SURRENDER OF GREEK WAR MATERIAL DEMANDED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2938, 25 November 1916, Page 9

SURRENDER OF GREEK WAR MATERIAL DEMANDED

' GOVERNMENT OBDURATE , , ; o •• * . :/ . "• ACQUIESCENCE WOULD PROVOKE WAR. WITH GERMANY ' , (Renter's Telegram.) Athens, November 23. A'dmiral du Fournot's demands for surrender of war material included eighteen batteries of field artillery and sixteen batteries of mountain artillery, thousand Mannlicher rifles,. and one:, hundred and forty 'machine-guns'.' Admiral du Fournet contended'that this would equalise the war material handed to the Bulgars and Germans (by the surrender of the Ivavalla garrison). ' • The Government replied that the Entente Powers had already taken 191 modern guns, while the guns given to tho Bulgars and Germans were obsolete. The Government further contends that acquiescence to the demand would constitute a hostile act towards the Central Powers, and would besides prevent Greece from defending herself. . . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Athens, November 23. Tho Government, in formally refusing to hand over war material to th© Allies, declared that national sentiment was opposed to disarmament. The Government also bases its refusal on tho ground that .it would provoke Germany to a declaration of war. , Anti-Entente circles are jubilant, and declare they will resolutely faco the possibility of a blockade. ENEMY MINISTERS IN GREECE EXPELLED Athens, November 23. The Greek Government protested to the last against the expulsion of the four enemy Ministers. Admiral du Fournet replied that Ministers engaged in espionage must go. '■ The United States Legation will represent th 6 interests of Austria," Turkey, and "Bulgaria. .Spain is entrusted with tho German-interests. ■ More than.twenty who were compromised in the espionage charges left with the enemy Ministers, including Baron"von Schenk's .principal agent; Herr Oaro, director of a Germanschool.

SHARP PROTEST FROM GERMANY. (Beuter'fl Telezram.l (Reo. November 24, 9.40 p.m.) _ „ , . Amsterdam, November 24. Berlin official: Germany has protested in the sharpest manner to Greece, all neutrals, and to France and England against the deportation of Ministers at Athens. SINKING OF THE HOSPITAL SHIP BRITANNIC DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IMPOSSIBLE FOR SUBMARINE TO MISTAKE THE VESSEL (Pouter's Telegram.) v a t . , •j* ± h i 'London, November 23. Every effort was made to indicate tlie character of the Britannic. On each"" side- of the hull a gigantio red cross was painted, with each arm illuminated by 300 electric lights. It was impossible for a submarine to make a mistake by day or night. In the House of Commons, replying to Sir Edward Carson, Mr. Asquith said this was the wreck of a hospital ship known to bo a hospital ship. Tlie Government was considering the question of calling the attention of neutrals to the case. ... - — i ■ MANNER OF DESTRUCTION NOT YET DEFINITELY KNOWN. Außtralian-New Zealand Cable Association. , . . London, November 23. Mr. Asquith ill the Houso of Commons stated that it was not yet definitely certain whether ( the Britannic was sunk by a torpedo. , EXPLOSION OCCURRED DURING BREAKFAST -TIME. • (Rec. November 24, 5.20 p.m.) mi ~n •, .., ~ ... London, November 23. the JJaily Chronicles Athens correspondent • reports that Matron Dowse, of the Britannic, states that the explosion took, place while they were at breakfast. There was no idea of danger of sinking. All the nurses lined np on deck quietly. .A few of the staff who were sick were carried up and got away safely. All the nursing sisters were saved. They abandoned! their medals and belongings. They were two hours in the boats near land in a smooth .sea. .Many yere sufferers from strain, and became distracted. VESSEL CARRIED . ONLY HER CREW AND STAFF. The High Commissioner reports: rm.uj.f- London,' November 23, 12.45 p.m. The Admiralty reports: The Britannic carried only her crew and hosnital staffA BERLIN. ESTIMATE OF SHIPPING SUBMARINED. Australian-New "Zealatd Cable Association. .•••■ •„ i ' , „ „ London, November 23. ■ ■ j i j. ll^ e P°, rt ani 19 uncGS that 306,000 tons of the Allies' 6hipping was destroyed m October. Two and a half million tons of British shipping has been sunk during the war. • . The newspapers aro delirious with delight, and claim that the destruction ot commerce by submarines will inevitably end the war in Germany's favour m twelve months. . ALLIES. CONSULTING ON THE TON-FOR-TON POLICY. 'Renter's Telegram.! (Rec.. November 2-1, 5.20 p.m.) Tn fim tfAn. f n • . . London, November 23. _ ln the House or Commons, in reply to a question, Mr. Asquith said: We are in consultation with the. Allies as to the desirableness of adopting a ton-for-ton policy on sunken ships. . °