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The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1922. THE GREEK EXECUTIONS.

Whatever views British people is ay hold concerning the Greeks in general, there can be no doubt that they view the execution of Greek Ministers with the utmost abhorrence. Apparently the new Greek Government is not responsible for this deplorable tragedy, which is ascribed to the revolutionary committee, and there is no reason to dispute the accuracy of this view. The statement issued by the eonrt-martial seeks to justify the death sentence on the ground that those who were to be shot were responsible for the return of Constantine, and wilfully concealed from the people the danger entailed by that act, which they consider led up to the defeat of the Greek army by the Turks. The acts of the men whom the court-martial condemned to death, and who have since been murdered in eold blood, were treated as a conspiracy to commit high treason, yet, as s the French Press pertinently remarks, the chief culprit, Constantine, was allowed to depart with impunity. While stronglycondemning the vengeful action of the revolutionaries, it has to be remembered that the defeat of the Greek forces humbled the nation in the dust, and that successful revolutionary leaders are not inclined to mercy or resti'aint. Moreover-. it is quite possible that had the German revolutionaries seized and tried those responsible for the Great War—even if they allowed the Kaiser to escape—in all probability, had similar treatment been meted out to them as in the case of the Greek Ministers, it would have been regarded as an act of justice. After all, it is necessary to regard such matters as these on their respective merits and -demerits. Unhappily for Greece, intrigue and duplicity have been largely responsible for her misfortunes. At the present time she is in a most precarious position, nominally possessing a responsible Government, yet actually at the mercy of revolutionaries. Although the British Government countenanced Greek opposition to Turkey, it. did all in its power to prevent the return of Constantine, knowing full well that serious trouble would arise. No blame is attachable to British sympathy with Greece in relation to Turkey—though it is easy to be wise after the event —yet it would have been a far safer policy to have shown no leaning to either side. It is no use considering what might or should have been done; the position has to be regarded in the light of facts, which have an ugly appearance. Practically the Allies are powerless to interfere, and even if they could, it is too late to save the Greek Ministers who have been shot as traitors. All they can do is to place on record their sense of condemnation of the executions. Greece will have to work out her own destiny, no matter what developments ensue. The outstanding lesson to be derived from the Greek executions is the danger of revolutions, and that, is why all the civilised nations should be prepared to deal drastically with those who foment political and social upheavals. The only safe course to take is to root out disaffection and disorder, no matter what may be its guise. Only by sane and progressive government can the interests of a na • tion he served and advanced.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19221204.2.16

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1922, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
545

The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1922. THE GREEK EXECUTIONS. Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1922. THE GREEK EXECUTIONS. Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1922, Page 4

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