Evening star., 1935-03-06

VenlZelOS Is a convinced republican
and he has instigated the present revo-
luton because the monarchist move
ment was gaining ground in Greece
Despite his age and despite the dis
asters which have befallen the coun-
try because Of his personal impulsive
policies, This inveterate revolutionist
still has a tremendous following in
the province. The Tsaldaris govern
ment might succeed in crushing the
rebellion, but it will certainly think
twice before it decides to offer the
Greek throne either to the former King
George or what was more likely a
few weeks ago, TO the Duke of Kent.
The people in Greece are not genu-
inely monarchistic or republican; they
are Just against any form of govern
ment which has been in power a
certain length of time.
The army, especially the Athens
Garrison. is generally monarchistic
The navy is republican.
During the 1923 revolution. when
King Constantine, after the disasters
IA 1hNLf NAIlIOl, Wdo hlIhCo OQI VI
Greece, the cruiser Averoff was an
chored at Constantinople. Its cap
tain happened to be a monarchist;
the officers sympathized with the
republicans. When the news of a
rebellion in Athens reached the flag
ship of the Greek Navy, the executive
officer of the Averoff informed the
captain he was wanted by the Greek
minister in Constantinople. When
the captain set off for shore, the
Averof pulled out to join the revo-
lutionary move, leaving the poor cap
tain in the barge watching his de-
parting cruise. He chased her for
a few hundred yards, but soon gave
up the chase, crushed by the derisive
laughter of the crew.
The increase in the British ma
tional defense estimates by about 10
per cent over last years budget caused
no furry in Washington. As matter
of fact, this increase is considered
quite modest in the light of what the
other countries are doing 1t is be-
lieved that it will be further increased
in the course of the year by what the
British call supplementary esti-
mates"
The only surprise is that Ramsay
Macdonald, the paciflst premier of
Britain, still remains in office. He
has fought all his life against big
armies and big navies, and during the
World War preferred to be called a
traitor than yield to his pacifist prin-
ciples.
But, say his former followers, Mac
has mellowed with age, and in order to
maintain himself in power, he is will
ing to compromise on his dearest prin-
ciples. Under normal circumstances,
Macdonald would have rather re-
signed his Office than accepted this
increase in national defense estimates.
But, King George is celebrating this
year his silver jubilee as King En-
peror and Macdonald wants to preside
at this function.
The British home office-the de-
partment of interiors; spending large
4OA tA4C NOkAcOAA AStAOis Va bOulb-
proof shelters at all strategic points
along the coast of Britain from the
Firth of Tay. in the north, to Corn
wall in the southwest.
The British air force will stage an
air raid to test the resistance of these
dugouts in the course of this month.
If the shelters are really bombproof
many others will be built inland; the
British are taking no chances.
X X X X
Some American ambassadors are
criticizing severely their staff for any
interest they may have outside the
daily routine work.
A few months ago one of the most
brilliant counselors stationed in the
Near East was sent for by his am