A PROCLAMATION TO THE GREEKS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3114, 19 June 1917, Page 5

A PROCLAMATION TO THE GREEKS

SOUND GOVERNMENT, BUT—NO MORE RIOTS PITILESS REPRESSION OF OUTBREAKS ASSURED M. Jonnart, iii a proclamation to the Greeks, ■states that iw/Triuin and Knssiaj. desiring tho independence aiul prosperity of Gtocco, intend"to defend Iho bravo little land, which Wioy have liberated against the united efforts of he lurks, Bulgarians, and Germane. They will put al , end to and nhockmato tho manoeuvres ot the hereditary enemies o f Greece, and prevent violations of .tho Constitution and intrigues such as led to tho massacre of the Allies' soldiers n December The protecting Powers will, assure the constitutional progress of the country to which the late King Georgo had boon serupluously faithful, btiit irhich Constantino hjul ceased to.respect. "Tho Allies appeal to your good sense and patriotism. They wall pitilessly repress any reprisals against Greeks of any party, _antl will not tolerate a breach ot the peace, but will safeguard lives anil property by united force. . The Military Club has boon closed. A proclamation has been issued declaring that persons tampering with milatery telegraph and telephone. wires will be shot. Further troops have landed at Piraeus. Navigation of Greek waters and traffic on tlie railways is Dem-resumed, and normal conditions' are bein- re-established.—Aus.-lM .Z. Cable Assn. " CLOSING SCENES AT THE PALACE HOW THE KING RECEIVED THE ULTIMATUM. r, , , , ■'■■~ , London, June 17. Correspondents messages from Athens, which had been previously censored, disclose that there was a dramatic ecene at tho Palace when the Entente's ultimatum arrived. The Crown Prince said little. King Constantine, with tears in liis eyes, addressing Prince Alexander, who also wept, said: "The Allied Powei-s hare permitted me to choose a successor between youi and your brothers. You will succeed me." Constantino's friends, on hearing the news, frantically drove to the Palace in motors, and passed the distraught sentries. The cojirtya.Td was quickly filled by agitated men and sobbing women, crying repeatedly: "The Kinoabdicates." Church bells commenced tolling, and tlie demonstrators shouted ""Don't go!" and demanded to see Constantine. Prince Nicholas received a deputation, and explained the developments.. He said: "The King embraces von and bids you accept the bitter cuip without resentment." The crowds hailed"the departing , monarch with cries of "We don't want you to go! We want our Kiug!"-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANOTHER, ACCOUNT OF THE FINALE. •.r ' T «. • • . , ± , London, June 17. Mr. Jeflnes, writing from Athens, states: "During the closing hours of Constantino's regime it. Jonnart encountered all sorts of pro-Gorman manoeuvres. Shoals of telegrams and dispatches wero received, declaring that any attempt to remove Constantine would precipitate civil -war, and deluge Greece'with Wood. M. Jonnart remained unmoved. Then the Royal oli(|iie attempted to comm'omise offering to hand over Gournans, Doiwmanie, and Jfeteis, instead of Constantine. if. Jonnart had a. long interview with M. Zaimis (Premier), and said thai; the Allies' demands were irrevocable. M. JSaimis departed for the Palace, and told tho King his fate. The King subsequently held a. Crown Council, consisting of nine ex-Prime Ministers. Ho Tead aloud the fatpfu.l words demanding his abdication. If. Gournaris exclaimed: "It is impossible!" Constantine stopped him. saying: "I have decided to accept." TOie Crown Councillor.? left Iho Palace much agitated. jr. Skoulpudis collapsed and was carried to a. n-.otor-car. Subsenuently Constantino lunched with the Royal Family, and afterward* announced thnt he had abdicated, and that the Crown Prince had been forced to ronounce liis rights. The Queen burst into tears, and fell upon a couch sncechless. The Princesses were also overcome. The Gorman Press states on the authority of the Greek" Legation at Berne, that Constantine docs not intend to renounce his throne. Tfi« abdication is merely temporary, until circumstances permit liis resumption as King.—The "Times." EXIT CONSTANTINE Athens, June IS. Constantine lias finally left Greek territory.—Reuter. HIS NEW ROLE? Berne, Juno 17. ■It is rumoured in German official circles that Constantino will proceed to Germany, -ria Switzerland, for the purpose of leading an expedition against the Allies through Bulgaria.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. V;ENIZELOS WELCOMES NEW ERA. London, Juno 17. 31. Veni/.elos sent the following message to 31. Kibot:—"Thanks to the protecting power of the Allies, Greece has entered on a new era, awl will march resolutely in the path of honour and duty, and our own national traditions."— Aus-.N.Z. Cable Assn. TO VINDICATE FREE INSTITUTIONS. (liec. June 18, 6.40 p.m.) Paris, June 17. jr.' lliboi". (Iho French Premier) has rcnlied\ to M. Venizelos. that the protecting Powers, in allotting to Franco the task of assisting Greece to regain her unity, desiro to point out. that the principles which guided them a century ago to secure the freedom of the Hellenes remain unchanged. "France gladly takes up this great national work to ensure tho triumph of free- institutions in Greece."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. STERN MEASURES IMPRESSING THE POPULACE (Kec. June 3S, t>. 10 p.m.) London, June 17. Mr. Ward Price, reporting from Larissa, says: "The stern measures which have been taken here for punishing Greek treachery have had a salutary effect on the Greeks elsewhere. The latter have not attempted any opposition, wliilo the inhabitants havo placed -wreaths and Franco-Greek flags' upon the French graves. ; Large numbers of German, agents, spies, suppliers of - submarines, and Royalist : desperadoes havo been arrested."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A GREEK REQUEST DECLINED RESERVIST LEAGUE LEADERS TO REMAIN IN CUSTODY. (Kec. June 18, O.dO p.m.) i Athens, June 17. if. Jonnarl-. lias declined tho request of the Greek Minister of the Interior for the immediate release of the leaders of the Reservist Leagues.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ALLIES' ADVANCE IN THESSALY (Rec. Juno 18, 6.5 p.m.) London, Juno 17. A French Eastern communique states: "British airmen greatly damaged the enemy's camps at Saint Vral. Tho advance in Thessaly continues. The French cavalry has -reached Pharsalo and Doinokos, sixty kilometres (about 3S miles) ' south of Larissa. The British have occupied Demcrli."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Eeuter. GERMAN REPORT London, June 17. A German official communique eWes: "Tho English set firo to and evacuated several villages on the Struma lowland."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter.