The New York herald., 1922-11-29
GREEKS EXECUTE SIX
STATE AND MILITARY
CHIEFS FOR TREASON
Ex-Premier Gounaris Is
Among Officials Shot
by Firing Squad.
WAR DEFEAT rs CAUSE
Commander of Army at
Time Of Asia Minor Re-
treat Among Victims.
HEAVY FINES IMPOSED
King Constantine Eliminated
by Court After Having
Been Named.
HEAVY FINES IMPOSED

ATHENS, Nov. 2S (Associated Press).
Five former Cabinet officers and the
former head of the Greek army, con-
yicted of high treason in conpection
with the Greek military disaster in
Asia Minor, were executed to-day by
shooting. They were:
Former Premier Gounaris, Roto-
papadakis and Stratos: M. Theotokis,
former War Minister; M. Baltazzis,
holder Of portfolios in several former
Cabinets, and Gen. Hadjanestis, COM
mander Of the Greek forces at the
time of the Asia Minor military dis
aster.
The court had eliminated ex-King
Constantine from responsibility for
the disaster. although he originally
was named with the men who were
shot to-day.
An official announcement says:
"The sentence of the court-martial
was delivered this morning. Messrs.
Gounaris, Baltazzis. Theotokis. Roto-
papadakis, Stratos and Gen. Had1anestis
were condemned to death.
Gen. Stratigos and Admiral Gouoas
were sentenced, to penal servitude Tor
life. The military defendants were also
sentenced to degradation and the Follow
Ing fines were inflicted: Gounaris, 20O.-
0oO drachmas: Stratos, 355.000 drach-
mas; Rotopapadakis,, 100000 I Baltazzis,
100000: Theotokis, 1000, 600, and Gou-
das, 100000 drachmas.
Guilty of Betrayfng Country.
A abatement issued by the court-mar-
tial which condemned TO death the for
mer Ministers. giving the reasons Tor
ir,posinC the sentences of death. says In
effect that the defendants knowingly
concealed from the people the danger
involved in King Constantine's return
To the throne, and that, although
Greece was breaking away from her
alliances. they did their utmost to con-
solidate Constantine's throne In order
to enjoy office under him.
"By terroristic methods, the state
ment adds, they stifled all public opin-
ion CONTRARY to them, arranged with
Gem Hadjanestis a pretended offensive
against Constantinople. and thereby
brought about the enemy's offensive
and the collapse of the Greek front in
Asia Minor thus deliberately delivering
a large part of the army into the
enemy's hands.
"They therefore were convicted in
accordance with several articles of the
military and penal codes of conspiring
to commit high treason
The Greek Government, In state
ment of it's policy. declares 1t Is aware or
the difficulties of the present situation
and will do its utmost to secure the
N n
army. publication and reconstruction Of
public services, preservation of order.
protection of the legitimate interests Of
the workers and the prevention of illicit
speculation.
Gounaris Supported King.
Demetrios Gounaris had always been
a strong supporter of King Constantine.
and throughout tine war. although he de-
clared for a neutral position. he was
known as pro-German. and is said to
have engaged in numerous intrigues
with the Germans. He first became
Premier in 1915. and when, In 1917. Con-
stantine left the country at the request
Of the Allies. Gounaris also was de-
ported.
In 1920, when venzelos was defeated
in the general elections, Gournaris. who
mad led the fight against him. de-
manded the recall Of Constantine. At
that time he said In an interview !:
Constantine Is our rightful King and
we expect him back as soon as plebis-
cite is held showing that the people
want him. / do not see why France or
Great Britain should interfere. We won
the elections because the people regarded
the Venizelists as usurpers by force"
Gounaris has borne large share OF
the blame for the mistakes of Con-
stantine because OF the influence he Is
supposed to have welded over the King
The latters pro-Germanism has been
largely attributed to Gounaris and es-
pecially was the Premier blamed for
the Kings decision to undertake the
fatal campaign in Asia Minor.