GERMANY'S "REASONS."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3557, 18 September 1916, Page 5

GERMANY'S "REASONS."

TO AVOID ENTENTE PRESSURE

AMSTERDAM, .September. 15. Tlic German Govcrnmont announces, 1 regarding the surrender of the 4th Greek Army „Corps, - that when the Germans and Bulgarians advanced in Eastern Macedonia, the Fourth Greek Army Corps was stationed at Seros, Drama; and Kavalla. Tho Entente aimed to compel the Greeks to join tho Entente: or else suffer the fate of the 11th Division, at Salonicn.

"Communication with Athens v-:is under; Entente'; control, and' th<r general commanding at Kavalla, faithful to tho wishes of his commnnder-in-ehief and lawful. Government, whose desire was to maintain neutrality, was obliged to act independently because his tro r p^ were menaced by hunger and disoa ,o. Accordingly the commander on Tuomlhv requested the Gorman comrrinndor-in-ehief to protect the gallant troops who were faithful to their Kint, and Governtnent from the Entente';* r.rpssure, and to provide them with shelter and .nursing.- This request was granted. In order to obviate a violation of neutrality, it was agreed to convoy the Greeks, fully armed and equipped. a<* neutrals to resorts in Germany, where they'will enjoy Germany's ■" hospitality until the Entente evacuates Greece. The ■" Handelsblad'*' treat?, the German reasons for removing the ...Greek troops with unveiled scepticism, and says ■" it is unlikely that the troops had much affection for the.Bulgarians," and suggests that they are..to be interned in Germany -because.they constituted a danger- to tho Bulgarians. The "Telegraaf" adopts a.•similar view. .