republican form of government. Now, presumably to allay popular apprehension, the Government at Athens is declaring that republicanism in Greece is endangered only by the Venizelos partisans.