THE BALKAN DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1925, Page 3

THE BALKAN DISPUTE

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] OFFICIAL STATKAI ENTS. ATHENS, October 20. An official statement this afternoon announced the Bulgarians this morning attacked the Greek forces near Bumnn. SOFIA, October 28. An official announcement this afternoon states the Greeks this morning fired on the Bulgarian frontier post. PAH IS. October 28. Though an Athens telegram claims the Greeks despatched a message to the League Council announcing the troops were ordered to withdraw prior to the receipt of the Council’s ultimatum wie Council had not received the note when the time limit expired. THE GREEK POSITION. PARIS. Oct. 28. A Greek reply not having arrived, the Council of the League of Nations sat in private .session, and seriously contemplated, for the first time in the League's history, the imposing of the sanctions under Article Sixteen of the Covenant.

ft is understood Britain, France, Ttaly and Spain all agreed that their fleets should be ready to join in blockading f!recce. Meantime, however, a Greek reply ■was received and it was considered satisfactory. Though an Athens telegram claims that Greece despatched a message t the League Council announcing I 1 the troops were ordered to withdraw prior to the receipt of the Council's ultimatum, the Council had not received the note when the time limit expired.

A COLUMN SURROUNDED PARIS, (let.

On Thursday morning the news was announced that General Ga'moliii’s powerful column of three infantry regiments, cavalry, artillery and tanks, which is returning in the Syrian desert, is desperately endeavouring to fight its way to safety. Tt is feared, despite the civil evacuation of Damascus, that a military retirement will he necessary. It is announced that ten thousand reinforcements are en route, some from Morocco. The newspapers deplore General Sarrail's administration and regret tha-t lie lias obstinately rejected a broad hint that lie should return. A British refugee asserts the lmmbnrdmcnb killed three hundred French and several thousand Syrians. It is Kcmi-offieially explained in Paris that when General Gamelin’s column left Damascus, leaving a small French garrison, the Druses began looting. The garrison, fearing that it would he overwhelmed, decided to shell the quarter which the Druses must cross if they iiiempted to attack the garrison.

GREF. K -BE LG Alt TROUBLE. PARIS. Oct. no. The Council of League has received telegrams from Athens explaining the hitch in tlu> Greek evacuation of Bulgaria. occurred owing to Bulgarians following too closely upon the Greeks rear, as a result of which shots were

exchanged, hut the incident was not serious, and the evacuation is to he j carried out according to the schedule.