THE BALKANS. SURRENDER OF KAVALLA.

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

THE BALKANS.

SURRENDER OF KAVALLA.

STORIES OF .REFUGEES.

(Received September 18, 8.55 a.m.) ATHENS, September 17.

Advices from Vola state that after the Bulgarian summons, Colonel Hadjopoulo informed the officers of the Kavalla garrison of the Bulgarian conditions of surrender, adding: "The army must surrender to the Bulgarians or the Anglo-French." After a violent discussion, it was decided to surrender to the Anglo-' French-. Colonel 'Hadjopoulo asked later whether the army would be kept prisoners until the end of hostilities, and the Allies replied that they were unable to accept the army's surrender, inasmuch as Greece was not a belligerent enemy. .'•..., Colonel Christodoulos, in tho meantime; declared that he was joining the revolutionaries at Saloniea, and applied for steamers, but Colonel Hadjopoulo decided to surrender the whole army. The Bulgarians endeavoured to prevent the nien ; joining .Colonel Christodoulos. War material and rifles were, pillaged and scattered in the streets, and the breeches of the remaining guns were thrown into tho sea; military motor care were also destroyed. The foregoing information proves that Colonel Hadjopoulo's men had an opportunity of rejoining Greece. ... , Four thousand refugees from Kavalla have arrived at Volo from Thasos. The population arc enraged at the stories of suffering and of lamentable scenes in which parents were seeking their children aud weeping children seeking their parents. Many were separated in the hurried flight. Two Greek companies at Kavalla, with fixed bayonets, prevented a large number of the 18th Regiment of Colonel ChristodouloB 1 division going to Thasos, and compelled them to accompany Colonel Hadjopoulo to Drama. According to the stories of refugees, 70 officers and 800 soldiers proceeded to Drama with Colonel Hadjopoulo, while 80 officers and 2000 men accompanied Colonel Christodoulos to Thasos. Artillery troops of tho 4th Corps, with 20 guns, followed Colonel Christodoulos. When Kavalla surrendered, the Bulgarian commander at the head of the cavarymen declared that he occupied the town in the Tsar Ferdinand's name.