FIRST SHOTS FIRED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2945, 4 December 1916, Page 7

FIRST SHOTS FIRED

INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN ATHENS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. The "Daily Mail's" correspondent at Athens states that the King'sdefinite refusal to hand over the guns was announced early on Friday moraine The first shots were fired during the forenoon, at the Thesian railway station, close to the Aoropolis. Crowds were soon rushing through the streets, and shops were being shut up. Shortly afterwards a messenger arrived at the British Legation stating that firing had occurred on the slopes of the Acropolis, between French sailors and Greek reservists. SEVERAL DISTINCT FIGHTS (Rec. December 3, 11.15 p.m.) ' Athens, December 2. During the disembarkation of tbe Allies] landing parties the railway to the southward of the city was cut. Firing began at 10.30 o'clock in the morning, at the Engineer Barracks. Simultaneously, firing was heard on a lino from the Hill of Mars to the station. This was severe at times, especially at the Zappeion, where the French detachment was quartered. Fighting also occurred on the station side of the hill between the Greeks and the Italians, who occupied cottages near the road. The inhabitants took refuge on the plains at Attica, Phaleron, and other coastal places. Several distinct fights occurred in the outskirts of the city. The casualties are not known. FLEET BOMBARDS THE HILLS (Rec. December 3, 11.15 p.m.) London, December 2. The "Daily Chronicle's"'Athens correspondent states that many were killed or wounded in the Zappeion building. Greeks on the Aoropolis slopes took prisoner thirty of the French. In the afternoon the Fleet bombarded the Greek positions on the southern hills. Two shells fell in the centre of the city. It is reported that "King Oonstantine lias agreed to hand oversix batteries. The Anglo-French Ministers visited the palace in the evening, and an armistice was then signed, pending a further Crown Council. The Allied Ministers, under a Greek escort, visited the Zappeion buildings, and conferred with the commander. It is reported that the Greek casualties total one hundred. The Zappeion, in which tho French contingent landed at Athens., is quartered, takes its name from the two brothers Zappa, who gave the building for tho purpose of holding exhibitions of Greek industries._ But to Athenians the name has como to bo associated chiefly with the adjoining gardens, their favourite evening promenade. They are laid out on the site of the later Athens of Hadrian. Tcsselated floors and other _ vestiges of the Graco-Roman oity abound among the shrubberies. But the site is the chief glory of the Zappeion. It affords the most striking view of the Acropolis, the abrupt eastern face of tho rock. On the other hand is the oleander-fringed bed of the Illissus, backed by myrtle and the dark spires of _ cypresses'. Above looms a shoulder of Hymettus. In front is the Gulf, broidered with islands, the graceful peak of Aegina in the midst of the picture. To' tho right is Salamis and the rugged coastline of Argolis. In the immediate foreground rise the huge columns of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, it sunset, when tho sea is literally "wine-coloured," as Homer called it, and the mountains deep violet in the pellucid sky, one forgets tho statues of the brothers Zappa in marble frock coats. MOVEMENT OF GREEK FORCES (United Service) (Rec. December 2, 7.10 p.m.) London, December 1. Mr. Jeffries, reporting from Athens, says: "Firing began near the Thesian station, the terminus of the Piraeus line, between French sailors and Greek troops. The city was thrown into a state of panic. Shops were closed. Two French cruisers entered Phaleron Bay. Tho city is full of reservists. An earlier messago says that Greek forces aro marching south from Thessaly, Phthiotis, and Chains, in tho lightest order, bub the Athens correspondent of tho "Oorricre Delia Sera" states that the Greek Army is marohing northwards, fully equipped, towards tho rear of the Allied Army. Australian-Now Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. December 2, 7.40 p.m.) London, December 1. A wireless messago from Athens states that a detachment of Allied troops disembarked at tho Piroeus at 3 o'clock. The "Morning Post's" correspondent ab Athens says: "Tho_ landing of the English, French, and. Italian contingents was without incident. The Greek Government requisitioned the University and Polytechnic Institute for Greek naval detachments, in order to forestall thoir occupation by the Allied forces." (Roc. Docember 2, 5.30 p.m.) Rome, December 1. Correspondents at Athens telegraph that the Greek Array is marching north, taking guns. This sudden niovemont is causing intense anxiety. KING CONSTANTINE BACKS DOWN 'EXCITING SCENES BEFORE THE SURRENDER. ' (EBUlor's ToleKram.) (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) Athens, December 2. King Constantino has agreed to surrender six batteries of mountain guns, Admiral du Fourtiot agreeing io immediately withdraw all troops, except a guard of three hundred. This arrangement has been referred to the Entente Governments. Exciting scenes occurred beforo tho announcement of the King's surrender. Greek troops attempted to prevout the Allies from passing certain points, and collisions, with rifle firing, ensued and continued all the afternoon, with also a lively fusillade botween the Royalists and Venizelisls. Guns boomed at intervals. These were said to be the French bombarding a hill behind! the Palace. Great panic prevailed. GERMAN THREAT TO VENIZELISTS. Australian-Ne%7 Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. December 2, 7.10 p.m.) Zurich, December 1. The "Frankfurter Zeituug" publishes a- semi-official statement to tho effect that if the Veniwlists participate in tho fighting, the German authorities will decido thab they shall bo treated as rebels against their. King., GERMAN SUBMARINE GIVEN A WARM RECEPTION ("The Times.") (Rec. December 2, 5.30 p.m.) I Athens, December 1. It is reported that. a. German submarine attempted to enter the Straits, but was Tired on by the- land batteries and fled on tho approach of British destroyers. A complete petrol supply station has been found on Samos Island. WITH THE ALLIES IN THE BALKANS ENEMY REPULSED WITH SEVERE LOSSES. . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. London, December 1. A French official conimuniquo states: "TVo violent counter-attacks by Germans and Bulgars were made on the new Serbian positions' north-west of Grunista, and were, repulsed with severo losses, though the enemy regained their footing in the lost trenches at some points. Bad weather continues, proventing operations." Cable Assn. end Heater.) (R»o. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. The Serbians have repulsed the Bulgarians north of Grunista. SERBIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 1. A Serbian official communique states: "Despite bad weather there have been local fighting and artillory duels, notably on the Grunishte and Soyol sectors." ENEMY'S SEAPLANE BASE ATTACKED. (Rec. December 3, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 2. The Admiralty reports: "Off tTio. Bulgarian coast a squadron of naval aeroplanes attacked and greatly damaged tho enemy's seaplane base at Gereviz, and bombed Doksambos."