The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-10-26
ALEXANDER'S
SUCCESSOR
Greek Throne Likely to Be
Offered to Prince
Paul
SON OF FORMER
KING CONSTANTINE
King Alexander Died Last
Night After Long Ill
ness From Monkey Bite

Athens, Oct. % (By the Associated
Press Many difficulties regarding
succession to the Greek throne will re.
suit from the death of King Alexan.
der, which occurred last night There
is every indication the throne win be
offered Prince Paul, third son of for.
mer King Constantine but, as a condi.
ton, King Constantine must formally
abdicate and Prince George, older
brother of Prince Paul, must renounce
his rights.
1t is probable that King Constantine
will at first refuse to meet these condi-
tions, but it is understood Premier
Venizelos would produce arguments of
some Importance Constantine's finan-
cial status is well known, and ii is the
understanding that the premier will
agree TO restore the former kings sup
pressed pension, if the above terms are
accepted.
Only in the event of Constantine's
persistent refusal would there be
question of the establishment of a re-
public but it is known Premier Veni.
zelos is of the opinion that Greece
is not yet ripe for that form of govern
ment
There is also a possibility of offer
ing the throne to foreign prince, but
the premier is reluctant TO take such
a step. To begin with it would be hard
to find a suitable candidate. When
Prince Otto of Bavaria was called to
the throne of Greece in 1882, the pro-
tecting powers of Great Britain, France
and Russia gave solemn undertaking
that none of their princes would seek
the throne, an undertaking which was
renewed by King George of Great Brit
ain in 1917.
As result, the choice is narrowed
considerably. Prince Charles, the second
son of King Albert of Belgium, has
been mentioned as probate cand-
date, but King Albert recently made
it clear that if the throne should be of
fered the prince, it would be refused.
Premier Venizelos, former minister
Of marine, is believed to be the gov.
eminent official most favored for the |
appointment as regent until the success
sor of King Alexander ascends the !
throne. He was formerly a member OF |
the Saloniki government and is known |
to be friendly to the entente.
The lower chamber Of the Greek Par |
lament will be convoked Immediately |
to elect the regent.
Alexander succeeded TO the throne of |
Greece in June, 1917, when his father,
King Constantine, abdicated in re-
Spouse to the demand OF France, Great |
Britain and Russia, the three powers,
which had guaranteed the constftu.
tional liberties of the Greek people.
Alexander was the second son Of Con
stantine and at the time of his acces.
sion was not quite "a years old. His
elder brother, Crown Prince George,
was considered ineligible for the throne
because of alleged pro-Germau sym
pathes
In any event, King Constantine nom.
mated Alexander to succeed him. The
fall of Constantine had been brought
about through the agency of the
French senator, NJ Jonnart, who went
to Athens in June, 1917, as repre-
sentative of the three great powers,
1n the ground that this step would es-
tablish unity of feeling among the
Greeks and greater security for the en-
-ente forces then operating in the east.
Constantine had been accused of pro.
ierman sympathies partly on account
If his marriage to the Princess Sophie,
sister of the then Emperor William Of
Germany, and il also was charged that .
he had not acted honorably toward the
lilies. Alexander, on the other hand,
vas reported to be free from pre-. Ger
nan proclivities.
Constantine left Athens and took UP
lis residence in Switzerland.
Alexander took the oath of office at
Athens in August, 1917, and promised
o carry out the policy of his father.
This was said to have shocked the en-.
ente powers. it soon was reported
hat he was at odds with Premier |
1enizelos and had refused 20 abandon |
MS idea of continuing his fathers pro-
ram. Some doubts were raised as to
he advisability Of permitting him to
ssume the throne unless he discon-
inued what was characterized as an
destructive policy.