The Daily News FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1823. GREEK INSTABILITY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1923, Page 4

The Daily News FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1823. GREEK INSTABILITY.

It may be truly said that although the ancient glory of the Greeks as a nation has long since departed, there is still left a sufficient reinnant of that fighting spirit which has throughout Grecian history been exhibited not only in warring against neighbours, but also in lights and feuds amongst themselves. It is somewhat remarkable that, in spite of invasions and cross mixtures, the Greek race has preserved most of its distinctive traits, one of which is certainly the love of strife. In recent years this unfortunate tendency has been much in evidence, and there is no knowing the direction it may take. At the present moment, as the result of the decent elections, another dynastic crisis has been brought about, the King having been informed that it was advisable he should leave the country until the National Assembly has decided upon the best regime befitting the country. Once more the wave of popular favour has set in towards M. Venizelos, who is again hailed as the only politician able to extricate Greece from the impasse, owing to his moderation on the dynastic question. The Moderate party appear to have come into power, and though a portion of the Republicans voted for Venizelos, yet their cry as a party is naturally for the deposition of the dynasty. Political turmoil in Greece has for some time past been very strong, but there were hopes that the veteran statesman (M. Zaimis) and his friends might possibly be able to form a party of reconciliation, a proposal which was deemed to have the wholehearted support of the Greek people, but the obstacles placed in the way of the advocates of conciliation proved too formidable. In stating his decision to discontinue his efforts, M. Zaimis said; - We have done.

our utmost to ensure the restoration of internal peace by uniting all moderate elements. Unfortunately our seven weeks of effort have come to nothing.” It will be seen that, apparently, the Greek people were at last beginning to realise that their internal dissensions were leading the country into disaster, and that attempts 'to arrest the evil were frustrated by an alteration in the electoral law promulgated by the Revolutionary Government, whereby officers on the active list and members of the existing Cabinet were allowed to become candidates. It will be Remembered that with the defeat of the Greeks in Anatolia and the reappearance of Turkey in Thrace the situation in the Near East was radically changed, and it is because Greece is a factor in Balkans’ affairs that it is of the utmost importance that the Greek Government should be moderate, stable and favouring peace. Bearing in.mind the strained and inimical relations between Greece and Turkey, there is a natural inclination on the part of Greece to seek the friendship of the Little Entente, especially in view of close relations being again established between Turkey and Bulgaria. As Great Britain (and therefore the Empire) stands for Balkan peace it is evident that any change of regime in Greece should be a matter of concern for the British Empire. Under all the complex circumstances of the situation there seems to be some hope that if M. Venizelos once more becomes the head of the Greek Government it may be the best event that can happen. There is, unfortunately, no stability about Greek politics, change following upon change at frequent intervals, so that it is quite likely M. Venizelos may not, if he takes office, hold it fob ally length of time. It would certainly be a good thing for Greece if internal peace could be secured on something approaching to permanent lines, and if M. Venizelos can secure this he will prove a benefactor to his country as well as a friend to the Balkan nations. The moral to be deduced from the situation in Greece is that only by a Government possessing stability is it possible for a country to thrive and become prosperous, therefore it should be the aim of the representatives of the people to place the interests of country far above those of party, and to combine against the machinations of extremists.