GREEK THRONE

Southland Times, Issue 22730, 5 November 1935, Page 7

GREEK THRONE

RESTORATION WANTED 98 PER CENT IN FAVOUR OF MONARCHY POLITICAL PARTIES TO BE ABOLISHED (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9 p.m.) London, November 4. A message from Athens states that the Government telegraphed to King George of Greece stating that the Hellenic people voted freely and without constraint 98 per cent, in favour of his restoration. The Prime Minister, General Kondylis, announced that the political parties would be abolished. The Venizelists largely abstained from voting. Four million Greeks were ordered to vote under penalty of £2O. New coinage has been ordered bearing the King’s head. New laws forbid any criticism of the royalist regime and the Press is censored. The army and the police were organized to ensure a loyalist majorking George of Greece after lunch went for a long walk alone through London streets. Afterwards he visited the Duke and Duchess of Kent and later dined at a West End hotel with an equerry, Major Levides. He continually received telephone messages and cables from Athens. He greeted with obvious pleasure the final message stating that 98 per cent, had voted for his return.

King George of Greece was born at Tatoi on July 7, 1890, the eldest son of the Crown Prince, later King Constantine. His mother was Princess Sophie of Prussia, a sister of Kaiser Wilhelm 11. On June 11. 1917, King Constantine was compelled by the Entente Powers to abdicate. On waving Greece he took with him Prince George, handing over the throne to his second son, Alexander. -After the mysterious death ol the latter in October, 1920, King Constantine was recalled as the result of a plebiscite. but after the disastrous campaign against the Turks in Asia Minor he had once more to abdicate on September 28, 1922, and his eldest son then came to the throne as George 11. In February, 1921, he had married Princess Elisabeth of Rumania, a daughter of King Ferdinand. Ihe Union remained childless. King George s Princess Helen, became the wife o£ H-mg Carol of Rumania, a marriage that proved very unhappy. Prince Nicholas, father ol Princess Marina, who married the Duke or Kent, was an uncle of George 11. His reign was brief. When in March. 19-4, the Republicans seized power in Athens and next day proclaimed a republic and deposed him. George II had in his turn to leave Greece. He went to Bucharest fiom which he issued a Pi'°t est against his deposition. Afterwards he divided his time between England and Rumania. At the Rumanian frontier station of Kikinda in August, 1927, an attempt was made to shoot him, but he was not injured. The sale by Queen Elisabeth of her estate in Rumania for £117,000 in 1930 led to rumours that the ex-King was about to reta ‘o throne of Greece. A report that his mar riace was to be dissolved was denied by me Queen. In December. 1934, George India where he was the guest of the Vice roy and the Maharajah of Patiala. One of the- causes of the abortive revolt which broke out in Greece in March. 1935, was said to be the fear that the Isaldans Government was about to abrogate law exiling the Royal family with a view to the restoration of the monarchy. REPUBLICAN MONARCHY NOT FAVOURED BY KING. (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.50 p.m.) London, November 4. A close friend of King George of Greece told the Daily Telegraph early this morning that it was Unlikely that the King would return with the delegation expected from Athens. , Theie were many questions to be discussed. The King did not favour a. republican monarchy as expressed in the plebiscite papers. It would be suggested that a constitutional monarchy be formed similar to that in England. _ The King expressed the opinion that a republican monarch would mean another plebiscite on his death to elect another King, whereas under a constitutional regime the King would be succeeded by his heir. His Majesty was naturally gratified with and thankful for the result of the plebiscite, but wished several points cleared up.