Greek Executions.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1922, Page 2

Greek Executions.

BRITISH INTERCESSION

■ r .KALIAN AND N. 7. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ATHENS, Nov. 28 Lord Findley, British Minister at Athens, continued his efforts to secure clemency to the last. Without waiting for official notification of the formation of a new military Cabinet, he twice visited the Foreign Ministry, without avail. Finally in the middle of the night, he saw Colonel Plastyrate. leader of the Revolution. He failed here also. It is understood the Greek Government claim that, as a state of siege has been proclaimed, and all individual liberties have been suspended, the court-martial had full power to do as it liked. It claims the dead Ministers were fully responsible for the national catastrophe. When they same into power, they dismissed every general of note who happened to be anti-Royal-isl, appointing C'onstantinists, whatever their military experience. A MERI CAN COMMENT. NEW YORK, Nov. 29 The press comment on the execution of the Greek ex-Mmisters condemns the barbarity of the act, and declares the Revolutionary Government of the Greeks cannot hope to gain any support abroad or national stability on a programme of blood. The. American Charge d’ A (fairs at Athens cabled to the State Department that he had protested vigorously against the execution. ""Popular feeling is greatly shocked at the brutality, PE \CE CONFERENCE SHOCKED. LAUSANNE, Nov. 29 News of the executions at Athens caused a sensation at the Conference, and caused intense resentment, seriously prejudicing the Greeks’ cause. M - . Venizelos, when asked for an opinion on the death sentences announced, said: “1 have retired liom internal Greek politics ; therefore I am unable to give any expression of opinion on the question. . There are rumours that M. Venizelos iiT considering his resignation as head

of the Greek delegation,at Lausanne. ATHENS. Nov. 20.

Prince Andrews, who has been arrested, will shortly he tried for his life. He married Alice of Battcnburg.

YENIZEI.US BLAMED. LONDON, Nov. 28 The British Government takes the oravest possible view of the execution of the Greek (ix-Mmisters. Representations amounting almost to a threat o suspend diplomatic relations were made. The “Daily Express states: Hie execution of'the Gounans Ministers is an outrage upon civilised humanity, only paralleled by the murder of King Alexander and Queen Draga of Serbia. To execute |>oliticians because their policy was a mistaken one is to revert to savagery. We hope the British Government will sever all diplomatic ielations. History will applaud it as a decision of civilisation to ostracise the debased descendants of Pericles and Aristides. That sinister influence ot Venizelos should never be allowed to return to Britain. The fronds of Greeks will not be quite so disposed to listen to tales of Turkish atrocities in future.