GREEKS' TRIALS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 120, 23 May 1942, Page 7

GREEKS' TRIALS

Citizens Harried By Axis

Troops

GREAT NEED FOR FOOD

British Official Wireless

Rec. 1 p.m

RUGBY, May 22

Squads of carbineers, are searching the homes of well-known citizens and politicians in Athens, presumably seeking evidence of contacts with the Allies. The fortunes of all Greek army officers who have left the country have been confiscated and their families exiled to remote parts of Greece. Italians threaten to send to concentration camps army officers, in violation of the terms of capitulation, for fear that they will join the Allies. Civilian conscription is under consideration because of the reluctance of the Greeks to go to Germany in spite of alluring conditions offered.

The Germans are removing metals, especially copper, from Greece. The food situation is slightly improved after the arrival of relief, sent by the Allies, but the principal commodities are still scarce and are sold in "black markets" at fantastic prices. Guerilla warfare has also recently flared up. Neutral diplomats from Athens say that the Red Cross must double the amount of food supplies being sent to Greece to enable the country to avoid virtual annihilation during the coming autumn and winter, says The Times correspondent at Lisbon. One egg at present costs 10/ and a loaf of bread 6/ from the "black market." The diplomats also confirm that not more than one parcel in 10 sent privately is delivered, and this means Red Cross ships are the only remaining method of relieving suffering. Because the Greek police are not allowed to go on patrol, there has been a wave of night robberies, which has increased the population's difficulties. The German authorities have attributed the robberies to gangs of undisciplined Greeks wearing Italian uniforms.