Verdict on a Verdict

Ten days after the Greeks had gone to the polls, the U.S.-British-French Mission for Observing the Greek Elections drafted a unanimous, heartening report. As a result of scientific sampling, questionnaires, intelligence supplied by 240 observers, and statistical analyses, the Mission found:

P: "The elections were, on the whole, free and fair, and the results represent a true and valid verdict of the Greek people."

P: "60% of the validly registered actually voted." [Other estimates varied from 50% to 75%.]

P: "The 40% who did not vote included an estimated 9.3% who allegedly abstained for 'party' reasons."

P: If the Communist-dominated EAM and other Left groups had voted, they would have captured 20% to 25% of the new Parliament. "This would not have altered the general outcome."

P: No significant fraud, disorder or intimidation was found.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin beamed; his bull-necked insistence on holding the elections, he felt, was now justified. Just as beamish were the Greek election winners, the royalist Populist Party, led by Foreign Minister Constantin Tsaldaris. For the time being, the Populists, despite the presence in their ranks of some extremist reactionary elements, moved warily; thousands of Greeks who had turned against the Left because of EAM terror last year might swing back if the Right disclosed a mailed fist. As Premier of a small coalition Cabinet (Right and Center) they chose Panayotis Poulitsas, an amiable nonpartisan.

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