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Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1922, Page 2

Thb revolution in Greece, though its ultimate effect upon the situation in the Near Fast is likely to be important is not yet at a stage when this effect can be estimated with any gieat confidence. At the moment the single outstanding fact is the abdication of Constantine. This manifestly is a matter for unqualified congratulation. Under Constantine. Greece lias been moving rapidly downhill during the last two years. Her military efforts have crumbled and practically everything that she gained in territory and prestige ,during the later war years, under the able leadership of Venizelos, lias been lost. According to one message, the chief aim of the Greek revolutionaries is to install a military dictatorship "in order to revive the nation’s patriotism and resume the fight against the Turks.” It seems ’Other unlikely that the Greeks are equal to the effort here suggested, or that the effort if made would have any other result than to eom”lieate the problem of establishing peace in the Near Fast, Vepizelos is probably the one man who cab rondpt Gn rep any effectual service In her V'T*

sent straits. If the people are wise .enough to recall and give united support to the great leader whom they ungratefully east out two years ago in favour of Constantine and his minions, something may yet bo saved out of the ! wreck of their national fortunes. Few men have done more than M. Venizelos to oppose and overthrow “the blasting rule of the Turk.” At the same time he is unlikely, should he he restored to i power in Greece to permit any policy of reckelss military adventure, which could only be expected to culminate in such another debacle as was witnessed lately in Smyrna. He is undoubtedly 1 capable of doing more to repair the ' fortunes of his own country and to assist in promoting peace in the Near East than the military dictatorship which appears to be in favour at the moment.