Greece

It is a strange reversal of the Biblical story, in which the good shepherd goes into the hills to find one stray sheep while the other ninety and nine are safe in the fold. For in this instance the ninety and nine are out in the hills away, fighting for Hellas. The lost one, who persists in staying that way, enjoys here the shelter of the strangest fold I have ever seen.

Makronisi, meaning Long Island, has been converted into a novel "concentration camp" where thousands of Communist sympathizers and former guerrilla fighters are being transformed into loyal, democratic citizens (pages 738, 739).

When the Greek Army found Communists or "fellow travelers" among its recruits, the high command decided to isolate them. About two years ago this camp was founded to receive them. Hundreds of captured or surrendered guerrilla fighters were added.

At the time Col. George Bairaktaris conceived the idea of Makronisi, his own brother was a Communist. Knowing his brother's basic loyalty, the colonel sought some way to let him, and thousands like him, prove it.

Of the 21,800 men who have been exposed to its course in regeneration, only 800 have been adjudged incorrigible. There is no harsh or "silent" treatment for those who refuse to swear allegiance to their homeland. There is a general feeling that time is on the side of the right.

At the time of my visit, some 7,800 "Pioneers" had returned to the ranks, to fight or die for Greece. Many helped free the Peloponnesus from Communist bands. Thousands now fight in the north. Others, unable to qualify for the Army, have returned to peaceful civilian pursuits.

Long Island is marked with patriotic slogans in whitewashed rocks, visible from miles away. "Hail to King Paul," shouts one steep hillside. "Hail to Hellas," echoes another.

With Col. James H. Phillips, Chief of Staff with the Joint U. S. Military Advisory and Planning Group; Dowsley Clark, Director of Information of the Economic Cooperation Administration; and Mrs. Clark, I went to the island to see this Greek experiment in regeneration.

As we reached the mess hall, decorated with Greek, British, and American flags, hundreds of Pioneers flocked up the hill. Here on this barren isle they seemed to be living an abundant life with spirit, vigor, and enthusiasm.

When Queen Frederika visited Makronisi, these men lifted her to their shoulders and paraded her through the camp. Some conservatives humped their eyebrows when the picture was published, but the multitude have taken the petite, hard-working queen to their hearts (page 712).

Colonel Bairaktaris's first step at the camp was to create an atmosphere of civilized behavior, within which neither officer nor comrade could reproach a Pioneer for his past…”