Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-05-19
WHOLE NO. 111S.
Greece Drifting into q Republic.

The recent election in Greece was OF
more than national importance, and the
dispatches which announce that both
sides still claim a victory are probably
right in saying further that the true re-
suit will not be known until the Chamber
meets. Not only is the election important
from the fact that the new Provinces in
which the electoral franchise is exercised
by men to whom it is altogether new have
returned thirty-five members. but because
there is in Greece a Republican move
ment which appears now for the first time
to have reached formidable proportions.
King George has grown steadily unpopu-
lar, of late years, and the repeated re-
Dukes he has received for disregard Of
popular wishes seem not to have made
him any wiser. He has love for unre-
stricted power; appears, in fact, to think
he ought to rule with the same freedom
as the enemies to the north and east Of
him, whose yoke his country has in late
wears so fast shaken of. In 1877 he had
in Minister Bulgaris man after his own
heart, but was compelled to dismiss him
in favor of liberal Ministry. the men,
bers of which, however. after being q
short time in office, sent in their resig-
nations because the King continued. in
spite of their protests to make changes
in the army. and to sign war documents
with Russia without consultation with
them, and even without informing them.
While he was out of the country two
years ago, steps were taken by the Tri-
coupis ministry to have carried out the
provisions of the treaty of Berlin with
respect to the Greek boundary, but when
the King returned he determined to pre-
vent any steps which might lead to war.
and finally brought about the arrange
ment which reduced the frontier. When
he recently dissolved the Chamber it was
openly charged against him that he had
broken his word, and in Patras. where
the feeling ran very high, plscards were
posted with the motto: Down with the
promise-breaker." 1t Is not impossible
that the members from the new Provinces
may decide the election against the King.
From elsewhere in Greece returns ought
not to be slow in coming in. but from the
north. where the machinery Of an cleo
ton has, no doubt, worked with much
friction and squeaking, they will natur-
ally be long delayed. 1t is an unlovely
country at best; parts Of it are brigand-
ridden to an extent which has depopu-
lated many small villages in the water.
shed region, between the headwaters Of
the Salambria and the Hellacmon, and
many of its inhabitants are in wretched
poverty, ruined, as they have been, by
the military conscription. On some por-
Tens of the frontier, as at Kalarrytes.
the Hellenic spirit is strong and full OF
enthusiasm. and in the case Of kalar-
rytes this patriotism. no doubt, extends
over the border into that part of Epirus
which was left out in the cold by King
Georges action after his holiday trip IN
the north. Many Greeks besides those
living in Epirus, including those in the
important Town of Janina, are still moi
within the new frontier, and it would
not be strange if their more fortunate
countrymen over the line had expressed
their indignation at the Kings conduc
through the ballot-box. Among the thir
ty-five new members there may easily b
enough Liberals to turn the scale in tn
Chamber in favor of constitutions
Government in fact.-PaN Mail Gazette