Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-14
MILITARY TROUBLES IN GREECE.

Greece since the month OF August has
mated October p at Sala-
Anotner mis- with a naval battle
"s.l.u;.y Of twenty minutes. The
damage was not great
one destroyer was hit by a round shot
and two men slightly wounded. salamis!
Shades Of Themistocles and Xerxes!
What II the great Athenian victor had
been there to witness the shameful COM
edy enacted by Greek insurgents under
Lieut.. Tibaldos. inglorious hero of an in
glorious Salamis
In August last there was mutiny in
the Greek army because neither king nor
parliament had performed the promise.
OF reform. In September Nj. Rhallys was
succeeded as premier because he would
not receive the mutinous military, and
NJ. Mavromichaiis succeeded. The lat
ter. yielding to the demand of the insur-
gents. dismissed the crown prince and
princes from the army, who were ac-
cused OF favoritism.
The Greek chamber met October IL.
M Mavromichalis read a ministerial
declaration which in substance was as
follows:
Never had government been exposed to
more difficult conditions. AT one time It
was menaced by the greatest dangers
and storm of anarchy threatened to
sweep everything before it. Happily or
der had been maintained and calm re-
stored A false system had been employ
ed In the administration Of public affairs.
There were cruel receptions, and other
diverse causes had profoundly wounded
the popular soul and created an abnormal
exceptional situation. But all that be-
longed TO the past. The wishes expressed
on all sides coincided with the principles
which the chamber had always main
tanned.
All were inspired by the ardent de-
sire of raising up the country by the
amelioration Of all branches II public
life. Certainly Ii was not expected that
evils which had existed since thirty years
could be remedied In thirty DAYS. The
minister confessed that these evils lad
fallen upon ALL more or less, but in that
moment 1t was necessary to face the flu
ture. The minister appealed TO all, aside
from all idea of individual or party. in
voking the enlightened patriotism Of ohe
chamber to aid in bringing up the work
of reform, which the country required.
to a successful conclusion. All should
join hands to work for the elevation OF
pa rliament to the standard of the wants
and necessities Of the country and consti-
tute parliament an efiicacious branch OF
the public service.
The minister's speech was enthusiast
tically applauded. The minister of war.
NJ. Capath,stis, declared
Ministerial that Greece wished to
v.:. maintain her army In a
good state of organiza-
ton. It should not be a menace to any
state He would submit later the follow
ing projects: First, a project concerning
the service Of the royal princes In the
army; second. a project suppressing the
pos. Of commander third. q
project suppressing the stan corps al
constituted and relative to the formation
of staff service analogous to that in
France.
The Greek chamber unfortunately 10 in
q sad state as to its composition. and as
II exists at present II does not offer
much hope OF accomplishing great re-
suits. 1t has few months OF life only
remaining. II. Theostokis. as we know,
at once, and this would have been done
but for the following reasons: First
1t was thought to be inappropriate that
an expiring chamber should be asked to
sanction the consequences Of the mu-
tiny in August. The only excuse of the
mutinous military would be in a bill
Of indemnity emanating from the coun.
try itself The question was one which
should have been brought up and II was
vexatious 1t had not been done. On the
other hand, there was an argument OF
fact against dissolution which was de-
cisive and final. and had mainly in
huenced government. To dissolve the
chamber would be to reopen the Cretan
question and run the risks Of having the
population participate I'm the elections
and thus resusc.tate all the international
difficulties which had been averted this
last summer with much difhculty. 1t can
be readily understood why NJ. Mavro-
michalis abstained from such action.
There remained the dynastic question.
The situation Of King Georgios was ex-
tremey painful and even
Oynasttc precarious. The public
o,,...;., blamed the king and his
family, and held them re-
sponsible for the mutiny. For fact, the
parliament was the real culprit. The
king Is reproached with having left the
door open to all parties. Had he. how
ever mixed up with party questions. there
is little doubt that a long time ago he
would have lost the throne. King Georsios
has circumscribed the faults committed
Dy his suDJeCtS ne SdNcu tuSui iioh ehc
abyss in which they were thrown by the
Greco-Turkish war. He has been their
advocate with Europe, and the relations
of advocate have often weighed more In
the balance than the matter which was
being weighed. The exclusion OF the
royal princes was useless and un-
ipardonable rudeness on the part of parlia-
ment. The resolution preventing the sons
OF the king from serving their country
| In the army denotes a spirit which In
dicates that envy has a greater place In
| their acts than care for public in
| terests. Political parties in Greece have
arrived at the point where II may be
| said of them that they have no faults
| left to commit The acts OF the Mill
tary League against their severe gn are
| inexcusable from every point.
The Military League, which organized
the military mutiny in Greece. is for a
fact the real power. not behind. but be-
| fore, the throne. The fiction of a con-
stitutional government Is maintained
actually by the continued existence of a
weak and unconscious parliament.
The Military League. as We have hereto
fore said, was created in emulation OF
the military mutiny in Turkey. The con-
ditions are too dissimilar for discussion.
Turkey mutinied against absolutism.
| contained all the elements to remedy the
wrongs Of which she complained. Never
| theless the military party chose to mu-
| tiny and appointed Lieut.. Tiba!dos its
agent.
The Military League on October Is
obliged parliament toSote measure with