OPEN TREACHERY IN GREECE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2951, 11 December 1916, Page 5

OPEN TREACHERY IN GREECE

MENACE IN REAR OF ALLIES' BALKAN ARMY AFTER BUMANIA---WHAT WILL THE . ENEMY DO? (ilea December 10, 5.5 p.m.) ■ ■ London, December 9. ' A.correspondent with the Rumanian Army F-tates that four Rumanian divisions defeased a. Gorman, Turkish, and two Bulgarian divisions, south-west of Bucharest, capturing twenty-six cannon. The battle was indecisive.— I "The Times." RUMANIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rco. December 10, 11.15 p.m.). . London, December 9. A. Russian official communique states: '"The Russians captured five hundred prisoners, sis machine guns, and three cannon in an engagement west and south of Valleputna, on the Rumanian front, where the, enemy was dislodged from two heights."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. THE ORSOVAN REARGUARD. i (Rec. December 0, 5.50 p.m.) London, December 8... The division which surrendered in the Alt Valley is the remnant of the Rumanian rearguard at Orsova, which has been fighting for three weeks in rear of the Germans.—Beuter. BUCHAREST'S GUNS SAVED. '' (Rev.. December 0, 5.50 p.m.) Petrograd, December 8. All the guns in the forts at Bucharest were saved, and the Rumanian Army retired in an orderly manner.—Router. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 8. A' German official message states: "The rapidity of the Austro-Gerruan advance across the Bucharest-Ploasci line resulted in the cutting off and capture of most of the Rumanian troops j n tho Prcdoal-Altchaus region. The pursuit is proceeding between the mountain range and the Danube. The Niuth Army alone look 1000 prisoners yesterday."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter. . , , ... , , , ■ . A German official communique states: "Immense booty was captured in |Rum'ani;i, including 181 guns, and 70,000 prisoners." THE RUMANIAN CORN SUPPLIES. (Rec. December 9, 5.50 p.m.) London, December 8. The "Spectator" states that experts have calculated that even if the Germans cot the whole of the Rumanian corn, and overcame the transport difficulties tho supplies would only be sufficient for three weeks' rationing for the Central Powers.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Awn. THE ENEMY'S NEXT MOVE (Rec. December 10, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 9. The success of von Hindcnburg's ssehemes has resulted in many speculalions as to liow ho will use von Mackensen's and von Falkenhayn's victorious armies' He will certainly continue his policy of striking at the Allies' weakest spot. Throe alternatives are suggested—an attack on Italy, a. blow in the direction of Bessarabia and Odessa, via Rumania., or an attack on General Sarrail in tho Balkans, in tho hope of bringing in Greece. It is

generally expected that when von Mackcnsen reaches the- Rijeso-Riunauian entrenched front'which is defending Moldavia, the Germans will also entrench and seek to effect a Rumanian political coup <?etat by mingled, flattery and threats. The 'Rumanian pro-Ally Government has gone to Jassy, hut a strong pro-Gorman party has remained in Bucharest, and is capable of forming a Government which the Germans will recognise. ' "To Liquidate Hie Balkan Danger." A senii-offioial statement in the "Rnsski Invalide" (Petrograd) states that the enemy is in a hurry to finish with the Balkans in order to begin operations against the Russians in the spring. The Germans are creating numbers of fresh reserve formations during the winter, considered necessary by German Headquarters for the liquidation of the Balkan danger, which threatened to cut off Austria and Germany from Turkey and Bulgaria. ' Decisive action on all the Allied fronts will bo necessary before the enemy has time to complete l'lis programme.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. . ITALY EXPECTS AN ATTACK (Rec. December 9, 5.50 p.m.) \ " . London, December B. is rife in the European capitals concerning Germany's plans. M, iAarcel Hutin (Paris) states that the Rumanian first and second armies have reaoh>td lino, and also the.Seroth line, and arc strongly entrenched. Theirejforo von Mackensen's advanco in Moldavia is unexpected. Berlin's boast )Vs that it will be General Sarrail's turn next. ',the ItaJian Press insists that the Central Powers intend to launch, an offensive against Italy.—United Service. VIOLENT FIGHTING IN THE BALKANS FALKEN'H.AYN REPORTED IN COMMAND OF THE ENEMY ; , . . Paris, December 8. The "Patit Parisien" states:—"The enemy's activity on the Monastir front may be file prelude to violent attacks, especially as a neutral source reports that von Falkenhayn is in command of the troops opposing General Sarrail. The t'ntemy is apparently being strongly reinforced."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. '•-.1-IRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. / London, December 8. A French official communique states: "The Serbians completely repulsed three violent cdutnter-attacks by the Germans and Bulgars in the region of Stravina. Bad we»v Vher is preventing operations."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SERBIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE/ ■ * London, December 8. A Serbian official communique states: "There has been hard fighting on. the wholo front. The itaeniy, reinforced, made several attempts to recapture the lost positions nortVr of Grunista. All the attacks were repulsed with heavy enemy losses. Tnb fighting continues."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRINGING THE GREEKS INTO LINE BLOCKADE NOW IN FORCE Paris, December 8. The Greek blockade began', at 8 o'clockthis morning. Ships belonging toother Powers are allowed till \8 o'clock on Sunday morning to leave the blockaded! ports.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable i\&sii. I . (Rec. .December 10, 5.5 p.m.) n j x i. •»„. i.'i ii.ni ,•• Lontlon i December 9. . Correspondents at Athens statfe- that the roads of Tbessaly are filled with Government wagons, arms, and iammunition, which are being freely taken up to mountain villages and distributed from Larissa. The blockade is already being felt in Greece. The countrj' is .on comparatively short commons, and for nearly a year has been living fre-.m hand to mouth. The stoppage- of the steamer traffic is being felt, and a \weitk of famine will soon convince the Greeks of the predicament into rthiuh King Constantine has led thcrii— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN BRIBE TO T.EAIPT GREECE INTO WAR, '..,'' ■ Rome, December 8. A wireless message states that Avist.ua- and Germany have offered to open Greece's land communications if Grceco will declare war on the Entente — Aus.-N.Z. Cable 'Assn. . CONSTANTINE MUST RE \ HELD TO iACCOUNT T .■ ■ ' .' ~L , , ' ' London,-December 8. .Lord Denman, m a letter to the nouvs] wpors, states that lie visited Athens in July ; and met a number of prominent Venizelists, some of whom are suffering in the present outrages, whilo the lot of the humbler Venizclists must her evon more sorious. He fears that many have been done to death like rats in tho streets of Athens. "Atrocities may bo committed which will equal the onemy's achievements in Belgium and The change of Government must not delay for an instant drastic action by t\ht\ Allies. Everv. day is precious. The now Foreign Secretary must realise the ■ of recognising two Governments. King Constantine must be. held tV) strict accountability for his complicity in the crimes which have been committed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CAT OUT OF Th\E' BAG / HUNGARIAN PREMIER AND HIS aUEEK "FRIENDS." (Rec. December 10, 5.5 p.nv..)> ' [ ■■ London, December 0Count Tisza, speaking on Thursday at Budapest;, s&id: "We have received most favourable information from Greece, whero 'things are entirely in our' favour.' The Greek Army showed marvellous bravery in tho. Balkan campaign, and is excellently equipped and armed to-day. 1 " v Count Tisza's words wro greeted with enthusiasm and cheering.' and are regarded as confirming the report that Greece has entered into-a solemn pact with the Germanio Powers on condition that von Mackonseu and von Falkenhayn are sent to Macedonia. Telegrams from Berlin, predict a diplomatio break between the Entente and Greece within the nest.few days.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .;■-.- "WHILE DIPLOMACY MARKS' OTME".-' GREEK "TREACHERY PARTY" BUSILY PREPARING. London, December 8. • The "Daily Chronicle's" correspondent-at tho Piraeus siiys:—"The situation at Athens is critical. While diplomacy marks time, tliio Greek Royalists are determined to persevere in the'path they have chosen. Mobilisation is proceeding rapidly, and strong forces have been seiv.t to Larissa. The notorious General Dousmanis is supervising theso warlike \ preparations, and it is unlikely that peaceful counsels will prevail with the military clique,whose ardour has been inflamed by outrageous German repoits of Balkan victories and lavish but impossible promises from Potsdam. ' 'It is stated that the Kaiser sent by wireless his congratulations to King Constantine, wishing him further success. Tho Greeks occupy points of vantage at Athens and the Piraeus, and are making trenches everywhere. Guns have been mounted on the surrounding hoights, and efforts are on foot f.o establish a strong army at Larissa, with the object of falling on the Allies;' rear in conjunction with a. German-Bulgar attack from the north. "The Party of .Treachery." > "The Greek military party is full of determination and convinced of success. The Party of Treaohery is absolutely unrepentant, and any further parley can only lead to fresh deception and tragedy. Every fresh fact throws into stronger relief King Constantino's hideous treachery. It is necessary to insist on these points, because the Greek censorship has perverted the earlier messages. King Constantine now openly appears as what he has always been secretly, a faithless deceiver and trickster. It is unthinkable that this Royal militarist regime will bo longer tolorated, especially as General Sarrail's fears of a Greek army at his rear havo been shown to have been fully justified. Swift Vengeance Imperative. "Tho full story of Saturday's man-hunt shows that Greek troops and reservists disgraced even the barbarish. Men of all ages were dragged or driven through the streets, despite their wounds, goaded with bayonets and rifle butts, and paraded and cinomatographed before jeering and filthy crowds. Women who had been arrested were maltreated. Swift vengeance is imperative. Wo must avengei our murdered soldiers and sailors, and banish the peril that is threatening the Allied-armies. No compromise or diplomatio settlement is possible in tho face of Constnntine's pro-German-ism."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. , . DELIBERATE INSULTS TO THE ENTENTE LEGATIONS (Rec. December 10, 5.5 p.m.) , London, December 9. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Athens says:—"Apart from the sava"e extermination of Venizelist Sl and Royalist treachery and insults, Britain and France ought to know of the deliberate iasults which have been cast upon her diplomatic representatives. Mr. G.' W. Rendel, Secretary to the British Legation, was thrown into a barn and then dragged to the police station. No .apology was forthcoming. ■,',., "The Athenians are in a. blue funk,' expecting a naval bombardment. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. _____ THE "ST-BARTHOLOMEW" WEEK-END (Rec. December 10, 5.5 p.m.) Athe.ns, December 9. The Spanish, Dutch, and American Ministers have presented a joint protest against the cruelty of Greek officers and soldiers in Athens on December l°and 2.—Router. . . ' ANOTHER GREEK ISLAND DEALT WITH. (Rec. December 10, 0.0 p.m.) London, December 9. An Allied naval force landed on .the idland of Syra, in the Cyclades gToup, belonging to Greece, replaced a functionary, and arrested several suspects, thus ensuring tranquility.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.