GREEK EXECUTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1922, Page 5

GREEK EXECUTIONS.

FEELING AROUSED. QUESTIONS IN BRITAIN. GREEKS RESENT ACTION. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 29. Cabinet is considering the situation arising out of the Greek executions. It is understood the reason for the British Minister at Athens (Mr. Lindley) having gone to Lausanne to see Lord Curxon is to protest against the executions. Greek commercial and financial circles in London resent Mr. Lindley’s withdrawal from Athens, which is regarded as a gratuitous interference with Greece’s internal affairs. They argue that but for listening to the. British Government’s sympathetic overtures in the first place, Greece would not have been in the present humiliating position technically. In the House of Commons, Mr. Wedgwood Benn drew attention to the Greek ex-Ministers’ statement that they were encouraged by the Foreign Secretary and other British Ministers. He asked Mr. Bonar Law to table relevant correspondence.

Mr. Bonar Law said he would consider the request. Mr. Noel Buxton drew attention to a report that M. Gounaris was persuaded from withdrawing the armies in Asia Minor before the Greek defeat by members of the British Government. He asked the Premier to clear the late Government of this grave charge. Mr. Bonar Law stud he knew nothing of such a report. Lord Robert Cecil asked for precedents for the withdrawal of the British Minister. Mr. Bonar Law instanced Servia. Lord Robert Cecil: “Servia was a case of murder, not execution.” Mr. Bonar Law said he would consider whether there were precedents. It seemed to him the justification for Mr. Lindley’s withdrawal was that the executions were not the work of the Government, but of a revolutionary committee. It was a barbarous act, which the Government tried to prevent.—Aua.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANGLO-GREEK TENSION. SERIOUS OUTCOME FEARED. Received Nov. 30. 5.5 p ~i. Paris, Nov. 29. The papers, commenting on the Greek executions, point out that the chief culprit, Constantine, was allowed to depart with impunity. They express the belief that serious consequences are likely to follow the Anglo-Greek tension. La Journal’s Athens correspondent states the executions were carried out at dawn by a squad of 35 soldiers, and the bodies were handed to the relatives for burial. REASON FOR THE ACTION. HIGH TREASON CHARGES. CONDUCT OF THE WAR. Athens, Nov. 29. ! In a statement giving reasons for the sentences on ex-Ministers and others, the court-martial in effect declares that the defendants knowingly concealed from the people the danger entailed by the return of King Constantine. Although Greece was departing from her alliance they decided to do their utmost to consolidate the throne of Constantine in order to enjoy office under his aegis. They stifled by terroristic methods* all expression of publie opinion, contrary to them, and finally brought about the defeat of the armies in Asia Minor. The statement adds: “Instead of urging oh Constantine the necessity of abdication, they arrar.g with General Hadjianestre to make tee pretended offensive against Constantinople, which the latter undertook, and consequently brought about the enemy’s offensive and the collapse of the Greek front in Asia Minor, thus deliberately delivering to the enemy portions of the army. Defendants were therefore convicted of conspiring to commit acts of high treason, as provided under several articles of the military and penal codes. THE BRITISH MINISTER. Athens, November 29. Th£ Hon. F. O. Lindley, British Minister, ha* p>ne to Lausanne to see Lord £nrzon.