GREEK ARMY CORPS KIDNAPPED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2879, 18 September 1916, Page 5

GREEK ARMY CORPS KIDNAPPED

' "CAMPING" IN GERMANY LATEST SENSATION FROM THE BALKANS Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. A'thens, September 15. Fivo hundred rofugees from Kavala, who have reached Volo, describe horrible proceedings when the Germans demanded the surrender of tho town. German airmen on Saturday bombed Kavala, destroying tho Stambul and T6charchi quarters, killing ten peoplo and injuring ' many. Gorman and Bulgarian officers arrived on Sunday, and demanded tho surrender of Kavala, and also of tho Greek garrison. Soldiers thronged- to tho port, demanding boats. Tho inhabitants wero panic-stricken, and tho overcrowded boats sank, many women and children being drowned. General Christodoulos refused to permit tho Greek garrison to surrender. Many officers and soldiers were drowned, whilo attempting to swim and reach the Allied warships, which arrived at tho height of the crisis. Warders from tho gaol fled, and prisoners and criminals wero liberated. They pillaged tho town, the Turkish population co-opcrating. and sackcd the markets, commercial and private houses, and Government depots. Ordor was only when thousands of citizens had been transported to Thasis. Many Bulgarian troops waited within a fow minutes' distance of, Kavala. Several Bulgarian officers and soldiers ontered the villago of Dormidzik, destroyed' tho houses, raped all young girls, and. took prisoner the men. . AN ELABORATE EXPLANATION BY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SELF-CONSTITUTED PROTECTORS OF THE "FAITHFUL." (Rcc. September 16, 5.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 15. Tho German Government announces, regarding tho surrender of tho Fourth Greek Army Corps, that when tho Germans and Bulgars,advanced in Eastern Macedonia tho Fourth Greek Army Corps was stationed at Seres, Drama, and Kavala. Tho Entente Powers aimed to compel the Greeks to join the Entcoito, or suffer the fate of the Eleventh. Division at Salonika. Coiumunioatiou with Athens was under the Entente's control, and tho General commanding at Kavala, faithful to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief and his lawful Government, which desired to maintain neutrality, was obliged to act independently, because his troops were menaced hy hunger and disease. Accordingly, the oftmmimder, on Tuesday, requested tho German Commander-in-Chief to protect his gallant troops, who were faithful to their King and Government, from the Entente's pressure, mid provide them with shelter and nursing. This request was granted in order to obviate a violation of neutrality, and is was agreed to convey tho Greoks, fully armed and equipped as neutrals, to resorts in Germany, where they could enjoy Germany's hospitality until the Entente Powers evacuated Greece. HOW THE GERMAN MINISTER AT ATHENS EXPLAINS IT. (Rcc. Septonibor 17, 5.5 p.m.) Athens, September 16. The German Minister at Athens, answering tho Greek Government's protest against the invasion of Drama and Kavala, said: "Tho Bulgarians already regard you as their enemy, and aro taking measures accordingly." "MOST CURIOUS EVENT IN HISTORY." (Renter's Telegram.) (Rec. September 16, 7.40 p.m.) Copenhagen, September 16. Tho Fourth Greek Division will not be used in the German military service, but will bo placed in camps in South Germany. Some of the officors and the men wero accompanied by their wives and families. The German newspapers welcome the Greeks and commont on tho event as tho most curious in history. AMAZEMENT IN ITALY 'GREEK TREACHERY UNDISGUISED. 1 Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Req. September 17, 5.5 p.m.) Rome, September 16. The amazing kidnapping of tho Greek Army Corps caused a sensation in Italy. Tho newspapers considor that the event' proves that a section of the Greek Army had considered Germany, against tlio Entente, and would havo attacked the Allies in the rear at the first favourable opportunity. All the_ newspapers demand cnergotic and immediate action, however high the position of tho person responsible. Despite tho mendacities of tho German Wolff Bureau telegrams, it is clear that the Bulgars interrupted tho communications between Athens and the Fourth Army Corps—not tho Allies. Tho Bulgais returned in overwhelming numbers to crush the gallant band under Christodoulos, who would have been overwhelmed and captured unloss tho Allies had sent boats and rescued him, with two hundred officers and twelve hundred men—altogother five thousand men. General Christodoulos and his troops havo reached Thasos. Tho Germans, on reaching Kavala <>n Sunday, demanded,the removal of the Greek Army within twenty-four hours. Later, a Gorman officer informed the Greek contingent that tliey would bo taken to Drama, where they would bo placed at tho disposal of tho Germano-Bulgar staff, Colonel Hadioponlo commanded the Greeks who surrendered. Some reports state that tho Greek troops asked to be interned in Germany, fearing that the Bulgarians would murder them. Tile Bulgars are now installed at the Kavala forts, except two or three which are suscoptiblo to attack hy sea. GERMAN PRESS ELATED \ AN ARMY OF 36,000 FILCHED FROM GREECE. ' (line. September 17, 5.5 p.m.) . *• . Amsterdam, September 16. Tlio "Frankfurter Zeitung" rejoices in the fact that the German manoeuvre at Kavala will deprive the Entente of a considerable portion of the troops that would accrue if the Greeks joined their allinnco. Tho German papers state that the interned _ Greek Army Corps consists of tho Fifth, Sixth, and Sevonth Divisions, with nino batteries of artillery, altogether a total of 36,000 men. UNVEILED SCEPTICISM IN HOLLAND. fllcutcr's Telrsr/inO (Roc. September IG, 5.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 16. The Dutch newspaper "Handelsblad" treats the German reasons with un veiled scepticism. "It is unlikely," it says, "that tho troops had much affection for tho Bulgars," and suggests that tho Greeks wore interned in Germany because t.lioy constituted a danger to the Bulgars; The "Telcgraaf" takes a similar view. BRITISH NAVAL AIRCRAFT ATTACK KAVALA (Roster's TplpffranO (Rec. September 16, 7.40 p.m.) London, September 16. The Admiralty reports: "Between August 25 and 31 naval aircraft bombed the Bulgarian lines of communication beyond Kavala, including the bridge and station at Buk, and tho station at Drama, where a large petrol store and rolling stock and sidings were destroyed. Cejilar station, which was tho headquarters of the Tenth Division, was set on fire. We re-attacked and considerably damaged tho forts at Kavala, with excellent results. A largo body of infantry and transports at Porna wero bombed, much havoc being dono." '

HUGE VALUABLE "PLANT" OP GOODS REMOVED TO BULGARIA. j Anstralian-New' Zealand Cable Association. ' (Roc. September 16, 7.30 p.m.) London, September 16. A wireless mcssago from Salonika states that', tobacco, valued at' ten 1 millions sterling, which hatl been warehoused by the Greek Government in. / magazines at Kavala, for different companies, with grain, flour, oil, and mu- . nitions, were transported to Bulgaria. j INDICTMENT OF TREASON AND A DUEL. i (Rec. September 17, 11.55 p.m.) ; flttions, September 17. M. George Melas, ex-Secretary to King Constantino, jn a letter_ dial- j lenging Herr Strict, the King's adviser, to a duel, declares that the Kavala. catastropho was the natural consequence of treason, due lo the Germanopliile j policy, of which Strict was the first apostle. I GREEK ISLANDS ADHERE TO THE REVOLUTIONARY PARTY ! (Rec. September 16 7.30 p.m.) ' ! London, September 16. j . A wireless message from Salonika states that Greek officers from < Athens have landed at Salonika, and placed themselves at the disposal of tho - ; National Defence Committee. The islands of Creto, Mitylene, Chios, and Sa- : mos havo adhered to tho Revolutionary Party. j OVATION TO THE HERO OF KAVALA. (Rec. September 17, 11.55 p.m.) Salonika, September 17. _ General Christodoulos and 2500 men from Tfiasos received an ovation, in the streets of Salonika. Tho harbour was befiagged. One hundred and seventy officers have joined the National Defence Committee at Salonika. Greek soldiers have been forbidden to leave the Piraeus, but officers joining the revolution are evading the order, the majority departing secretly in. civilian clothes. " I THE CABINET CRISIS IN GREECE M. ZAIMIS DECLINES TO RETURN. (Reo. September 17, 11.5 p.m.)' Athens;- September 17.' M. Zaimis has declined to return to office. M. Calogeropoulo# is forming a Cabinet. » . ... CABINET SWORN IN. 1 (Rec. September 17, 11.55 p.m.) Athens, September 17. _ Tho now Cabinet b'as been sworn in. It is transitional, and non-politi-cal. GERMAN PRESS VIEW OF GRE'EK SITUATION. ' ("Tho Times.") • London, September 10. , Tho "Vossische ZeitiwgV correspondent in Greek Macedonia states that a. meeting of the whole population of Drama on Sunday cheered King Constantino, and condemned M. Venizelos. Officers telegraphed to tlie King promising blind obedience. The correspondent thinks there arc no present indications of King Constantino departing from neutrality. RUSSOPHILE MOVEMENT IN BULGARIA. \ Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. • Berne, September 15. . Bulgars taken prisoner in Macedonia confirm the existence of "ffieTluEsoph ilo movement, which has reached the Bulgarian array. THE ALLIES' OFFENSIVE IN NORTHERN GREECE .SUCCESSES ALL ALONG THE LINE. London, September 15. A French official communique states: "Tlio British violently engaged the Bulgars. supported by Germans. The British captured Matchukovo." The French have taken trenches on a front of 1600 yards, to a depth of 880 yards, on the right bank of the Vardar. Tho Serbians, by a brilliant victory, have taken the greater part of the crest of Malkamdze with the bayonet. The Serbian cavalry are pursuing tho enemy. French and Russian troops aro dispersing Bulgarian irregulars." • . Another French communique states: "Cannonades continue on the Struma and Doiran fronts, and aro particularly violent at Mont Sbeles. The British, on the left bank of the Vardar, in a violent battle, defeated the Bulgars and Germans. The British are firmly established at Matchukovo; and also at two points to the northward." N SERBS THREATENING BULGA"R COMMUNICATIONS. Salonika, September 15. Th© Serbian successes in tho Potrieski region threaten to out the communications of tho Bulgarians in Groece. Tho Bulgars are retiring at maay points, under pressure from the Serbians, who are ocoupying successive enemy positions.' BULGARS THROWN BACK IN CONFUSION. . (Reo. September 17, 5.5 p.m.) 4 « .■ Paris, September 17. A' French official communique states: "We have mado appreciable progress in the region of Vetrenik and Kajmakalan. The Serbians west of Ostrovo Lake threw back the enemy in confusion, continued their forward march with extremo rapidity, and crossed the Broda River, seven miles north-east of Fiorina. They have now oaptured 32 guns. " "The Franco-Russian left wing has captured the Malareka heights, ana continues its notorious advance in the Fiorina region. Our air squadron dropped numerous bombs on Monastir-" CAVALRY RAIDS ON THE BRITISH FRONT • (Rcc. September 17, 5,5 p.m.) v • London, September 16. A British offioial communique from Salonika states: "Our raiders crowed, the Struma at Dzamimah ancKKomaja, capturing prisoners. Our mounted troops raided Gudeli. We have steadily bombarded the onemy on tho Doiran front." • ' • ALLIES' AIRMEN VISIT BULGAR CAPITAL. (Renter's T«legram.) Bucharest, September 15. Two Allied airmen from Salonika, after, dropping bombs on Sofia, have arrived here. Tho whole journoy occupicd three hours. RUSSIANS IN NORTH.WESTERN GREECE Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Reo. September 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 16. The'"Daily Chronicle's" 'Athens correspondent states that it is reliably reported that a Russian detachment has roaohed the neighbourhood of Kastorja, in North-western Greece, and captured tho villages of Zaggritteam and Goritzani, making prisoners; also that French troops are near Kastoria. The enemy, avoiding battle, is retreating to a, fortified line from Roulias to Kanobitioru. VICTORIOUS MARCH OF THE SERBIANS ' I (Rec. September 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, September 16. A Serbian official communique states: "In the Bulgarian retreat we captured 32 guns. It is belioved that French and Russian troops havo entered Fiorina." DEADLY ACCURACY OF SERBIAN GUNNERS. : f • • (Rec. September 17, 5.5' p.m.) London,. September 16. The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent states that tho Crown Prince of Serbia" is leading the offensive. Tho Serbians throughout Thursday victoriously attaoked along their whole front, the Bulgar positions falling one after another. The enemy is boing pressed towards Fiorina. Prisoners report heavy Bulgar losses, owing to tho accuracy of the Serbian artillery. SERBIAN CAVALRY NEAR MO'NASTIR. •' (Rcc. September 17, 5.5 p.m.) Rome, September 16. A wireless message from Athens states that the Serbian pursuit of tho _ flcoii'it: Bulgarians Numerous bands of Bulgarian comitadjis (irre»uiar"mar»uder?) are taking .refuge in Greece. It is reported that the Serbian cavalry is near Monastir, which has been evacuated. The Greek garrison at Koritza (in North-western Greece) has been recalled to Athens, leaving it to the Bulgarians. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Ranter's Telegram- 1 (Rec. September 17, 11.55 p.m.) Amsterdam, September 17. \ A German official communique states: —"After the loss of Malhanidxe, 1 Tho Bulgarians occupied a defensive line which had been prepared beforehand. Repeated Sorbian attacks on tho Moglona front, near Preslap height, failed."