2 OCTOBER 1909, Page 18

On Monday at Athens a meeting of some fifty thousand

people was organised to support the programme of civil and military reforms which the Military League recently forced upon M. Mavromichaeli. The resolution, as we learn from the Times correspondent, protested against the mischievous influence of parties on State affairs and against favouritism in the Army and Navy, and declared the determination of the people to supervise the Government and the Chamber till the reforms are accomplished. The King was invited to place himself at the head of the movement, and was enthusiastically cheered when he appeared on a balcony and commended the desire of the people to set their house in order. We are glad that the agitation is now clearly proved to be not anti- dynastic. The Xing has rendered one more service to Greece by tacitly ignoring the affront offered—perhaps inevitably in the circumstances—to his sons, who have all been compelled to retire, at least tempormily, from the Army. Greece is obviously emulating Turkey in denouncing her corrupt and apathetic past. We sincerely hope she will purify herself. But the difficulties are numerous. Civil reform means the supprassion of corruption. The men asked to suppress it are the very men who practise it,—the Deputies themselves.