334 Greece. 



were to be employed for the making of working 

 plans. 



Yet in 1896, the then Director of the Forest De- 

 partment, a lawyer, still complains of the absence of 

 a proper organization and of any personnel with fores- 

 try knowledge. Apparently no progress had been 

 made. In that year, however, the gendarmerie was 

 to be replaced by forest guards (52 superior and 298 

 subaltern) who were to be appointed from graduates 

 of a special secondary school, which had been institu- 

 ted at Vytina some two years before. This replace- 

 ment could, of course, not be effected at once, since 

 hardly more than 25 men could be graduated annually; 

 hence even this improvement in the lower class police 

 would not be completeld for six or eight years. No 

 steps had been taken to educate officers for the higher 

 grades, and in this direction, propositions merely were 

 discussed. 



In 1899, a change in the permit system was made, 

 but hardly for the better, justices of the peace being 

 empowered, under certain conditions, to issue such 

 permits, Nor do we find in 1901 anything more than 

 expressions of good wishes, and desire for further 

 legislation, besides some attempts at popular educa- 

 tion through the formation of tree-planting associ- 

 ations under the patronage of the Crown Princess. 

 In 1905 no change in conditions are reported. Forest 

 fires still continue as a common occurrence. 



While the government makes efforts to improve 

 conditions, the indifference, stupidity, cupidity, and 

 malevolence of the people, and the long established 

 abuses prevent rapid progress at reform. 



