Evening star., 1936-01-31
KONDY[|S, GREEK
STRONG MAN, DIES
Former Military Leaders
Passing Causes Steps
Against Trouble.


(copyright. 1896. by tho Associated Press.'
ATHENS, January 3l.-Gen George
Kondylis, 55-year- former strong
man" Of Greece, died suddenly today
from a heart attack, and the Athens
garrison was ordered to stand oy on
guard against any eventualities.
Authorities said no trouble threat
ened Immediately, but they took the
precautions in view Of recent state
mcnt by Kondylis, which caused con-
siderable apprehension, that he had
intended to use force, If necessary, to
prevent the Liberal Venizelists. who
won Sundays elections, from gaining
control.
The general, long . sufferer from
asthma, died at noon after q heart
attack during the night.
Rejecting the troubled political sit
uation, rumors soon circulated that
Kondylis was poisoned by political
enemies, but this was quickly denied
by his own associates.
Recent Political Break.
These sources said Kondylis. former
regent who split with the recalled
King George after taking leading
part in the restoration of the Greek
monarchy, was affected greatly also
by his recent political break with Jean
Theotokis, once his co-leader In the
Populist party.
Gen. Kondylis, who downed last
March's revolution. was active po-
litically until last Sundays election
for q new Assembly.
In that election his faction gained
only 63 of the 300 seats IN Parliament,
while the Liberal Venizelist group won
control of l42 seats.
A bloodless october coup, engineered
by Gen. Kondylis. ended the Greek
Republic, and plebiscite early in Mo-
vember brought an overwhelming ma
iority in favor of restoration of the
throne.
The general announced his forth.
coming withdrawal from Office after
King George started back to Greece
from London. Kondylis resigned the
premiership last November Is. and be-
came at odds with King George owe.
the latter's liberal policy.
A bachelor, long suffering from lung
trouble" Gen. Kondylis was said by
informed sources to have been keenly
desirous until the end of retaining his
political hold on the nation.
He proved his military ability during
the Balkan and World Wars, and first
entered the Greek cabinet in 1924,
being represented then as stanch
Republican.
Manifest0s Against Ruler.
In 1926, during the dictatorship of
Pangalos, Kondylis circulated man,
festos against the ruler, was appre-
hended and banished to Santorin.
Soon afterward he escaped, and
while Pangalos was on a vacation
Kondylis took command of the Athen-
ian garrison and was credited with
ending the dictatorship.
Then opposing royalty, he became
Republican premier. but soon retired.
He turned to the Populist party then,
and remained Populist until October
10, when he ousted the premier, took
over the government and decided to
recall the King.
An admirer Of Napoleon, Alexander
the Great and Julius Caesar, the gen.
erals most distinctive characteristics
were deep black eyes and long mus
taches.
Gen. Kondylis always prided himself
on his record as a soldier. having
fought in more than so engagements.
He entered the army as a private
soldier, but left it in 1905 to fight
as an irregular against the Bulgarians
in Macedonia. He was a non-com-
missioned officer at the outbreak OF
the Balkan War in 1912, fought in both
Balkan wars in Macedonia during the
World War, and later in Asia Minor.
Retirement and Return.
Upon the return of King Constan-
tine to Greece in 1920, Gen. Kondylis
resigned his command and retired tc
Constantinople, but came back after
the Kings second dethronement in
1922 and was given command of q
division in Thrace.
After the Lausanne treaty in 1928
he again resigned his commission te
enter politics.
When a counter-revolution against
Col. Plastiras and Col. Gonatas broke
out In October, 1923, although only
. civilian then, Kondylis took COM
mand Of division and marched with
such speed against the insurgents al
Corinth as to win for himself the
nickname "Thunderbolt."
With Gen. Pangalos and Capt
Hadjikyriakos, he formed the repub-
lican military and naval triumvirate
became minister Of war in the first
republican cabinet under Papanastiou
minister of interior in the cabinet Of
Michalakopoulos and leader of the
''National" party.
Exiled to Santorin by the dictator
Pangalos, he dethroned his captor b,
the coup detat Of August %, 1926, anc
became premier.
Kondylis was born in 1880 at Pro.
Iessos, Eurytania.