THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE 1821 TO 1833 BY W.ALISON PHILLIPS 1897

382 THE WAR OF GREEK INDEPENDENCE
Meanwhile the time was approaching for the arrival
of the new King ;
and as yet, among
all this turmoil
of conflicting factions, there was no one to represent
his authority. As he was under age, the question
of the regency was a serious and pressing one, demanding
immediate settlement. Under the present circumstances
of the country the best and safest plan would
undoubtedly have been to have appointed a committee
of regency, fairly representative of all parties; but
the hostile factions each aimed at undivided power,
and preferred plunging the country into war to surrendering
one shred of the spoils of office. The deputies
at Nauplia gave the signal for the definite outbreak
of hostilities by electing Agostino Capodistrias
Regent (icv/3epvr)Ttfs) of the realm.
By the Rumeliot party this was taken to mean
that, even after the arrival of Otho, Agostino would,
as Regent, still hold the reins of power; and Kolettes,
determined to prevent this at all hazards, decided at
once to invade the Morea, and to compel Capodistrias
to resign.
On the 6th of April he crossed the Isthmus,
at the head of a force which the Government troops
were powerless to resist. On the next day he entered
Argos, where he issued a proclamation, in which he
said that his only object was to escort back those deputies
who, in December, had been intimidated into flight