GREECE: Reds

Two years ago General John Metaxas. with the help of George II, King of the Hellenes, became Premier and soon after War Minister, Navy Minister Air Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. Added up, these offices spelled Dictator. Since that time short, fat, German-educated Dictator Metaxas has intermittently seen Red. Late in 1936 he directed one big “Red” purge. Early this year another one was staged. Between these events numerous minor roundups took place.

Last week it was evident that Dictator Metaxas’ supply of “Reds” had not given out. On one day, it was announced, 76 “Communist” agitators—75 men, one woman—were arrested and that further arrests were to follow. Among those detained were some members of the former, now defunct, Greek Parliament in which there were only 15 Communists. Before courts-martial the “Reds” were sentenced to terms of from four to six years. They will probably join some 2,000 other “comrades” being held on barren islands in the Aegean Sea by Dictator Metaxas.