Bare-Faced Messiah (PDF) - Apologetics Index

After the television interview, Hubbard decided not to stay in Bizerte to entertain further media
representatives. The Royal Scotman rapidly weighed anchor and headed back to sea, leaving
latecomers to disconsolately kick their heels in the dust on the Tunisian dockside and wonder what
the trip was worth in expenses.
The arrival of the Royal Scotman on the Greek island of Corfu two days later aroused little interest
locally. Corfu was a popular port of call fur cruise liners and a busy harbour, with ships plying in
and out all the time. Apart, perhaps, from her Sierra Leonese flag, there was nothing special about
the Royal Scotman; word went round that she was one of those floating schools that had become
popular of late and vague dockside curiosity was satisfied.
Emissaries from the ship paid a visit on the harbourmaster, Marius Kalogeras, and explained that
they were representatives of the 'Operation and Transport Corporation Limited', an international
business management organization. They would shortly be joined by two other ships and intended,
they said, to stay in Corfu for some time while students attended courses on the ships. Their
logistic requirements, they pointed out, would result in a considerable injection of funds into the
island's economy, not to mention the contribution made by their free-spending students.
The harbourmaster quickly grasped the message, allocated choice berths for the 'OTC' ships in a
secluded section of the newly extended quay and promised to provide full facilities. Appraised of
this warm welcome, the Commodore began to look upon the island and the Greek people with
particular favour, even to the extent of granting an interview to Ephimeris ton Idisseon, one of Corfu's
daily newspapers, on the subject of the recent coup d'état in Greece by a clique of military officers
known as the 'Colonels'.
The interviewer's obsequiousness was only surpassed by Hubbard's obvious desire to ingratiate
himself, as fawning answer followed fawning question:
'Q. Mr Hubbard, as the international personality that you are, are you following the new situation in
Greece and what do you think of the work of the present National Government?
A. The government is the mirror of the people. Where I go and wherever the students go, the people
continually say how safe they feel. The decision to form a company to establish its headquarter
offices here shows our confidence in Greece.
Q. I have been told, Mr Hubbard, that you have read the whole of the new Greek Constitution from
beginning to end. If that's true, what do you think of it?
A. Yes, I've read it with much interest. The rights of man have been given great care in it. I have
studied many constitutions, from the times of unwritten laws which various tribes have followed,
and the present constitution represents the most brilliant tradition of Greek democracy. Out of all
the modern constitutions the new Greek Constitution is the best . . .'
Hubbard's interpretation of the ruling military junta as a democracy was somewhat at odds with
international opinion, but the interviewer failed to take issue with it.
By the time the Avon River joined the flagship in Corfu, Hubbard was so enamoured with Greece
that he decided to change the names of all his ships in honour of his new hosts. The Royal
Scotman became the Apollo, the Avon River the Athena and the Enchanter, which had been
pottering around the Mediterranean on various missions for the Commodore and frequently
breaking down, was re-named the Diana.