23 OCTOBER 1909, Page 2

The political crisis at Athens became acute on Thursday week,

when the Chamber showed signs of resisting the dictation of the Military League. An attempt was made to prevent the complete removal of the Royal Princes from the Army by arranging that they should still serve, but without high appointments. During the discussion the Prime Minister learned that the Military League was losing whatever patience it may by courtesy be , said to possess ; that the officers had confined a late number of troops to barracks ready for a coup ; and that the intention was to seize certain Deputies as hostages, dismiss the Chamber, and establish a provisional Government. The Prime Minister went hurriedly to the Palace, and the Princes then and there ended the most pressing difficulty by tendering their resigna- tions, which were signed by the King. Returning to the Chamber, M. Mavromichaeli declared that the Government would accept no alteration in its programme (the League's programme, of course), and the Deputies obediently voted without discussion all the measures presented to them. The League is evidently master of the situation. The chief challenge to its dictation comes from the commercial com- munity, which, after declaring with its hand on its heart that the purification of the country was necessary, is now objecting to the inevitable new taxes.