A crisis has occurred in Greece, ending in action taken
by the King which, in all but form, is a coup d'etat. The popu- lation of Athens held a meeting on Sunday to remonstrate against M. Trieoupi's financial policy, and orders were issued to the garrison of the capital to disperse the crowd. The Crown Prince, who commands the troops stationed in Athens, was not consulted ; and either from pique at this neglect, or from genuine dislike of the severe measures ordered by the Minister, he rode on to the Field of Mars, and ordered the Prefect of Police to cease interfering with the people. The Prefect, though he pleaded' his responsibility to the Minister of the Interior, obeyed, and M. Tricoupi imme- diately resigned. The King accepted his resignation, and appointed M. Nikolaos Delyanni Premier, with two aides-de- camp of his own as Ministers of War and of Marine. That means, of course, that the King governs and will dissolve the Chamber, in which M. Tricoupi's followers possess a decided majority. It is believed that the people, who approve the action of the Crown Prince, will send up a loyal Chamber, but the King does not care much whether they do or not. He is disgusted with recent financial mismanagement, is eager to abdicate, and will insist, if he is to remain, on having his own way. His action is unconstitutional, of course ; but if the new Parliament approves it, there is nothing to be said except that free institutions do not work very smoothly in Southern countries. They want permanent Executives with some guiding power.
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