The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-29
By KEITH SCOTT WATSON

Dy nGAAH OOOAA "AA OOAN United Press Staff Correspondent
 Athens, Greece; Jan. 29-CUP)- Premier Gen. John Metaxas S Greece's strong man and military hero, died today, but his successor Alexander Corizis, pledged Greece tc fight on against Italy under the leadership of King George.
 Metaxas, who led Greece through three months of triumphant war fare against Italy, died at 6:30 a m. (11:30 D. m. EST Tuesday,, Il was announced officially, after un- dergoing a throat operation Satur- day.
 Corizis, former head of the Ma tional bank, was named premier al a special cabinet meeting. In a proclamation issued shortly after ward, he affirmed his determination to carry on the policies of MetaHaS
 Corizis told the nation:
 'The historical road driven py Metaxas already is deep-rooted III the conscience of the Greek people.
 Corizis reappointed the cabinet that served under MetaXaS.
 Metaxas, it was disclosed, com plained of a sore throat after the regular cabinet meeting January IT and retired to his country home al Kiffisia. Friday his condition be- came serious and he underwent Ill operation for septicemia Saturoay
 Given Blood TransfuSi0n
 He was given a blood transtuslon Monday. but his condition failed tc improve. He underwent three more transfusions, but at 3 a. m. today fell into a coma. He died three and a half hours later.
 Saddened crowds gathered outside general headquarters, but there were no demonstrations. The body will lie in state at the Cathedral com mencing today. The funeral will be held Friday,
 Corizis, who was head of the Van derbilt relief fund in Greece, ana his cabinet issued a joint proclama- tion pledging themselves to carry on the work of MetaXas under the leadership of the king and with the aid uf the Greek people who are fighting with great success.
 Corihs, a close friend of King George. was esteemed highly by the late famed Eleutherios Venizelos, nine-time premier, who died in 1886 Tn 1917, he went to Jerusalem on a secret mission for Venizelos.
 But Corizis never was interested in party politics, and his appoint ment was considered symbolic ol Greek unity.
 Before Metaxas died, it was re- yealed, he spoke with King George and Gen. Alexander PapagoS, com mander-in-chief of the Greek fight ing forces. Metaxas' wife and the Archbishop of Athens also were at his bedside.
 After the special cabinet meeting King George issued proclamation sayin:
 T assure the Greek people that the whole Metaxas program will be continued under the same govern ment."
 The joint proclamation by CorizlS and his cabinet said:
 Under the leadership of the king and with the aid of the Greek peo- ple who are fighting with great self sacrifice, we will continue the na' tional program with the conviction that the nation will carry on the struggle to a victorious end anc that Greece will fulfill its great destiny. .'
 Metaxas had turbulent public \ career. He was exiled twice fol plotting revolution, but eventually was able to put into the practice the lessons of his long military study 1T Germany when Italy invaded Greece last October.
 His government was severe ant dictatorial, brooking no interference Foremost disciplinarian, Metaxa! expected the people to do as the! were told. He dealt harshly witt opposition, arresting and exilint more than 100 Greek liberals in thu first two years of his premiership.
 These qualities were bred intt him through army life and he pu them to advantage when he wa! called upon three months ago tt