NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 47, 19 November 1920, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

M. Venizolos lias been the Clomenceau of Greece, mid his defeat, like that of jr. Clemcnceau, seems to have come in a moment of reaction. against a loodominant personality, "I have played my part," says the defeated Pi'tniicr, and a, stirring part it lias been siuco the days when he was hunted through the ■ mountains o'f Crete" with a price on his head. Born to affluence, and educated as a lawyer, ho gave up his practice to become the spokesman of the poor and tho oppressed in Crete. At twenty he led the "barefoot party" in the detail Assembly, and under his guidniica it passed many laws for the betterment of tho people. '-Then Vcnizelcs raised the flag of Greece in Crete, and Jed a rebellion against Turkish misrule that brought the deadly fire' of tho Allied fleets on the Cretan towns. His followers wearied of a disastrous war, and planned to assassinate hiui by burning tho house in which ho was sleeping. Instead of attempting escape, ho walked out of tho front door into tho midst of an infuriated mob, and cried: "For our sake Greece has shed its blood. I shall bo faithful to it until tho end." In later years, after Creto was united to Greece, 11. Venizolos played a part of ever-increasing importance in Greek politics. Ho saved the monarchy in its moment of greatest peril, won •for the princes a place in the army, brought Constantino into popular favour, and gave him his throne. When the King, misled by false advisers and a Prussian wife, lent secret aid to the Central Powers, and turned his back on Greece's' old friends, M. Venizolos again raised the ling of revolution, and established his independent Government at Salonika. In turning her back on J/. Venize'os Greece dismisses her greatest man.

Germany's request for a reduction in the numbers of the Allied army of occupation is reasonable, provided her own disarmament is genuinely carried out. No benefit will bo derived by any nation by keeping an unnecessarily large army in being on the Rhine. It is true that Germany has to pay the bill for it, but it would bo preferable to have the same amount applied in accelerating tho indemnity and reparation paymonts which can lie used for reproductive purposes. There is no object in placing unnecessary burdens on Germany's back, and we do not want a new generation of Germans growing up with a feeling that tho world is careless what injustice fs placed on their country. Naturally the coltapso.. of President Wilson and his Fourteen Points, and tho repudiation of his handiwork by his countrymen wear a different complexion in Germany from what they do abroad. Many Germans have a feeling that they were tricked into surrender, and that the American promises on behalf of the Allies wero not only, insincere, but a deliberate ruse do guerre. As a matter of fact, Germany had reached a stage where she had no option but to surrender. Nevertheless, the Allies will bo wise to meet so far as possible such German requests as are now mndej so long as there is real endeavour by Germany to conform to the terms laid down at Versailles.

With America standing out, Russia in chaos, and the late enemy Powers excluded, the League of Nations represents principally Abe Allies and the minor States of tho world. It is an ideal to ■which for immediately practical purposes the world lias not attained. . The bureaux and secretariats set up by it have been active enough, and a vast amount, of minor work has been taken in hand. But it may be taken that nothing that is really vital to the Allies will be left for settkraenil by a conglomeration of small nations in the assembly of the League. If America eventually decides to come in, with reservations, the situation will be different, but the position there will not lie disclosed until after MaVch next, when Mr. Harding takes office, formulates his policy, and has it countersigned by the Senate. In me meantimei not much more can be done than to wish tho League well, and hope for the best. Idealists everywhere, of course, feist, that the Allied Premiers fihould fonihwith make an end of their conferences, and hand over the control of international policy to the League. Unfortunately, they do not realise that this, as things stand, would be ib iput in the seat of i>ower the little neutrai States of the war, each gulled 1 by its own ambitions and distrustful of the oiihers. Such a course could bo relied upon to Teduco to chaos again what little reconstruction has been achieved in Europe.