San Francisco Chronicle

March 19, 1936. This article is reprinted below.


Eleutherios Venizelos

ELEUTHERIOS VENIZELOS was called everything from the Lion of Crete to the Lenin of Greece. The range of descriptions, whether by friend or foe, indicates the many-sided activity of the man. Few men did more for their country and few have had so great a series of ups and downs.

Venizelos' last adventure, the abortive revolution, forced him to flee his loved Crete and he died in Paris. But in one of the quick reversals that marked his long political career, his party was again in the ascendancy in Greece; he had been pardoned by the new King and could have returned. Now the dead statesman will be brought back with national honors.

Venizelos reached the apex of his fame at the Paris peace conference. For his services to the allies he received for Greece rich rewards of territory, most of which was lost in the disastrous war with Turkey.

In his long political career, Venizelos led three revolutions, set up and knocked down Kings, brought Greece successfully through two Balkan wars, put his country on the side of the Allies against the German sympathies of the King, was the target for assassins on numerous occaisions, was shot and dangerously wounded once - and died in voluntary exile.

History will doubtless agree with President Wilson's verdict at Paris. that Venizelos was one of the greatest statesmen of Europe.

After life's fitful fever, may he sleep well.

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