GREECE IN THE-MELTING POT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2867, 4 September 1916, Page 7

GREECE IN THE-MELTING POT

"V;' A REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT ,(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Cable: Association. . . •London, September 1. it-is reported froni : Salonika'that King Constantino has-abdicated. He ' will hand ovor 'the Regency to Prince George. M. Zaimis remains Premier, with" the support ofl\i. Venizelos. Greece is siding with the Allies. RUMOURS TO BE TAKEN WITH RESERVE. Salonika, September I.' The rumour relating to King Constaritine's abdication took shape in a special edition of the paper "Angyra," announcing that the King had abdicated, and had handed the Regency,to Prince George. It stated that M. Venizelos's position would not,be official, but rather that of "the power behind the throne;" These announcements must, still be received with reserve. The. newspaper also adds that Greece will range herself oil the side of the Allies. ' Tjio people interpret this as.meaning that the Greek Army will join tfye Allies' army-of the Orient. The' Greek Army will probably need considerable. revictualiing and equipment before it is capable of taking the field. ABDICATION OFFICIALLY DENIED ?- WHOLE COUNTRY IN A, FERMENT. • ■ ("Tne Times.") • . (Rec. September 2, 5.5 p.m.) . 1 ; • London, September 1. Tlio Greek Legation disbelieves xhj rumour that King Constantino has abdicated. . The British Foreign Office bus received no official confirmation nf the report. • Austr»lian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) ". • ■ T , , London, September 2. ■ llie Greek Minister in London denies the report of King Constantine's , abdication. ' ' 1 ; . , Telegrams from Athens, dated Friday, state that the King's temperature had risen, and he .is confined to bed. The latest cVtailed descriptions ifi? 1 ! At'iiens, dated Thursday, before tile arrival tf> the Allied warships at the Peraeus, Overshadowed the new Salonika insurrection. The situation is one of extraordinary chaos —the Kiivj in a sick room, members of Parliament dispersed, elections postponed—yet, despite the Rumanian triumphs, and the happenings at Salonika, M. Zaimis (the Premier) is still of opinion,that a policy of benevolent neutrality will be sufficient to meet the crisis. It is understood thai- the Venizelists now refuse to join the Zaimis Ministry and share the responsibility for the present policy. The people, lacking proper leadership, are in a state of muddled despair, while the Liberal newspapers are wildly exhorting the King and tho Government to follow Rumania's example before it is too late, owing to Bulgaria throwing up the sponge. Tho Greek newspaper "Patris" states: "Italy is becoming a great Mediterranean Power; Rumania is becoming an Empire, but Greece is being led to a living tomb. Hellenic race, awaken! Impose your will! To-morrow it may be too late," ' ' Army in Confusion. The general confusion is reflected in the Army', which has just been demobilised, while .the personnel of the higher command is in the melting-pot. As General Dousmanis attempted to staff, the army with pro-Germans, some were the. rest form a discordant element. Other officers are in favour of deserting with their regiments and joining the Allies, but do not desire to act while. there is a chance to declare war on the Bulgarian invaders. The retired General, Lepathiotis, leader of the 1909 revolution, has appealed for volunteers for. "an army of salvation to drive out tho Bulgars." SEVERAL GREEK CITIES IN REBELLION. New York, September 1. A message from Salonika states that several Greek eities have rebelled. Threo regiments mutinied, and the revolutionists are besieging the Salonika garrison. - ' A REVOLUTIONARY SYMPTOM ' GREEK "COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY." * Salonika, September 1. A Committee of. National Dofcno» has been formed at Salonika. It has considerable possibilities, although at present these possibilities arc vague. The leaders are a colonel of artillery a colonelof cavalry and a Venizclist Deputy. They have'distributed long proclamations addressed to the Greek people and the army, pointing out the present state of affairs has lasted long enough. The surrender of the Greek forts to the Bulgiirs was a grievous misdeed on tlie part of the King and the Government. The proclamations add that the time has come for Greece to place herself on tho side of the Entente. The Entente, has always been Greece's friends. Tho proclamations are frankly revolutionary,: and urge the Greek soldiers not to pay any attention to orders from Athens, Hut' to ally themselves with the Entente, arid assist in driving tlio-Bulgars off Greek soil.

THE REVOLT AT SALONIKA

GREEK OFFICERS SURRENDER TO GENERAL SARRAIL. (Rec. September 2, 5.5 p.m.) , _ • , Salonika, September 1. j A portion of Macedonia is in a state of revolution. General Sarrail this morning arrived on the parade ground, and fifty officers commanding the Greek Koyalist Forces came out without their swords to meet him, and announced that they, were prepared to surrender to the Allies, but not to their Greek adversaries. General Sarrail replied that a state of warfare in a town which was the. Allies' base headquarters, could not be permitted to continue. He laid down certain conditions, which the Greek officers accepted, namely, tjiat they should remain his until it had been decided what further should be done. The officers were then confined to a building on the parado ground. Their men paraded without arms. Their colonel inspected and shook hands with every man, and in a speech of iarewell urged them to maintain strict discipline and implicitly obey the French. They were then marched to the French camp at Zlctenlick, under French officers, where they will remain until.a further decision has-been arrived at. General Sarrail now explains that the action of the French with regard to the Greek troops was governed by the fact that martial law had been proclaimed at Salonika.' "I intend to see that order is preserved," he said. "Last night shots were exchanged, resulting in killed and wounded, and therefore the French troops were ordered to intervene and restore order." THE ATTACK ON THE SALONIKA BARRACKS (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) .... London, September 2. Jlr. .Ward Price, in a dispatch from Salonika, dated Thursday—the message was delayed—states: "Wednesday's revolution lmd a of blood during the night, the Macedonian troop, which joined the Committee of National Defence, defying the authorities at Athens, suddenly attacked the barracks at Salonika, the garrison of which'had refused to join the separatists. There was a brisk rifle firo for five minute.* across the parade ground, then the attackers practically ceased firo until daybreak, when a strong force of French troops, with guns, hurried to the barracks. Meanwhile the Macedonians wore lying on the pavement on one side of the parade ground, and the garrison were behind tlie wall of a fruit garden opposite. A section of the garrison once endeavoured to come out and secure supplies, but were driven back with the loss of ,a few men. A body of civilian volunteers reinforced the Macedonians during the night', but they were not strong enough to seize the barracks. When a forcc of a thousand French troops assembled, M. Zimbreakakis and other leaders of the Committee of National Defence, allowed General Sarrail to have control of the situation. COMMITTEE AT WORK. . . • Roms, September 1. The Pro-Entente Committee of National Defence organised a revolution in Salonika, and in other town's. The Greek troops, after some blood had been shed, eorfsented to' be disarmed as the result of General Sarrail's intervention. The Committee is now supreme in Macedonia. , (Rce. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) t ... ; _ Paris, September 2. A wireless.message states that; the National Committee of Defence at SaI lonika has interned Colonel. Tricoupis,. the organiser .$? the resistance against i'ie Nationalist movement. . REVOLUTION SPREADING: MARTIAL LAW PROCLAIMED (Rec. September 3,.5.5 p.m.) . ' •, Rome, September-2. A wireless message ■states: "The Greek revolution is. spreading in Thes-saly-and Epirus. Martial law has,been declared at Athens and Piraeus. It is reported that "the King's-condition is worse.'-' '"HERO OF SERES CAPTURED BY THE BULGARS. (United Service.) . . (Rec. September 2,'7.40-p.m.) ' ■m. i> i • • l ' i • i Salonika,' September 1. The Bulgarian? have. captured Colonel Christodoulis, and three thousand men; . , . , ' TCliristodoulis was the Commander at Seres, the garrison of which valiantly resisted tho.Bulgar invasion.]'

ZAIMIS AND THE VENIZELISTS Australian-New-Zealand Cable. Association. ■ (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) . , 7 ■ Athens, September-2. A deputation .from M.- Vemzelos' .meeting waited.upon M.' Zaimis (the Greek Premier), and'presented a copy of the resolution, and also protested against Kid £ Constantine's refusal to receive a, deputation. Zaimis the deputation to defer further action,' assuring them that the question which was agitating them would soon be cleared up. THE LATEST SENSATION FRANCO-BRITISH ■ WARSHIPS ENTER THE PIRAEUS WIRELESS STATION SEIZED (Rec. September 3, 11.15 p.m.); . . i ■ London, September' 2. A squadron of twenty-three Allied warships arrived at the Piraeus (the port of Athens) at noon on Friday, - accompanied bv transports from Salonika. The Allied squadron includes,cruisers and smaller vessels, and is accompanied :bv hydroplanes, the whole under- the command of t.lie French Admiral. Hie squadron will continue to cruise before the Piraeus. No vessel has yet entered the harbour. The English newspapers interpret the presence of the Allied warships in the Piraeus as. an indication that the Allies are weary of. the tergiversations of Athenian politicians, and are resolved to baffle tlie German intriguers. ' , ~ , , Athens. September' 2. Two of the Allied warships entered the navy yard at the ]}fraous, aiid landing parties seized the wireless station"arid foiir-Germmi-Lovant liners It is reported that the Allies have demanded the delivery of sixty German suspects. . ' According to the newspaper "Hestia," Greek naval officers and men have been recalled from leave. THE ADVENT OF ESSAD PASIIA ■n "j -n i i • t, • , , Paris, September 1. ~ Essad Pasha, w-hen in. Pans before his departure for Salonika, declared that'Albama wns.in a state of open revolution-owing to hunger. The Albanians had no wish for government in the Prussian :fashion. There were already 2(1000 insurgents. "When peace'com es." he said, "the Enterito will decide Albania s destinies. The violence of A ustro-Hungarian oppression has caused my exile, which will not last long. _ I am rejoining• the Allies at Salonika, in the firm hope of spending the winter in Albanian territory." ALBANIANS DEAL WITH AUSTRIAN GARRISONS. (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) .... . , , .. , . - . r.. Rome, September 2. ■-,j Albanian insurgents have either annihilated or captured several Austrian garrisons.

THE BULGARIAN DECLARATION OF WAR

A.SITUATION TO BE DETERMINED New York, September 1. Bulgaria has declared war on Rumania. mi t, ' i i Paris, September 1. Ihe French Press urges united action by the Allies against Sofia, which would rapidly dispose of tho Bulgarian situation. (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) v Berlin, September 2. Bulgaria has declared war on Rumania. The war manifesto has been posted up in the streets .of Sofia. BULGARIA'S REASONS 1 AN ALLEGED TERRITORIAL STEAL. (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) _ Amsterdam, September 2. I.jio Bulgarian Note which' .accompanied tho declaration of war on Rumania_ asserts that Rumania provoked numerous frontier incidents, and alludes in bitter terms to Rumania's intervention in the Balkan War, when Rumania, profiting b,v the bloody ordeal through which the Bulgarian people were, passing, robbed them while they were struggling for existenco of a portion of territory, and showed hatred which nothing could justify. The Note also refers to Rumania's closing of the frontier against goods and travellers. AN UNPOPULAR DECLARATION (Rcc. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) Rome, September 2. There wore violent manifestations' against King Ferdinand and M. Radoslavoff (the Bulgarian Premier); at Sofia, following tho declaration of war on Rumania. . ' • "TSAR" FERDINAND QUARRELS WITH HIS SON (R«c. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) Rome; September 2. The "Messagero" states .that there has been a. violent quarrel between King Ferdinand and the Bulgarian Crown Prince Boris, on account of the latter's Russophile tendencies. The King ordered Prince Boris to tako his place in tho army. Prince Boris refused, and is now in hiding at Sofia.

DEATH OF BULGAR CHIEF OF STAFF (Rec. September 2, 7.30 p.m.) Sofia, September 1. Genera] Jostoff, Chief of the Bulgarian General Staff, is dead. .(Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) . Athens, September 2. It is reported that General JostoSE committed suicide, not wishing to lead the army into what he considered to be certain defeat. His suicide delayed the issue of the Bulgarian declaration of war on Rumania. • • GERMAN PRESS UNEASY. (Rcc. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) The Hague, September 2. The German newspapers evince great uneasiuess regarding Bulgaria. They admit that- her, frontiers are difficult to defend. Should Greece join the Entente Powers, Bulgaria might possibly be compelled to sue for peace,-which would be a calamity for the Central Powers. HOW, GREEK TREACHERY HELPED THE BULGARIANS." ("Tha Times.") London, September 1. The "Times" correspondent at Salonika states that the Bulgarians, without firing a shot, secured possession of seventeen, forts containing huge quantities of provisions and hundreds of guns. ' ■'

THE WAR IN TRANSYLVANIA

RUSSIANS FORCING THE PRESSURE Australian-New Zealand Cable Awociation. Petrograd, September 1. Official—"Serbian troops who had been interned in Rumania are cooperating with 'the Russians. ' THE RUSSIAN COMMANDER IN RUMANIA. ■ Rome, September 1. General Dimitrieff is in command of the Russians invading Bulgaria. AUSTRIAN RETREAT IN TRANSYLVANIA ' , Paris, September 1. It is reported that the Austrians hare evacuated nearly a quarter of Transylvania. The Rumanians, to the northward have reached Gjergjo, which is the terminus of. all the railways in the district, and the Rumanians am cutting the lines. . ■ • AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES. (Rec.. September. 2, 7.30 p.m.) ' London, Sept-ember 1. 'An Austrian official communique states: "The enemy was again repulsed on Thursday, near Orsova and the vicinity of Hercules Baths. We evacuated Nagyszeben (the Hungarian name for Hermannstadt), and Sersisztgyofrgy, in accordance with our tactics in the general situation." • (Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) '' London, September 2. An Austrian communique states: "After five days' fierce battles near Or-/ sova, we withdrew to,the western bank of the Cti'ern'a. New engagements have developed in the Gyergyo Mounins. ■=—\ , . ' "Our Danubian flotilla sank a' Rumanian patrol boat." '' ' ! GERMAN PRESS. OPINION. .. . . Now York, September 1. The "Berlin Tageblatt" states that, the plan of Austrian Headquarters jrovided for a systematic withdrawal of the army in Transylvania, which'is taking place in perfect- order, in spite of the proximity of the Rumanians. In the Eastern-Carpathians the Austria-ns have linked up with the Teuton army in Bukowina by falling back from the crests and passes in Gyergyo Range. Commenting on the withdrawal from Kronstadt Valley,- 'the ''Tageblatt" says:. "The loss of the city is painfully felt in Hungary, but the loss is not final." BIG AUSTRO-GERMAN EFFORT EXPECTED (Rec. September 3,'5.5 p.m.) , Paris,' September 2. It is believed t&at the Germans and Austrians aro preparing to brine their full weight in an effort against the 1 southern 'Rumanian frontier, wjnther a heavy movement of troops has been in progress,- Von Hindenburg's first effort-'will be on the Danube. He may meanwhile remain content to hold the ,-Western front, and if necessary, withdraw upon a shorter line.

(Rec. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) mi . • Amsterdam, September. 2. (: < The Frankfurter Zeitung ' reports that- fifty thousand'. Germans have arrived at lvlausenburg. The Austrian s have, evacuated Marossksarhely. .. BALKAN TRUNK RAILWAY CLOSED TO CIVILIANS. (Eeuter'a Telezram.)' ', (Rec. September 2, 5.5 p.m.) ; . ■ London," September 1. Germany is not allowing civilians to use the Balkan railway, unless on most urgent business. She has stopped tho export of iron. LIGHTNING STROKE AND RAPID DEVELOPMENT y AustraliautNew Zealand Gable Association'. ... ' . _ , . ■ Rome, September 1. A wireless report from Bucharest states that the Rumanian Ariny, on the 1 ' evening of the declaration of war, wa 8 ready to :take up its positions, and crossed the crests of the Carpathians f rom Bukowina to the Danube with a, singlo bound, attacking along the whole frontier. The principal operations are 111 Wallaclna (Western Rumania), from . which three important attacks were made in the valleys of tho Jic, Oltu, and Prahova. They were momentarily held in check at .Orsova, on the extreme left of . the front, but during the past two days have crossed the entire Or.Bova zone, and are following the line of the Danube. The attack on the Moldavian side has been approoiably extended in the directions of Gyime, Spalanka, and Oituz. On the extreme north of this line the Rumanians, on the first llay, made a'junction withGeneral Letchitsky's Russian troops. This general attack enabled an "advance to be made on Wednesday for twenty-five miles along almost the entire front. The greatest advance is in the direct-ion of Hermannstadt. The. rapidity of the advance broke down the numerous successive lines of defence, enabling the Rumanians to capture the enemy's, ammunition depots. The Hun-' garians, since the war began, have powerfully fortified this elevated zone. The advance continues. FRUITS OF RUSSO-RUMANIAN CO-OPERATION. . . London, September 1. The Austrians are preparing to evacuate Bistritz before the advancing Russinns and Rumanians. • [Bistritz, or Besztercze, is a_ town in Northern Transylvania, about thirty miles from tho Rumanian frontier, and about 100 miles'south-west of Czernowitz.] (Rec. September .3, 5.5 p.m.) ' ,i London, September 2. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states:. "The Russians continuo to pour into Rumania." DISPOSITION OF THE .RUMANIAN ARMIES.. (Rec. September '2, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, September 1. Two Rumanian armies are'oporntini in Transylvania. The first, called the Moldavian Army, under General Cottescu. has crossed the Palanka Pass. It constitutes the right wing, and has already functioned with the Russians. .The second, or Wnllachian Army, under General Coanda (a military specialist), undertook a lightning offensive against the Austrians, and crossed the Predcal Redtowcr Passes, aiming at Bras so and Hermannstadt. A third army, under General Averescu, aims at the Banat'Pass, and is', expected to march via the Verciorovo and Jioul valley. Meanwhile, _ the southern frontier is guarded in anticipation of the Bulgarian declaration of war. HUNGARIAN CALL TO ARMS. Rome, September 1. A wireless report states that Hungary is arming all citizens, irrespective of their ,age. A hundrced thousand fugitives from_ Transylvania are invading Hungary, where general alarm is felt at tho rapidity of th« Rumanian advance and"the. weakness of Hungary's defences. Already all the principal; Transylvanian towns near the alpine passes have been lost. REPORTED FALL OF RUSTCHUK Amsterdam, September ]. It is reported in Berlin that the Rumanians have occupied Rustehuk. fßustchuk is an important town on the Bulgarian bank of the Danube, due south of Bucharest, and at a point where the river is crossed by the Bucharest-Varna railway.] RUMANIAN KING'S MESSAGE TO THE ARMY. (Boater's Telegram.) Buoharest, September 1. The King, in a message to his soldiers, says:—"Our brothers impatiently await you beyond the frontier. Our hearts are full nf hope. You will have a desperate struggle, but with God's help victory will bo ours." THE CAUTIOUS M. BRATIANO. (Rcc. September 3, S.ii p.m.) Australian-New Zealand Gable Association. London, September 2. The "Daily Telegraph's*' Athens correspondent says:—"A year ago M Bratiano (tho Rumania Premier) said. "When you hear that Rumania will enter the war, if I am Premier, you may be sure that I hare made myself secure of victory ten times over before I plunge .the country into a struggle. Tho duration of the war after that will not exceed six .months. - I am of amnion that the Balkan nations capuofc sustain wars of longer duration."

SALE OP ALCOnOL PROHIBITED. ■ (Renter's Telcßram.) . • ] - Bucharest, September 1. : The sale of alcohol in Rumania has been prohibited under heavy pep» alties. , j

SPIRITED ADVANCE OF THE SERBIANS

BULBARS IN PRECIPITATE RETREAT ] i ' I Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. September 3, §.5 p.m.J . > . 'London!'Sepfehher 2. > 'the ."Daily Chronicle's" correspon dent, .at; Athens. £eports_:—''The . Bol« j. garxius are falling back rapfdly towards. Monastir and the plains of.Fiorina, i while the Serbs are pressing on. Despite a sharp counter-attack "by a Bui- ; gar column upon the slopes of Gorniclievo, which had been detailed to cover { the Bulgar rotreat, failed, with heavy losses.to the Bulgars, the Serbs,capturing three Krupp guns. The retreat towards Monastir is so hurried that it ■ j may soon be turned into a rout. The 'Bulgars are already unable- to re* j move their wounded." •- ' I SERBIAN- CAVALRY AT SOROHTCH-. ' j (Reo. September 3, 5.5 p.m.) . * j . • . . Athens, September 2. _ ! Th» Bulgarians withdrew from Sorovitah towards, the passes of KirWfc deven and Banitza. The Serbian cavalry has reached Sorovitch. The Bui- ■! garians continue to retreat all along Fiorina an 3 the Monastir Valley. j i BULGARIAN NIGHT ATTACK REPULSED. ' j (Rec. September 3, 5.0 p.m.) i 1 Salonika, September 2. 'An official conuauuique states: —''The Serbians easily"repulsed.a Bui- .• j garian night attack, on the Vetrcnik sector.". i ' '' \'■ • - j NO CHANGE ON THE ANGLO-FRENCH FRONT " London, September 1.. " j British communiques from Salonika show that there is.no change on our \ Struma and Doiran fronts. ' i i (Rec. September 3- 5.5 p.m.) 'i - Salonika, September 2. j A British communique states: —"Oor artillery set fire to the Pardoriev j station, north of Ghevgheli." \ —:—,— •■-■■■ - j ' ITALIAN THRUST IN ALBANIA j I r (Rec. September 2, : 7.30, .p.m.) ' 1 ' . ' i ' _ i _ Rome, September 2. ! An Italian official communique states: "We have occupied Tepeleni, oa | the Vojussa. The Albanian-Greek garrison withdrew westward to the village! j of Klog and Hekal, near Carbonara. W« took prisoner some Austriane." ;