The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-08 00:00:00

......
THE KINGDOM OF GREECE.

(From the Times' Correspondent)
ATHENS, Nov. 30.
It is to be hoped that the struggles for office and
the changes of Cabinets that have occupied the
minds and the tongues of the Athenians for more
than a month are now at an end, and that a truce
has been established between the factions in the
Chamber of Deputies, at least until the second
legislative period of the present House of Represen-
tatives commences next year. It is full time that
the Greeks turn from disputing about who is to be
Minister, to examining seriously what ought to be
done by whoever happens to be at the head of the
Government. Bankruptcy and anarchy both
threaten the country with a speedy visit if the pre-
sent lavish expenditure and administrative disorder
be prolonged. Yet there is still time to escape them
by honest and searching reductions.
You were informed last week that the King sent
for M. Bulgaria to form a Cabinet for the second
time within a fortnight. But the unfortunate
nomination of General Kalerges was as a mill-stone
round his neck, and he declined, pleading, as his
excuse, his age, and the state of his health. The
Court party then made a desperate attempt to
revive the system of King Otho, who delighted
to carry on the Government by Cabinets com-
posed of political dwarfs, men destitute of political
influence and personal character. M. Diomedes
Kyriakos, the Professor of Political Juris-
prudence, who is neither a deputy nor a Councillor
of State, though a man of high standing and cha-
racter, was selected to compose a Ministry inde-
pendent of party and practically subservient to the
Court. This attempt to revive an, unwise practice
awakened many unpleasant recollections and ex-
cited universal opposition. M. Kyriakos abandoned
the charge intrusted to him as soon as he found
that his nomination was ill received by the Chamber.
After the refusal of M. Diomedes Kyriakos, the
King sent for M. Bulgaris and M. Deligeorgis
together, and requested them to agree on the for-
mation of a Cabinet. Bulgaris persisted in making
the state of his health a reason for declining to take
office, and Deligeorgis has re-established his former
Cabinet, with the exception of D.I. Kalliphronas,
who makes way for M. Autonopoulos, a member of
the short- lived Bulgaris Administration.
Your readers are probably more curious to know
what is the real difference in the political principles
and administrative views between the late and pre-
sent Ministers than to learn their names. One
party calls itself Conservative, and the other calls
itself Constitutional. These designations, however,
do not aid in discovering why a large party blames
the Government of Koumoundouros, or why it ex-
pects much from the Government of Deligeorgis.
Both these political leaders took an active part in
the revolution that dethroned King Otho, and they
held office together in the revolutionary Govern-
moot ; but Koumoundouros is a politician of the old
administrative school formed during King Otho's
reign, and he held the office of Finance Minister
previous to 1861, when the Greek Government
plunged into the' career of lavish military expendi-
ture which demoralised the army, and is now para-
lysing the efforts of the nation to improve its condi-
tion.

The following are the charges usually brough
against the Conservative policy of M. Kounioun.
douros:—

1. The wasteful expenditure of his Government,
and the system of concealment practised in all
financial business, in order to escape the control of
public opinion, and prevent the people from knowing
bow the revenues are employed, even after he has
been compelled to admit the existence of a large de-
ficit.

2. The systematic hostility his Cabinet has dis-
played to every measure tending to develope the
practice of self-government. The obstacles created
to retard the election of local magistrates by the
people under the municipal law passed by the
National Assembly, and the manner in which he
has allowed the municipal revenues to be diverted
from all objects of public utility, roads, bridges,
ferry boats, police, and prisons.
3. The increasing expenditure of the army and
navy with reference to the number of men in actual
service, and the constantly increasing disorganization
of every branch of the public administration.
4. The increase of brigandage, and the increased
expenditure and oppressive conduct of the force em-
ployed to pursue, and not to destroy, the brigands.
On the other hand, the following improvements
are expected from the Cabinet of Deligeorgis.
1. The reduction of the public expenditure, pub-
licity in the public accounts, and a reform of the
arbitrary changes of officials, which renders place-
hunting the disgrace of Greek society.
2. The immediate organization of the municipali-
ties under the existing law, and the employment of
a large proportion of the local funds now wasted in
paying useless placemen for purposes of public
utility. _ _

3. The reorganization of the army and navy, and
indeed of every branch of the administration.
4. The reorganization of the National Guard on
the Swiss model.

I hear everybody around me exclaim that a great
change in the manner of conducting the govern-
ment must take place, but from the vague nature
of public opinion on the measures to be pursued, it
is probable that the change, when it comes, will be
effected by some unforeseen incident which will cora-
pelt-the people to decide suddenly and act energeti-
cally. The great reforms generally regarded as in-
evitable do not seem likely to proceed from the
counsels of Greek statesmen, or the initiative of a
Greek executive. Yet the Greeks are unanimous in
declaring that they want a strong Government. Ex-
perience proves, 'however, that they want it only on
the condition of disobeying it whenever it seems
good in their own eyes. The younger and intelligent
men unconnected with the Palace and the place-
hunting society of Athens, have great confidence in
the talents and patriotism of Deligeorgis, and every-
body who wishes well to Greece and the throne of
King George must desire his success. But the diffi-
culties he has to encounter have been greatly in-
creased by the frequent changes in the Government
that have recently happened, even though he follow
steadily the right path.
A diplomatic difference with the Italian Minister
has just been satisfactorily arranged. It deserves to
be mentioned, as it ought to warn the Greek Court
that the time is past when the acts of injustice and
the diplomatic evasions which were often employed
against the late Lord Lyons and M. Mussures,while
they were Ministers at King Otho's Court, can be
repeated with impunity.

On the 25th of October, when M. Koumoundouros
was driven from office, a crowd assembled before
the House of Representatives, and when the re..
sult of the vote was announced there was great ex-
ultation and loud cheering. A strong body of police
had been stationed in readiness to preserve order
had the Opposition been defeated. The chief of the
police, affected by that dangerous official malady,
too much zeal, ordered his policemen to disperse
the crowd and stop the public rejoicing. At this
moment several members of the diplomatic body
and the Vice-Consul of Italy quitted the Chamber
toreturn home. They mingled Al the crowd, and
the
police fell on the Vice-Cons4l, who, having the
misfortune to speak Greek welt, was taken for a
native when he asked them why they struck him.
They then explained by cutting him over the head
with a sword,
and b
Italian Ministerby beating him cruelly. The
demanded
more rational explana-
tions. His demands wereneglected and justice
evaded. At the
end of three weeks his patience
was exhausted, and he informed the Greek Govern-
ment that if he could neither obtain a satisfactory
explanation nor/ justice for the Vice_Consul, he
should quit Athens at the expiry of three days.
Then a running to and fro of officials.
Everytgrbecame clear to the understandinc, of
the 16 Hellenic Ministers who held office during the
affair. The policemen are to be punished, and
Count Della Minerva received becoming apologies
and remains in Greece.
The discussion concerning the abolition of the
Council of State, in virtue of the provision in the
108th Article of the Constitution, commenced to-
y, and is to proceed to. morrow in presence of all
thAßlinisters. The abolition can only take place