The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-09-24
Greek R0YALIST
OFFICIALS PLOT
TO STIR PUBLIC
Elected From Office They
Conspire at Athens to
Create Discord.

Athens, Sept. 24-The proclamation
Of martial law, which. is now in force
by royal decree, has been adopted by
the government as a means OF dealing
with the elements which continue to
agttate In behalf Of the old royalist re-
ginae OF King Constantine. 1t is
drastic measure, suspending the con-
stitutional guarantees Of free speech,
speedy trial and placing the capital
and the section Of southern Greece
comprised In Atfica and Boetia In a
state Of siege, and giving to the mill
tary instead Of the civil authorities the
safeguarding Of public order.
On the abdication of Constantine
most Of his ministers and chief offic-
ers were exiled or deprived of their
functions but 1t was impossible to
make q clean sweep OF all those friend
ly to the old regime, and many of the
leaders including prominent military
men, remain at Athens. !. It is said they
hold meetings at two points, one at
Kaphissia, a suburb. and the other a
Athens, where plots are Matched and
the eventuality Of Constantine's return
looked forward to. While the new ad-
ministratton has firm hold OF affairs
and Is in complete. accord with the En-
tente Allies, yet the Entente Officials
feel there is still danger in the old
military elements which continues to
agitate with the public. and Is even
said to have some Of Its representa-
tees In the encourage Of the new king,
Martial law Is expected to reach
these military plotters. 1t Is also ex-
pected to put a stop to the flood OF
sensational runor which keeps the ig-
norant classes and the peasantry In a
continual state Of unrest, with the evil
dent purpose of making them believe
that a German victory and the return
Of Constantine are near at hand. Some
of these reports were, Of the fall OF
Verdun. the flight of the French gov
eminent from Paris, and a separate
peace by Russia The government and
the allied diplomats are satisfied that
all this is part of a, systematic cam
paign by which the Central Powers are
operating through the element favor
able to the late King.
An American official closely in
touch with recent events tells how a
report circulated, that an American
fleet was coming to support King Con-
stantine. This report was widely be-
lieved and had been printed as a fact
in the local press. One of the Kings
household met the American minister
Mr.. Droppers, and said:
cat last we are to have the Ameri.
can fleet"
T Indeed" said the American minis
ter, when is it coming"
Every soon: 1t has passed Gibra1.
tar; we have kilograms from thai
point"
ct am sorry to differ with YOU
said the minister, but I don't believe
the fleet is coming
why not, demanded the royal of
fetal ~
Because" said the minister, ''if al
American fleet is sent to Grerece thu
American minister will be one of tn,
first to know it."
This put an end to the report tina
the, fleet was coming, and it brough
about considerable GOODNESS towar'
the American authorities. ! Tt is thi
sort of rumor, for political effect, tina
martial law will seek to stop.
! The rigors Of this, martial Lax
are indicate by the rules issued by tn
commanding general Of the Athen
district. One of the prohibitions h
lays down is as follows:
'~The communication In any pub1i
manner, by expose, opinion, Of infor
nation, of anything likely to increas
in the. eyes of the people the force @
the enemy or to diminish our force o
that of orr allies, or which will attri
butte too much Importance to the dan
gers of the war and the losses 1t in
wolves, or inspires fear or uncertafnt
among the people or in the army; O
doubt upon favorable issue OF tn
war. or upon its efficacy, or upon tn
necessity to consent Of all sacrifices i
view of this ISSUE"
Another prohibition is against ez
lpressing any hope or tendency in ia
vor of the reversal Of the present re
gime." This sweeping measure puts a
end to any open plottings by the oil
] regime, but it remains to be seen t
what extent they can carry on thei
work in secret.
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