Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08
Veni2elos Back From Eliza

Eleutherios VeniEelos, Just invited by
President Kondouriotis of Greece "a
form new cabinet at Athens. has es-
taolshed record in European politics,
He is the first World War statesman
to achieve restoration to power after
dethronement in the era of shattered
prestige which brought Lloyd Georae.
Clemenceau and Orlando to book after
Versailles, to say nothing of the tragic
fate of Woodrow Wilson. 1t was the
American war President who described
NJ. Venizelos as one of Europe's supreme
masters of statecraft. Current events
in Greece amply justify that encomium.
Few of his cotemporaries at home or
abroad have survived the political
vicissitudes, from which M. venizelos
once again emerges as the, guardian of
Grecian destinies. At the zenith of his
authority in 1920, following q period
of successful diplomacy at the peace
conference, the Cretan statesman was
ANONYMOUSLY and overwhelmingly de-
feated in the Greek national elections
Of 1920. Like American politicians,
smarting under disaster, have been
known to proclaim, M. Venizelos said
he was through with politics forever. /"
He exiled himself in q modest home in
the Rue Beaujou at Paris. He dedicated
his scholarly energies to a translation
OF Thucydides But the call to arms,
which echoed to him across Europe In
1924, proved irresistible. and he re-
turned to Athens as the triumphantly
elected president OF the national as
sembly. Gen. Danglis having proved
incapable Of organizing a cabinet, M.
veniSelos assumed the task and achieved
his third premiership. But his regime
was short-liyed. Within less than
month, the Cretan found his position
untenable in the midst Of the bitter
constitutional struggle then arisen,
and resigned the leadership of the gov
eminent. M. venizelos now resumes
the helm for the fourth time, as prime
minister Of constitutional republic
apparently resting firmly on the founda.
tons laid two years ago.
The veteran has been found indis-
pensable In the political constellation Mt
present existent in Athens. The Lib
erals, TO which group M. veniselos owes
allegiance, are the largest party In Par
lament. The Republicans concur in
the Presidents purpose to intrust the
Cretan with the premiership. but the
project is opposed by the Royalists,
who demur to q prime minister taken
from outside Of Parliament. The true
cause of opposition TO another veni-
zelosist regime is the fear that the
premier may order a general election
and secure for himself a parliamentary
backing of impregsable strength.
Pertinax, the brilliant Partisan COM
mentator on International politics,
likens NJ. venizelos to Ulysses, who, re.
turning TO Ithaca after long adventures
overseas. could not resign himself to
domestic tranquility. but maintained a
continual agitation. Greece has thrived
so substantially since the war, despite
Its chronic political upheavals, that re-
pose is manifestly its chiefest need.
Patriotic HELENE that he ia, 1t can
hardly be doubted that Eleutherios
Venizelos will fail to govern wisely,
though firmly, the ancient.modern
realm which has doubled Its population
and territory during the decade just
closing.