GREEK REBELS' PROGRESS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 15

GREEK REBELS' PROGRESS

GOVERNMENT ALARMED threat to bombard ATHENS RETURN OF MONARCHY SUGGESTED I vUMTBD rKESS ASSOCIATION" —BT ELBCTMC TELEGRAPH—COPTRIG HT.) (Received March 8, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 8. A special correspondent of the "Daily Express" telegraphs from the Jugoslav frontier after staying in Athens: "Athens is threatened withbombardment. The monarchy may be restored. The ships of the rebel fleet have become pirates, for they captured two Greek cargo vessels to obtain supplies. "M. Demestichas, for the rebels, has issued an ultimatum that unless M. Tsaldaris (Prime Minister) resigns and hands over power to the Venizelists the fleet will bombard Athens. The threat has thrown the Government and the population of the capital into a panic and the situation is so bad that the Government is discussing the restoration of the monarchy as a means of quietening Greece. "The difficulty is to decide who can be asked to be king. Former King George is now in India as a guest of the Viceroy, and Prince Nicholas, the father of Princess Marina, is elderly and not in the best of health. "I found Athens quivering with fear, and business at a standstill." I ! POSITION AT CRETE I DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENT STATE (Received March 8, 5.5 p.m.) ALEXANDRIA, March 7. That two Greek seaplanes were brought down in flames by the cruiser Giorgios Averoff while they were attacking the rebel fleet in Suda Bay is the first definite news brought from Crete since the rebellion started. This news was conveyed by the captain of the Imperia, which is the Imperial Airways' yacht stationed at Crete. Interviewed, he said that the entire population of Crete was certain of victory and ready to give the utmost support to M. Venizelos, who, when he heard that the rebel ships were proceeding to Crete, placed himself at the head of the rebellion, lie broadcast an appeal to his adherents to allow the royalists to depart unmolested. The only bloodshed at Crete so far has been the death of two sailors on the Giorgios Avernolf, who were killed by an aeroplane bomb. If the rebels are defeated on the mainland M. Venizelos intends to declare Crete independent, and to appeal to the League of Nations. LOOTING BY REBELS RESTORATION RUMOURS DENIED (Received March 9. 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, March 8. In spite of snow more than a foot deep, Greek government troops have slightly advanced against the rebels in eastern Macedonia, where j hey are anxiously awaiting reini forcements from Crete. The rebels have begun looting several villages, and also have greatly damaged tobacco crops. The rebel fleet has seized the islands of Mvtilene, Samos. and Chios. The Government denies allegations that it intends U, return to the monarchy, and adds that republicanism is only endangered by the partisans of M. Venizelos. NO REFUGE IN EGYPT REBELS WILL BE DISARMED IF THEY ENTER PORT ALEXANDRIA, March 7. In the event of the rebel warships taking refuge here, the Government has ordered that the crews shall be disarmed and the breechlocks, guns, and ammunition confiscated. The police are taking precautions against a demonstration by the iarge number of Venizelists in Alexandria. MOVEMENTS OF SHIPS SAf.ONIUA SHELLED BY DESTROYER ATHENS, March 7. Suddenly disappearing from Crete after aerial bombing by Government aeroplanes, the rebel warships are now carrying on guerrilla attacks around the coast. In addition to the Giorgios AverofT's shelling of Mitylene, one rebel destroyer shelled Salonica, where the harbour is thickly mined, before disappearing in the mist. The loyal ships sailed under sealed orders. It is expected that they will give battle to the rebels. Shipping has been warned that instructions given from patrolling aeroplanes must be carried out. All ships approaching Pjrseus will otherwise be fired on without formality. A message from Milan states that General Nicholas Plastiras has arrived at Bnndisi.