The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-10
vEanEl0S CALLS
ELECTIONS A FARCE
Says Policy Of Greek King Is Likely
to Reduce kingdom to Policy
Such as Curses Prussia.

London, Dec. a.--The full text of
the manifesto issued by Nj. venizelos,
in which the former premier of Greece
denounces the forthcoming Greek cleo
tons as political farce" has just
been received here. The most strik-
ing passa ges OF the manifesto follow:
AT the moment when a most acute
external crisis had been caused by
the European war in our country,
whose future is go closely bound up
with the issues of the war, an inter-
nal crisis superveled, caused by the
virtual abolition of our liberal regime.
After fifty years of the existence Of
the free Constitution. and at a mo-
ment when the Greek nation, gather
ing all its forces for a supreme ef-
fort, had attained great part Of its
program and had liberated millions Of
its brethren, 1t has been deemed per-
missiole to rob those who fought at
Bizani and. Kilklch OF their political
liberties By successive d;ssciutions Of
the chamber IN order to impose a
certain policy on them.
This is the beginning OF a system
in our country which Is only intelli-
gioie under a narchist regime like
that of Prussia, where the monarch
is the sovereign organ OF the State, a
system that IS the fundamental mega
ton Of our parliamentary regime,
which is essentially a republic, with
the King at its head. and under which
the people are the sovereign organ
from which all powers take their
origin.
Holding an election at time when
a great portion of the liberal depu-
ties OF the dissolved chamber are
modified and are unable TO take an
active part In the campaign; when all
that part of the population which 10
cafe bic OF bearing arms Is with the
colcrs; when To tae ballot-ooy are
called only cid men or men exempted
frora military servica for reasons OF
unfitness or for other reasons to pro-
nounce on the destiny OF the ration
In the absence Of the rest CT the
voters wnen the government. while
keeping half OF the population with
the colors, decided. as It has frankly
admitted. to grant on the eve OF the
elections leaves or absence to its sap
porters so that they may vote, while
keeping with their regiments, under
military discipline. those who are not
its supporters--hoidinga an election ur-
der such conditions is simply meth
cd Of shifting the scenery amid which
II j. the intention to enact q comedy
unworthy of a free nation. a comedy
TO which IS given the ironicaI name
OF scrutiny OF the peoples will
''In the acting OF such political
farce, the object OF which is only to
prevent a manifestation Of the popu-
lar will and 10 determine in advance
its result, SO as to obtain the appear
ance OF popular sanction for tha dis
graceful violation Of a treat OF al
lance that assisted Greece In extend
ing her frontiers to Nestos. and for
the abolition Of. the parliamentary re-
girne and the arrangement Of Greece
from her nasura, friends--ln the act
ing Of such political farce the lsb-
erat party is duty bound not to CO.
operate. SO as not to lend the appear
ance of legality TO what constitutes
essentially a violation of the constitu-
tionai charter and the moral law.
The liberal party. while abstaining
from the election. Ia not retiring from
politics. and is not deserving on the
field OF battle. It is leaving to the
government the entire responsibility
for the deviation from the parlia-
mentary regime and. for the m!sfor-
.ure into which its policy is leading
the nation"