DEATH PENALTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1922, Page 5

DEATH PENALTY.

FATE OF EX-MINISTERS. BARBARITY IN GREECE. BLAMED FOR WAR FAILURE. INDIGNATION AROUSED. By Tel.frtph.— Press tara.—Copyrlsht. Athens. Nov. 28. MM. Gounaris, Protopapadakis, Stratos. Theotokis and Baltazzi, ex-Minis-lera, have been sentenced to death. An official message states that Hadjanesiis and five ex-Ministers were found guilty this morning and shot at 11.30 a.m. Before he faced ' the firing party Hadjanestis was degraded. his badges cut off his uniform, and his sword broken. Communion was administered to the whole party. The bodies were handed to the relatives. There is an unofficial report that Prince Andrew and other Ministers will be tried shortly. The hurried executions are regarded as a defiance of Britain. M. Gotinaris was suffering from para-typhoid fever nd was unable to attend his trial. He was taken from his death bed to be shot. The death sentences imposed by the Court-martial included General Hadjanestit, former commander in lonia, while General Stratigos and Admiral Gondas, ex-Mini«ters of Communications, were sentenced to life imprisonment The sentences, except that on General Stratigos, involve heavy fines and confiscation of property. , , M London. Nov. 28. The British representatives in Greece have been recalled. News of the sentences on the Greek ex-Ministers has created a lamentable Impression. Authoritative circles in London point out that the action of the military extremists is likely seriously to affect Greece, as it will alienate the moral and financial support of the Great Powers.

BRITISH MINISTER’S EFFORTS. FAILS TO SECURE CLEMENCY. THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS. Received Nov. 29, 10.25 p.m. Athene. Nov. 28 ; The Hon. Francis Lindley. British Minister at Athens, continued efforts to secure elemenev to the last without waiting for official notification of the formation of the new military Cabinet. He twice visited the Foreign Ministry without avail and, finally, m the middle of the night, he saw Colonel Plasty rate, leader of the revolution, but tailed here also. _ , _ ■lt is understood the Greek Governtaient claim that as a state of seige was proclaimed all individual liberties were suspended and the court-martial had full power to do as it liked. It claims the Scad Ministers were fully responsible for the national catastrophe. when thev came into power they dismissed every general of note who happened to be anti-royalist, appointing Constantinfets, whatever their military experience. e-Au«.-N.Z. Cable Association. , BRITISH FEELING AROUSED. VERY GRAVE VIEW TAKEN. A RETURN TO SAVAGERY. Received Nov. 29, 9.40 p.m. London. Nov. 28. The British Government takes the gravest possible view of the execution of Greek ex Ministers and representations amounting almost to a threat to suspend diplomatic relations were made. The Daily Express states the execution of M. Gounari=' Ministers is an outrage upon civilised humanity, and is only paralleled by the murder of Alexander Draga of Serbia. To execute politicians because their policy was a mistaken one is to revert to savagery. The paper adds: “We hope the British Government will sever all diplomatic relations and history will applaud a decision of civilisation to ostracise the debased descendants of Pericles and Aristides. That sinister influence or M. Venixeloa should never be allowed to return to Britain. Friends of the Greeks will not be quite so disposed to listen to the tales of Turkish atrocities in future.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LAUSANNE HEARS NEWS. INTENSE RESENTMENT CAUSED. Received Nov. 29, 11.25 p.m. Lausanne, Nov. 29. The news of the execution at Athens caused a sensation at the Conference and caused intense Treatment, seriously prejudicing the Greeks’ cause. ’yj Venizelos, when asked for his opinion when the death sentences were announced, said: “I have retired from Internal Greek politics, and therefore I am unable to give any expression ot opinion on the question.” There are rumors that M. Vemzelos Is considering his resignation as head gf the Greek delegation at Lausanne. BARBARITY condemned. AMERICAN PUBLIC SHOCKED. Received Nov. 29, 11.25 p.m. New York, Nov. 29. Press comment on the execution of the Greek ex-Ministers condemns the barbarity of the act and declare, the revolutionary Government of Greece cannot hope’ to gain support abroad or national stability on a programme ot blood. The American Charge d Affaires ar Athens cabled to the State Department that he had protested vigorously against the executions. Popular feeling i= rreatly shocked at the brutality. PRINCE TO BE TRIED. Received Nov. 29, 11.25 p.m. Athens. Nov. *29. Prince Andrew, who has been arrested, will shortly be tried for his life. He married Princess Alice of Battenberg.