was put in command of the divisions told off for
Corinth and Athens, and in the evening of 9 June arrived in the Road of
Salamis, where he took up his abode on board the ironclad _Justice_.[19]

Here the most delicate part of his mission, and the one in which he
displayed most of his tact, commenced. On the following evening (10
June) he met M. Zaimis on board the _Bruix_ at the Piraeus. It was, as
we know, essential that M. Zaimis should be induced to remain in power
for a while, to bridge over the gap between the deposition of the King
and the elevation of M. Venizelos. But it was most unlikely that M.
Zaimis would consent to play the part assigned to him, if he knew what
he was doing. Therefore, at this first interview M. Jonnart did not
think fit to demand anything more than the control of the Thessalian
crops and the occupation of the Isthmus of Corinth. Agreeably
surprised at demands which fell so far short of the objects with which
rumour had credited the High Commissioner, the Premier raised no
difficulties; and M. Jonnart, in order "to gain his confidence," spoke
to him with his usual "accent of loyalty and frankness" about the
magnificent future the Protecting Powers had in store for Greece.
Then, under the pretence that he was awaiting {191} fresh instructions
that night, he made another appointment for the following morning.[11]

The Greek left, and next morning (11 June) returned to hear more. At
this second interview M. Jonnart handed to him an Ultimatum with a
twenty-four hours' limit, demanding that the King should abdicate and
go, after naming as his successor, not the legitimate Heir, but his
second son--a young man who, having no will of his own, was highly
recommended by M. Venizelos. Thus the re-establishment of
constitutional verity was to begin with the violation of a fundamental
article of the Constitution--the succession by order of
primogeniture.[12] M. Zaimis stood aghast--"wrung with emotion." M.
Jonnart spoke eloquently and urgently: the Powers only sought the unity
and liberty of Greece--the greatness of Greece, now divided, partly
dismembered, in a state of anarchy, on the eve of civil war. The High
Commissioner would do all that in him lay that the change of reign
might be accomplished in the most pacific manner. He appealed warmly
to the Premier's patriotism.[13]

According to some accounts, he added two more instances of his "loyalty
and frankness" by stating that, when the