The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-09-24
Law TO KEEP
THE OLD REGIME DOWN
Government of Greece Takes This Action
in Order TO Protect ItseIf--Some OF
Ex-King Constantine's Friends
Remain in Greece.

Athens, Sept. "a Correspondence of
the Associated Press. THE proelama.
ton of martial law, which is now in
force by royal decree, has been adopted
by the government as means of dealing
with the elements which continue to agi-
tate in behalf of the old royalist regime
of King Constantine. II is drastic
measure, suspending the constitutional
guarantees of free speech, speedy trial
and placing the capital and the section
of southern Greece comprised in Attica
and Boetia in state of siege and Civ
ing to the military instead of the civil
authorities the safeguarding of public
order.
On the abdication of Constantine most
of his ministers and chief officers were
exiled or deprived of their functions,
But it was impossible to make clean
sweep of all those friendly to the old
regime, and many of the leaders, includ
ing prominent military men, remain at
Athens, 1t is said they hold meetings
at two points, one at Kaphissia, sub
urb, and the other at Athens, where plots
are Matched and the eventuality of Com
stantine's return looked forward to-
While the new administration has a firm
hold OF affairs and is in complete accord
with the entente allies, yet the entente
officials feel there is still danger in the
old military element which continues to
agitate with the public and is even said
TO have some of its representatives in the
encourage of the new king.
Martial law is expected to reach these /
plotters. 1t is also expected to
put stop to the food of sensational |
rumor which keeps the ignorant classes /
and the peasantry in a continual state !
of unrest, with the evident purpose of .
making them believe that a German vic.
tory and the return of Constantine are
near at hand. Some of these reports
were of the fall of Verdun, the flight of
the French government from Paris, and
a separate peace by Russia. The gov
eminent and the allied diplomats are
satisfied that all this is part of a sys-
tematic campaign by which the central
powers are operating through the element
favorable 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 Constantine.
This report was widely believed and had
,een printed as a fact in the local press
)ne of the kings household met the
American minister, Mr.. Droppers, and
aid Il
"At last we are to have the American /
leet." ,
Indeed said the American minister,
when is it coming?"
Very soon; it has passed Gibraltar; :
We have kilograms from that point"
II am sorry to differ with you" said
he minister "but | don't believe the
eet is coming"
Why not2" demanded the royal Off )
ial
Because" said the minister, 'if an :,
.merican feet is sent to Greece the I
.merican minister will be one of the first i.
D know it."
This put an end to the report that the
eet was coming, and it brought about .
GOODNESS toward the Amer. e
an authorities It is this sort of rumor, e
,r political effect, that martial law will v
EEK to stop. II
The rigors of this martial law are in.
icated by the rules issued by the com
landing general of the Athens district,
ne of the prohibitions he lays down is
; follows;
"The communication in any public
anner, by expose, opinion, or informa
on, of anything likely to increase in
lie eyes of the people the force of the
lemy or to diminish our force or that of
IT allies, or which viii attribute too
UGH Importance to the dangers of the
ar and the losses it involves, or in
Tres fear or uncertainty among the
.ople or in the army; or doubt upon a +
vorable issue of the war, or upon its =
ficacy, or upon the necessity to consent n
all sacrifices in view of this issue"
Another prohibition is against express u
9 any "hope or tendency in favor of the ,
versal of the present regime This -
Keeping measure puts an end to any n
ZEN plottings by the old regime, but it
mains to be seen to what extent they e
n carry on their work in secret. y