Evening star., 1946-09-28
Tumu|tuous Welcome
Is Given George Il
On Return 10 Athens
BY tho kssociosed Press


ATHENS, Sept. 2S.-Hundreds
OF thousands of cheering Greeks
lined the streets of Athens today
in tumultuous welcome to King
George II, returning to his
throne after five years of war
time exile.
Fighters and bombers roared over
head as the royal party made its
triumphal entry into the capital
which was bathed in brilliant SUM-
light. The solemn monarch rode in
an open car.
The tWice-exiled King, who ar
rived last night from England,
landed at the quay at Faleron Bay
at 10 am. A slow, four mile pro-
cession took him past the masses in
the heart of the city to the magnifi-
cent Greek cathedral, where Arch
bishop Damaskinos, now relinquish-
ing his duties as regent, conducted a
solemn te deum service.
Attending the service were men,
bers of the dominant Royalist
Partys opposition. including former
Premiers George Papandreou, Pana-
Volts Kanellopoulos and Sophocles
Venizelos.
Have Trouble with Crowds.
The thousands of police and gen.
darmes who guarded the monarch's
route had difficulty restraining the
crowds, particularly in historic Con-
stitution Square, just in front of the
Parliament building and facing the
Unknown Soldiers tomb. The square
was SO jammed that it was impos-
Sible to move.
The King, wearing a military uni
form, frequently relaxed his custom
ary austerity, and smiled and waved
to the crowds. With him in the car
were Crown Prince Paul, in an ad-
mirars uniform, and Princess Fred
rika, who appeared almost overcome
with emotion.
The procession stopped at the
tomb where George placed a wreath
of Laurel, and then went on to the
old royal palace. From balcony
the King, the Crown Prince and
the Princess reviewed a mammoth
parade. led by a colorful Royalist
band from Crete, black scarves
about their heads and gold-hilted
daggers at their waists.
Most Athens newspapers told of
the Kings arrival and reception in
great headlines, but the Communist
newspapers treated it with reserve
One Communist newspaper carried
a single column headline and an
other two-column headline. The
Communist press referred to the
monarch as George, and did not
use the title.
British Guards Present.
The King was brought into Fale-
ron Bay by a destroyer escorted by
another destroyer and two escort
vessels. A 22-gun salute signaled his
departure from the destroyer Them
istocles into a launch that took him
to the quay. Six Greek Spitfres
few overhead.
British and Greek military and
naval honor guards stood at atten-
ton as the King stepped smartly
from the launch to the carpeted
quay, spread with symbolic olive
branches
The entire cabinet. headed by
Premier Constantin Tsaldaris, in
silk top hats, tailcoats and striped
trousers, greeted the King. who was
in battle dress and wore thin she'll
trimmed glasses.
Shortly after the heavily guarded
royal convoy left the quay, guns on
conical Lycabettus Hill started a
l00-gun salute.
The British honor guard was a
unit from the headquarters corps
Of the 18th Division.
The King, taken by automobile
from Eleusis Airport to a warship
flotilla in Salamis Bay, spent the
night aboard a destroyer after con-
ferences with Premier Tsaldaris;
the regent, Archbishop Damaskinos,
and other government leaders.
Tsaldaris was expected to hand in
has said he will be reappointed and
will name O new government.
Reliable sources said the King
suggested that Mr.. Tsaldaris broaden
his government to include as many
political elements as possible.
Themistokles Sophoulis, venerable
Liberal Party leader, who controls
the second largest group in Parlia
ment, seemed virtually certain OF
participation.