ITALY AND GREECE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 2

ITALY AND GREECE.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ITALIAN OCCUPATION. , ROME, Sept. 2. Italian troops occupied- the small islands of Paxos and Antipaxos. This is regarded here simply as the completion of Italian action at Corfu. A DOUBT. PARIS, Sept, 2. AVell-informi'd circles Here believe the adjournment of the I.eaguo of Nation’s decision on tho Greek appeal till Tuesday is due to a doubt whether the League is legally entitled to take the place of a Conference of Ambasadors in settling the Italo-Greek dispute. PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN. ATHENS, Sept. 2. The newspapers appeared in mourning for the Corfu victims and the theatres and cinemas were closed. Memorial services are to be held at all the churches to-morrow, and the strictest measures are being taken against anti-Italian outbreaks, in view of the presence of two hundred thousand Italians in Greece. The newspapers are foi bidden to publish inflammatory matter.

A PROTEST. ATHENS, Sent, 3 Tho Athens Government has protested to the League of Nations and also to the Archbishop of Canterbury against the killing of civilians. EMPIRE DELEGATION TO MEET GENEVA, Sept 2. Lord Itobert Cecil has convened a meeting of the Empire delegation for to-night. Expectation runs high as to the League’s action on th Greek appeal. while the admission of Germany causes speculation, though it is unlikely she will make application. The city is crowded for the meeting of the Assembly. GREECE WILLING TO PAY. ATHENS, Sept. 2.

The Greek reply to the Ambassador’s Conference urges the appointment of an international inquiry which would be better than a Greek enquiry which could not extend beyond the Greek frontier. Greece is willing to pay whatever reparation the Ambassador’s Conference considers just.

GREEK SHIPS. ROME. Sept 2. The Ministry of Marine has ordered that all Greek ships be allowed to leave Italian ports without hindrance. LEAGUE COMPETENT. GENEVA. Sept. 2. Lord 1!. Cecil (British delegate) interviewed after the Council ot the League of Nations held a meeting, expressed the opinion that there was no doubt about the competency of the League Council in the present situation. Greece, he claimed, was perfectly right in invoking Articles Twelve and Fifteen of the League Convention. A certain European Premier had recently said the Treaty of Versailles was a new charter for Europe. Therefore they could not refuse to apply it in this case. Lord Cecil commented rather strongly against. the bombardment of Corfu, adding that the League of Nations must, and would do its duty. Legal experts will to-morrow examine the interpretations which can he placed upon the two Articles invoked bv Greece.

C U RZON NON-COMM ITT A 1 LONDON, Sept. 2. Lord Curzon lias returned to London. In an interview, lie said: “It is impossible to formulate a definite scheme of policy regarding the ItalvGreece crisis. The League of Nations lias the matter in hand. This seems to me tho inevitable preliminary step that must be taken. Everybody’s efforts should he devoted to strengthen tlioir hands.”

LEAGUE ON ITS TRIAL. LONDON. Sept. 2. The “Morning Post’s” Geneva correspondent says: Directly the Greek protest was received, the delegates recognised the League of Nations was facing its first really important crisis, and that the whole of its future depended upon the action now taken. It is freely asserted that Italy directly challenged the authority of the League, and that, by occupying Corfu, she committed an act of war ; in fact, declared war against 51 States in the League, and automatically set in motion tho machinery of Article 16. The feeling hardened when it was known the killed included Greek and Armenian re-, fugcos from Anatolia.” The same correspondent further states: “The position is obscure. It is difficult to believe that England would consent to sever her economic relations with Italy, er to turn her ally into a deadly enemy. If England refuses to participate, the League will brandish its thunderbolt in vain.”

ITALY MOT OBEYING LEAGUE. . ATHENS, Sept. 2. Italy has announced that, she has refused to accept the decision of the League of Nations. A CBETE DEMONSTRATION. ROME, Sept, 2. It is semi-officinlly stated that the population of Crete demonstrated at tho Italian Consulate, the personnel of which was endangered. It is also alleged the Italian flag was insulted. GREEKS ORGANISE THE MURDERS. INVESTIGATION DLSCLOSUR E. LONDON, Sept. 2. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Rome correspondent says: According to the evidence collected on the spot by the Italian Consul at Yalona, the massacre of M. llotzaris. was comitted by a platoon of Greek soldiers. It is allaged that a few days before tlq>. murder. M. Ilotzaris removed some, of the boundary marks that bad boon placed there by General Tellini’s orders. When the latter remonstrated over the removal, and ordered the replacement of the marks the Greek, Botzaris, lost his temper. He nourished a revolver at the Italian General, who then severely reprimanded him, saying that his action was not that of an officer, but a brigand.”

GREECE AND LEAGUE. ROME, Sept. 2.

The vapor “Meesagoro” criticises England’s action in supporting Greece’s action in sending the dispute to the League of Nations. The paper says:—“The Greek Government of M. Gonatas has not l>een recognised by any of the Great Rowers. He therefore is not entitled to apply to the League of Nations.” It adds: “If Die murders of the Italian mission are to be regarded as an entree to the League, then its morale will be irreparably damaged thereby.” ITALIAN LEGATION WITHDRAWN. ATHENS, Sept. 2. It is announced that the Italian Legation has suddenly been recalled from Athens. Colonel Perone, an Italian military attache, has been sent to Janina to inquire into the massacre of the Italian mission. All the Greek shipping companies have suspended sailings to Italy. Greece is still permitting Italian ships to call at Greek ports. The Greek Government has provided a detachment of 30 men to guard the Italian Legation at Athens. The Italian Minister, Signor Montagna, has informed the Greek Government that Italy has refused to accept a decision of the League of Nations on the matter of the massacre,