GREEK POLLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1920, Page 5

GREEK POLLS.

GOVERNMENT DEFEATED. OONSTANTINE MAY BE RESTORED. By TelejTjpa.~Piess Assn.—Copyright. Athens, Nov. 15. The elections resulted in a triumph for the Opposition, supporting ex-King Con.stantine's return.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. \ Received Nov. 16, 8 p.m. Athens, Nov. 16. The result of the elections has caused a sensation in Greece. It is still impossible to state the exact, constitution of the Chamber, but it is evident that M. Venizelos is defeated in Old Greece and Macedonia, all Ministers except M. Simos being defeated. M. Venizelos controls about sixty Deputies from Thrace and a hundred from Crete, the Aegean Islands, and western Macedonia. The Gounarists are bewildered at the unexpected success, wtiich is due to the unwise internal policy of M. Repoulis, and the action of a military clique surrounding M. Venizelos, particularly while M. Venizelos was away from Athens. The Government has announced, in accordance with the constitutional procedure, that the Government will hand over power to the victors at the polls without awaiting the opening of the new Chamber, and adds: "It is evident the Government has been mistaken in its expectations." It is generally hoped M. Venizelos will be able to control the situation without his supporters having recourse to violent measures.

M. Gounaris was a Germanophile during the war, and his party recently proclaimed the opinion that ex-King Constantine was the rightful ruler of Greece.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asm