GREECE AND ITALY.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1923, Page 3

GREECE AND ITALY.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAnLE ASSOCIATION. CORFU BOMBARDMENT. LONDON, Sept. 4. The “Daily Telegraph’s" Athens correspondent states he interviewed British and American eye witnesses of the bombardment of Corfu, and continues;— “They state it was simply pointblank shooting at an absolutely defenceless town, with not the slightest danger of interference from the sea. Doctor Kennedy, connected with “Save the Children” fund, says the action was ill-considered, harsh, an I discreditable. A single destroyer could have seized the nlaro without firing a shot. Captain Fosrhini, Chief of the Naval Staff, entered the harbour unceremoniously, and presented to the Prefect an ultimatum stating that an occupation would take place 80 minutes later, so that the Foreign Consults could have time to warn their nations to get to safety. Captain Foschiiii refused the Prefect’s request to communicate with Athens. The Prelect then pointed out force was unnecessary, as there was only a signal gun at the fort, which was occupied by six thousand refugees and said ihe Admiral had only to proceed to occupy. Most of the residents were indulging in their afternoon siesta. Fire was opened within seven minutes of Hu* British Consul’s receipt of the warning. Five or six-inch high explosive shells were used. One shell dropped into the grounds of Prince Andrew's palace, over two miles distant. Officers of the Save the Child ten Fund were at the moment fcedi'l!? 2500 children from the “Hazelmere’’ coup kitchen. The panic which ensued can lie imagined. Tin* whole population and refugees made for the open country. While the panic stricken multitude fled, airmen swooped over and around them adding to their terror. Dr Kennedy added that he examined a number of bodies, and certified llm wounds were caused by shellfire.

GREEK ALLEGATIONS. LONDON. Sep 1. 5. The “Daily Telegraph's" special correspondent at Athens says:—“The Greek Government announces that two shepherds witnessed the Janina shooting, and made a statement that it was the work of six men, attired in Albanian peasant costume. The Greek Government (he adds) appear intensely keen to trace the perpetrators, and are equally emphatic that they will he found to he Albanians. The Government intends to offer a reward of a million drachmas for the identification of the murderers.

GREECE AGREES TO PAY. GENEVA, Sept. -I. The Greek Cabinet have agreed that the Council of the League of Nations shall nominate neutrals to participate in a tribunal for inquiring Info the murder of tlio Italian mission and that all the indemnity is to he paid to the families, which would ho fixed by a commission composed of an Italian, a Greek and a neutral magistrate Greece meanwhile is depositing 50,000,000 lire in a Swiss hank.

AN ENQUIRY. [Reuters Ter, eg rams.] (Received this day at 72 noon). PARTS. Sepl. 5. The Conference of Ambassadors took formal note of Greece’s readiness to pay the reparations determined by the Conference and her proposal for a cmimiissioii of enquiry by three powers represented on the Delimitation Commission, fho Conference recognising that the responsibility of States for political crimes in their territory is a principle of international Inn and will immediately consider the details of the proposed enquiry. This decision has h-een communicated to the League ol Nations. PREMIER AS CAR DRIVER. (Received this day at EDO p.m.) ROME, Sept. 5. Official.—Signor Mussolini will not only preside at- the opening of the International Grand I’rix at Milan on Sunday, hut lie will himself drive a racing motor ear a complete circuit of a hundred miles. He informed the committee that he desired to he the first to test the course. He will leave Rome on Friday evening, and drive to Milan by a new route which he will choose himself.