Venizelos Felicitated

The first effect of the formation of a cabinet under the leadership of M. Eleutherios Venizelos (TIME, Jan. 21) was its recognition by the British Government, which, through C. H. Bentinck, Charge d' Affaires, expressed the hope that it would soon be possible to send a Minister to Athens.

Premier Venizelos received congratulations upon his return to power, from his good friend and partner in Balkan scheming, Premier Pashitch of Yugo-Slavia. Premier Ismet Pasha of Turkey also proffered his felicitations. Henry Morgenthau, head of the International Loan Commission for the Succor of Greek Refugees, an ex-U. S. Ambassador to Turkey, likewise congratulated M. Venizelos. Speaking at a dinner in Athens, Mr. Morgenthau recalled his efforts to deter the Turks from "massacring Christians;" he deplored the fact that Turkey had been put in the position to win the Anatolian War (1921-22) by the transfer of French and Italian arms; he recounted his efforts in Britain at the time of the sack of Smyrna (1922) "to arouse public opinion to go after the Turk;" he concluded his speech with: "We are now witnessing a great struggle between justice and force among the nations. We in America are for justice as against force. America is going to establish justice as the ruling principle of the world." Moves were made to obtain the recognition of Greece by the U. S.

The recognition of Greece by the British Government, withheld since the beginning of 1923 when and because King Constantine's Ministers were executed by a firing squad, connoted something significant. A plebiscite is to be held in about three months' time to decide whether Greece is to stay a monarchy or become a republic. Premier Venizelos, undoubtedly the most powerful man in Greece, has it within his power to influence the plebiscite one way or the other, which he is bound to do, without, however, taking any unjust or dishonorable step.

Britain stated recently through unofficial channels that she favored a monarchy in Greece. It was thought, therefore, that Premier Venizelos may seek to induce his Party (Liberal) to favor a continuance of Kingship as he did in 1910 under very much the same circumstances.

On the other hand, Premier Venizelos said: "I will vote for a republic, but my personal preference should not influence the electorate. I returned to Greece to give the people an honest chance to vote for a republic, but if they decide otherwise I shall be among the first to acquiesce."