BETWEEN THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2623, 19 November 1915, Page 5

BETWEEN THE HAMMER AND THE ANVIL

("Times" and Sydnecy "Sun" Services.)

GREEKS' UNENVIABLE POSITION.

London, November 17. A' correspondent at Athens says that the Russian Minister states that the Entente Powers do not intend to draw Greece into the vrar by deliberately entering Greek territory, but he is certain that if this should happen Greek policy would not opposo the interests of the Entente. Greece is in the unenviable position of being between the hammer and the anvil. So long as the interests of the Entente are not prejudiced there is no roason to believe the Entente contemplate proceedings against Greece.

GREEK PREMIER AND THE PUBLIC

GREAT PRO-ALLIES' DEMONSTRATION,

(Rec. November 18, 9.30 p.m.)

Athens, November 17. M. Skouloudis was accorded a reception by the municipality. Among the first to welcome him was M Denys-Cochin (a member of the French Cabinet who is on a mission to Grecce), who recoived a great ovation. There was a popular demonstration outside tho French Legation, the Marseillaise being sung with great enthusiasm. The public filled the station hours before B. Denys-Cochin arrived. The crowd included veterans of the Legion of Greek Volunteers who were recently fighting in France., carrying a laurel wreath bound with the French and Greek colours. A hurricane of cheers broke forth as the train steamed in, and tlie orowds patrolled the streets till midnight, shouting "Vive la France! Vive Cochin!"

Judging from tlio tone of the Government newspapers, which hint at the possibility of Greece emerging from neutrality under certain conditions, the ground is being prepared for a less uncompromising attitude. The fear pf Great Britain's prohibition of export of English goods to Grcece is causing uneasiness ill the commercial world. King Constantino has expressed a wish to Bee Lord Kitchener and discuss the situation from a military standpoint. GREEK VESSELS DETAINED IN ENGLAND. London, November 17. The "Daily Mail's" Parij correspondent Bays that England's energy in detaining ninety Greek vessels at Liverpool and Newcastle is hailed with satisfaction by the French Press. The Greek Legation announces that Britain will allow Greek _ n erchantmen to proceed to their destination, but will not permit further loading. IS THE END OF RUMANIAN NEUTRALITY IN SIGHT i Buoharest, November 17. A roj'al decree authorises the requisitioning of all materials .essential for national defence. This is interpreted k> mean that Rumanian neutrality cannot be much longer maintained. PRESS OPINION ON THE SITUATION (Rec. November 18, 5.5 p.m.)

London, November 17

The newspapers indicate that there is a crisis in the Greek situation. The intense interest attaching to the probability of Lord Kitchener's visit to King Constantino is increased by the enthusiastic reception which was accorded to M. Denys-Cochin (the French Envoy). Tho Salonika correspondent of the Paris "Journal" says: "The position of the Balkan expedition is critical. Tho enemies have decided to nip the Entente Power's offensive in the bud. The German submarines hEve been quintupled, and when the Austro-Gennans and Turks reach the Greek frontier Greece will 110 longer hesitate. She will decline to continue the attitude of neutrality which she has hitherto accorded tho Entente. Let no appearances deceive us. Tho situation requires deeds, not words." Dr. Dillon, writing to the "Daily Telegraph," says; "The Balkan Peninsula will remain the .centre of political interest until the danger of further treachery on the part of t'f.ose neutral States has been definitely dispelled. I write from a first-hand knowledge of the facts, not all of which are yet realised. It is not yet apprehended that a league of monarchs was pre-arranged by the Kaiser, and completed in principle before war broke out. But the original conception was more comprehensive than tho final achievement. Germany has formed a syndicate of kings, thus forestalling the unsuspecting Entente P0 " "I affirm," hs added, "that tho Entente's policy of chivalious kindness and delicate taci has been wholly misplaced. Hie assurances of benevolent neutrality which have been uttered by M. Skouloudis are less solid than M. Venizelos's promises. M. Skouloudis is not the spokesman for tho Greek Parliament or Greek nation He is the mere nominee of a Prussian Field-Jlarslral, who is systematically doing violence to Greece's Constitution and sacrificing her national honour'in order to redeem his promise to his Prussian brotheMii. law. M. Venizelos to-day is a mqro private individual. If there were any truth or honour left in governing circles in Grecce, M. Venizelos and 'his colleagues would now be in power. But there are none. King Cons.tantme has detei mined at all costs, to creato Gonnanophilt Parliaments hostilo to tho Entente. Even if Grecce and tha people again announco their determination to do their duty, this Prussian Field-Marshal (King Constantino), will still execute his bro-ther-in-law's desigas. Efl'ectivo constraint uow is tho only method to be employed with any hope of success."

ITALY'S ACTIVE INTERVENTION DISCUSSED

STRONG OUTBURST OF ANTI-GERMAN SENTIMENT,

("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)

(Rec. November 18, 5.5 p.m.)

London, November 17. The "Times" correspondent at Rome states that important decisions have been taken to extend Italy's military action. The Press is now permitted to demand a deals-ration of war against Germany and Italian assistance in the Hallcms The sinking of the Ancona and the air bombardment of Verona havo completely changed popular feeling. Gold to the value of 4,000,000 lire on Treasury consignment ivas on board the Ancona. ... ■ M Denys-Cochin, the French Minister, has had a lengthy interview with the Greek Minister at Rome, and also with Signor Salandra (the Italian Premier) and Baron Sonnino (the Italian Foreign Minister). It is believed tliat at an important council of tho Ministers it was decided to send an Italian expedition to the Balkans. n , The Paris "Journal publishes an authoritative statement that real) will accept tho task of saving the Allies from the grave consequences of unprecedented treachery which are daily expected in the Ba kans.. . . --The Turin journal "Stampa" says that M. Denys-Cochin is informing Grecce that the Anglo-French fleet at Malta is ready to make Greeco pay l>ll^Secolo" C shiteß that the Piedmonte's' bombardment of Dedeagatch was tho forerunner of earnest Italian participation.