LATEST CABLE NEWS ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1923, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS ITALY AND GREECE.

COME 10 BLOWS. CORFU ISLAND BOMBARDED. GREECE GIVEN A FEW HOURS To OBEY DEMANDS. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ROME, Aug. 31. Signor Mussolini (Premier ol Italy) communicated the Greek reply to the Italian cabinet. He declared that it was not acceptable. Certain decisions were reached. ATHENS, Aug. 31. Italy handed in a Note ac 5 o’clock announcing that Italian forces had occupied Corfu island at 4 o’clock. The Note said the measure was intended as peaceful and only temporary. Italy at the same time delivered an ultimatum, giving Greece only live hours’ grace. LONDON, Sop. 31.

A Greek report "states that the island of Corfu was shelled for half an hour, and 15 people were killed. Tho “ Times’s ” Rome correspondent states:—“The Italian Fleet sailed under sealed orders.”

The Italian ncwspapeis, from Brindisi, say that the Greek steamer Utranidos, which should have sailed loi Greece last evening, has been detained by the Italian authorities there. An Italian steamer, which had cleared for Levant ports, was ordered to proceed direct to Constantinople, without touching at Greece.

LONDON, Aug. 31. The news agencies report that martial law has been declared in Greece.

The agencies also report that two classes of Italian troops have been warned to be readv to mobilise. ATHENS, Sop. 1.

The French and British representatives here have received instructions regarding representations to the Greek Government.

It is announced, from Janina, that Albania has reinforced the Graeco-Al banian frontier guards, and has prohibited the passage across the frontier of a Greek courier carrying the Delimitation Commission’s’ papers. LONDON, Sep. 1.

The “ Daily Express’s ” Athens correspondent says :—The news of the occupation of Corfu reached Athens before the announcement that an Italian ultimatum had been dispatched at noon, which had given Greece five hours’ grace from 5 o’clock. Nobody in Greece bcblieved Italy would commit a warlike act until Greece had definitely rejected the Italian demand. Martial law was declared to-day, after a great patriotic demonstration. The people liope the Government’s appeal to the League of Nations will prevent war, hut they fail to see from where the Lenguo can derive any force in tho dispute.”

GREEK REFUSALS. TO EXECUTE ASSASSINS. ATHENS, Aug. 31. The Greek reply says:—Greece considers there is no justification for Italy’s assertion that the Greek Government was responsible for the massacre. The Government took all possible measures to ensure the safety of the mission. In two notes it drew the attention of the Albanian Government to tho presence of Albanian brigand bands. Nevertheless, the Government, taking inLo consideration that the crime was committed on Greek territory against citizens of a friendly Power, agrees v ith some modifications, to tlio demands for the expression of full regret with ia Stale memorial service, the saluting of the Italian flag, and military honours to ilic victims.”

The reply concludes: It is impossible to accept demand.-, for capital punishment of those responsible, the indemnity of £500,000 or. an inquiry in the presence of an Italian military attache, but willingly accepts bis assistance in carrying out investigations. The Government is prepared to accord a just indemnity to the victims’ families.

The Greek papers unanimously condemn the crime and express friendly sentiments towards Italy. They hope that Cabinet will, give legitimate satisfaction to Italy without .going beyond the limits of national dignity. A telegram from .Tanina says that Greek military detachments have started in pursuit of the murderers. ROME, Aug. 31.

Anti-Greek demonstrations continue, liotahlv at Trieste, where the Nationalists and Fascists burned the Greek flag

ITALY’S ULTTMATFM. ATHENS, Aug. 31. The Italian Legations advised tinGreek Government at norm flint the Greek Note was unsatisfactory, and that at 5 o’clock an ultimatum would he handed over, hut the occupation of Corfu was announced at. -1 o’clock, causing great indignation. GREEK PROTESTS. Greece will protest: against the antiGreek demonstrations in 'ltaly, and will demand satisfaction for an insult to the Greek flag at Trieste. IS GREECE GUILTY? LONDON, Sep. 1. Tho “Westminister Gazette ’’ states: “Tf Signor Mussolini has evidence that the Greek Government is responsible for the murders, ho should produce it in the proper place, which is before the League of Nations.”

ITALIAN NAVY MOVES. ROME, Sep. 1. The Milan paper “ II Secolo,” declares that an Italian squadron is already on iis way to Piraeus, and the fleet is now manoeuvring at Taranto, together with an air squadron. This report is unconfirmed elsewhere. ITALIANS IN LONDON. LONDON, Sep. I. The Italians here have received orders from tho Secretary of their Legation to hold themselves in readiness for army service during the next five days, when it will he known whether they are wanted or not. ROME. Aug. 31. Tho King of Italy is returning to Rome from his summer residence immediately. NOT INTERNATIONAL DISPUTE. ROME, Aug. 31. It is authoritively stated that the Greek attempt to make the Janina crime, an international question will be resisted by Signor Mussolini, who will contend that the matter concerns only Greece and Italy. DOES ITALY WANT CORFU? LONDON, Aug. 1. The “ Daily Telegraph,” editorially regards Greece’s reply as “adequate,” and it proceeds to remark: “We have tx-en loth to think that there was any “ arric-re pensee ” behind the Italian Note, but the occupation of Corfu, even though it may prove to be momentary, is ominous, when one remembers that 10 years ago, the Corfu channel figured prominently in the claims of Italy and Greece, and also at the time of the Treaty of London. By their present action, the Italian Government are enlarging the bounds of the quarre] in a most dangerous way,”

JUGO-SLAVIA SENDS ULTIMATUM ROME, Sep. 1. The Albanian Legation here announces that Jugo-Slav Coraitadjis have sent an ultimatum to the International Commissio ntliat has been delimiting the boundary of Albania and Jiigo-Slnvia to suspend the work forthwith. Albania ha ssent a protest to the Ambassadors’ Conference. CASE FOR THE LEAGUE. LONDON, Aug. 31. The "Daily Herald ” (Labour) says: “ This is plainly a test case for tho League of Nations.” GREECE LOOKS TO BRITAIN. ROME, Aug. 31. The paper “Messaggero” is reliably informed that'the Greek refusal to pay the required indemnity and the Greek request for a modification of tho flag saluting demand are absolutely unsatisfactory to Italy. The paper states that Greece is endeavouring to bring about British intervention, for the purpose of retarding the development of Italian action. BRITISH SUPPORT OF GREECE. LONDON, Aug. 31.

The “Daily Express’s” lobbyist says: “Tho Graeco-Italian crisis lias assumed an ominous outlook, owing to the Italians seizing Corfu. The situation is regarded with anxiety,- but the British Government is not without hope that Signer Mussolini will eventually allow tho dispute to lie settled by arbitration. Britain will certainly support Greece’s application, to the League of Nations, and already Britain has sent instructions to that effect to the British delegates at Geneva. British Government quarters regret Signor Mussolini’s action.

The “Morning Post” says: “Apart from the treaty of 1864, it is obvious that the occupation of Corfu Island, with its high strategic importance in the Meditteranean, is an affair that must seriously perturb every Power with a Mediterrcan Fleet. It is imposible to dismiss a sense of disquietudo and a desire for explanations and assurances in the face of such a startling development. FLAMES OF AVAR FANNED. LONDON, Aug. 31. Tho. “Daily Express,” in an editorial says:—“ltaly seems determined to force Greece into a complete fulfilment cf Signor Mussolini’s arbitrary, harsh terms. The first action of aggression has already been taken in the seizure of Corfu. War flames are being fanned. If tho dispute wero confined to Greece and Italy, there might, he hope for an adjustment. Unfortunately, there is an exact parallel in the affair of Serajevo. The result may inflame the Balkans in a dreadful war. the end jvhereof no olio can foresee. ‘ Everyone’s hopes and prayers must lie, even at the last minute of the eleventh hour that war will he averted.

BRITISH DIPLOMATIC VIEW. LONDON, Aug. 31. The “Daily Chronicle’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “There is a definite feeling in official circles that the Italian ultimatum to Greece was too strongly worded. There is no evideneo a i to whether it was Albanians or Greeks who perpetrated the outrage, but as the crime was committed ou Greek soil Greece lias done tho right thing in forthwith expressing regret and ordering enquiry without delay. If the members of the Greek Government had themselves committed the murders. the Italian note could scarcely have been more drastic. The last thing that Greece wants is to fall out with other nations, but Italy is demanding that Greece, to all intents and purposes. shall insult her own flag. As tilings stand, Italy will not carry tho backing even of her allies. Threats of naval attacks will only strengthen a feeling ihnt she has been going beyond just demands. Italy would lie ill-ad-vised to take any definite action before the League of Nations has delivered its opinion.

OCCUPATION IT,LEGAL. l/ONDON, Sept. 1. “The Daily Telegraph” diplomatic correspondent says: “The Italian action at Corfu certainly constitutes a grave breach of international law, whereto Britain cannot remain indifferent. Under Article Two of the Treaty of March 29th. 1864, it was declared that the Island of Corfu and Pavo would enjoy perpetual neutrality. I hinted yesterday that Italy was credited with harbouring secret designs on Corfu, hut I refused to believe such a sinister motive was behind the Italian indignation over the assassinations. The occupation of tho Island, however, is now an accomplished fact. Its inevitable result will he to place the most serious strain upon international relations, and even on Anglo-Ttalian relations. Britain could not afford to remain indifferent to the foreign occupation of Corfu, firstly because she is one of the guarantors of its neutrality, and secondly because Corfu is in .a strategic position which could lie easily misused by any but a small power. Bv its seizure, Signor Musolini is, in effect, challenging an international settlement of signal importance to British sea power, as also to the military security of Greece and Albania, also Sorvia, for Servia cannot fail to grasp that the ultimate objective of such an occupation would be contrary to her vital interest. Signor Mussolini is creating for bis country a future as perilous as that created for the Aus-tro-Hungarian monarchy by its ultimatum to Servia. Nor is this all. Italy. |»y the occupation of Corfu, has al-ri-adv defied the League of Nations. Ther is no need to point out that a conflagration, once started, would spread to the whole Dnnubean Europe, where our ex-allies and ex-enemies, lor instance Bulgaria and Hnngaria, might quickly become involved and embroiled.

FRENCH PAPER SUGGESTS PEACE PARIS, Sept. I. “Journal de Debats” says: "Greece has offered Italy a considerable measure of satisfaction. This affair ought to he rapidly settled. We hoiie Signor Mussolini will not follow tho Dual Monarchy’s example in their treatment of Servia.” ITALIAN. ORDERS. tßereirod this dav at 9.0 a.in.) ATHENS, Sept. 2. The Italian Admiral has prohibited Greek vessels passing through the Strait of Otranto and it Iso between Corfu and the Greek mainland. LONDON, Sept. 2. The “ Sunday Express” Athens correspondent states that the Government has fallen. Zaimui has been asked to form a Ministry. ITALY’S ATTITUDE. ATHENS, Sep. 2. Italy has announced she refuses to accept, tho decision of the League of Nations. ITALY’S ACTION. GENEVA. Sept. 2. A significant fact at the League of Nations’ Assembly was that M. Salandra btated he had no permission to discuss the matter before council. The delays will allow the Italian Government to justify itself in not following Snlandra to explain all, the discussion centred on the suddenness of Italy’s action. It is expected the Council will assemble on Tuesday. ROME, Sept. 2. An official savs Corfu was not surrendered within the time limit, and the Italian squadron after blank shots, fired a few rounds with light guns, and killed or wounded a. dozen Greek citizens, because the authorities had not removed the population in-spite of the warnings from the squadron. Signor Mussolini telegranhed all Powers and the League of Nations explaining Italy’s ease. Simmoniti at Corfu ordered a complete censorship.