GREECE

Nelson Evening Mail, 28 September 1916, Page 5

GREECE

STATEMENT BY VENEZUELOS THE CRY OF HIS COMPATRIOTS COULD BE NO LONGER UNHEEDED (Published in The Times.) (Rec. Sept. 28, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. Prior to leaving Athens M.. Venezelos made a special statement to The Times representative. He announced that he was going to the Greek Islands to lead the movement against the Bulgarian invaders who were overrunning Greek Macedonia, maltreating prisoners, and murdering unprotected Greeks whom the Greek army left at their mercy. He could no longer resist the cry of his compatriots calling him to save them. He rad recently sent a- message to King Constantine urging him to rescue the Greeks and offering to retire if it would make the path easier. M. Venezelos hesitated before taking the supreme step until he was convincd- that those now controlling Greece's policy did not intend to arm to drive the enemy out. The patriotic movement was not intended against King or dynasty, but was made by those unable longer to stand aside. Also it was the last effort he could make to induce the King to come forth as King 'f the_ Hellenes and follow the path of duty in protecting his subjects. M. Venizelos feels sure he can count on the ! o _°d. will of the free English people. The mission he was now setting out to accomplish, the movement he and M. Counlouritits were leading, was purely naional. He had exhausted all legal rneans to secure integral national action, f Athens moved in. the right direction t-tie Venezelists would assist in every possible way. 18. VENEZELOS

LEADER. OF THE NEW MOVEMENT. POWERFUL FOLLOWING ASSURED. PARTING ADDRESS TO ASSOCIATES. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ATHENS, Sept. 27. \ Venezelos' move was a bombshell do the public. The newspapers were sagerly bought, and excited groups in the streets discussed the possibilities of the situation. M. Venezelos is absolutely assured of a powerful following-, probably sufficient to force the situation. M. Venezelos and l a dozen supporters secretly left Athens in motor cars at. 3 o'clock in the morning;. They reached Phaleron Bay by a roundabout route, and embarked on the speedy little Greek liner Hlesperia, with General Cbndburiotis, "yvho is popular here with aM Hellenes. . Before leaving, M. Venezelos attended a meeting of his principal followers. 'He declared that the events at Kavala had caused him to lose hope that the Greeki Government would act with' sufficient promptness to secure the honour and interests of Greece. Therefore it was necessary to act himself in a higher capacity than that of leader of tlio Liberals. The conflict in which he might eventually be forced to engage would be outside constitutional! limits, and he freed his supporters from their party ties and left them free to follow their consciences. REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT GROWING A 100 OFFICERS IMPRISONED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) I (Rec. Sept. 28, 9.20 a.m. COPENHAGEN, Sept. 27. Athens advices state that a* hundred Greek officers who endeavoured to join therevolutionaries were imprisoned with hard' labour. There were serious revolts'at' Larissa, and the revolutionary movement is Arrowing. • • GEJ*ERAL IMOSCHiOPOULOS' RE'SIGNATION DENIED. (Australian and N.Z. Caible Association.) - ATHENS, Sept. 27. The report jof General Moschopoulos' resignation w® premature. He and 500 officers (have memorialised the Kiug to depart from neutrality. A'N ABSCONDING DESTROYER. 'LONDON, /Sept. 26. The Daily Chronicle's Athens cori'espondent says the Greek destroyer Nonchi quitted the fleet and reached the open sea. It is believed thet she is bound 1 /for Canea or Salonika to participate in the National movement. ANOTHER R/EPORT. (Rec. Sept. 28, 11.50, a.m.) ATHENS,' Sept.; 27. ' j The Patris states that M. Venezelos does not intend interfering, immediately with the status quo at A.thens. The object of the movement is purely national and the formation of an army for the purpose of handling Macedonia to the Allies. KING CONSTANTINE AND M. VENEZELOS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association , (Rec. Sept. 28, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. The Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent states that King- Constantino has opened comunicatmions with M. Venezelos. iPRTNiCE GEORGE 'OF SERBIA. (Rec. Sept. 28, 11.60 a.m.) ATBH'ENS, Sept. 27. Prince George of Serbia has arrived at Salonika. SERBIAN SUCCESS. (Rec. Sept. 28, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. A _ French communique states:—The Serbians ,at Kajniackalan threw back three violent attacks, inflicting heavy losses. > , . .