ABSTRACT
THE "Revolutionary" Government continued in power after the settlement at Lausanne, and, while George II, isolated and overshadowed, relnained a figure-head, the real power was exercised by Col. Plastfras, a singularly disinterested soldier without political experience or ambition. But, even before the Asiatic disaster, there had been a Republican movenlent, more serious than that of the early 'eighties, led by M. Papanastasfou, a politician who had studied social science in Germany. The prosecution and imprisonment of him and his friends in 1922 had increased their popularity, and there were people who regretted that a Republic had not followed the second deposition of Constantine. A counter-revolution in October, 1923, under the leadership of three Generals, gave them their opportunity. The counter-revolution was speedilycrushed by General Pangalos and Col. Kondyles, the Greek "Cromwell," as he was called, a man of rapid decisions, who now becanle prominent; but it had an unfavourable effect upon the monarchy. For the King was accused, without legal proof, of having favoured it, and feeling ran so high that the Royalist demonstration of Decenlber 9 ended in a fatal collision. When the elections to the National Asselubly took place on December 16, the Royalists, with very few exceptions, abstained, and the Liberals and Republicans, the latter now organised as a party under M. Papanastasiou, practically monopolised the Assembly, although the Republicans were still in a minority. But this minority was active and force-
1 ful. Disregarding the advice of M. Venizelos, who had been elected in 18 constituencies in his absence, a group of Republican officers demanded the deposition of the dynasty. The Cabinet suggested as a compromise, that the King's departure was desirable while the form of government was being discussed. Accordingly, on December 19, George II and his Queen left "on leave of absence," as it was euphoniously called, for her Rounlanian home, and his" provisional" withdrawal proved permanent. As in the case of his father's depositions, there was no excitement; unlike his father, he inspired neither deep affection nor intense hatred, but chiefly indifference, for he had never had a chance of showing what he could do. Admiral Kountouri6tes was, as in 1920, appointed Regent until the question of the rlgime had been decided.
