In the Balkans

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 4, 8 December 1915, Page 5

In the Balkans

GREECE AND THE ALLIES. CONSTANTINO ON HIS "DIC." "GRIEVED AT THE INSULT." ■ ... ■■■ i WHAT DOES THE OUTBURST MEAN? NEUTRALITY TO BE UPHELD. United Press Association. Athens, December 7. King Constantino gave an audience to The Times correspondent. He said he was deeply grieved and hurt at the suspicions of his intentions, and mentioned that he had always preferred England to other countries, and had spent his holidays there; but England had forgoten that he was King of Greece. His first duty was to keep Greece clear of disaster. The pitiable conditon of Belgium was always before his 1 eyes, and he would only consent to war if the existence of Greece was threatened, or the certainty of victory was so great that the rewards would justify the sacrifice. He added: "I have given my solemn assurance that Greece will never cherish designs against the Allies. It is an insult to think that Greece or its king is capable of treachery," King Constantino continued: The attack on the Dardanelles was a gamble which might or % might not have succeeded, but Greece was unable to run such risks. Nor was the Allies Balkan policy very definite; If Greece joined in and the Allies decided to retire, Greece would become • a second Belgium. Greece's friendly feelings had been sufficiently demonstrated when she placed the railway and telegraphs at the disposal of the forces at Salonika, and had perhaps ove l ' stepped her neutrality. King Constantine then asked sharply: "If the Allies' 'confidence in Bulgaria had been justified is it suggested that Greece is now the victim of vexation at her ttnsuccessful policy elsewhere?" The Greco-Serbian treaty dealt with the Balkans, and could only come into force if Bulgaria alone attacked Greece or Serbia."

He emphatically denied the rumored treaty between Greece and Bulgaria. The latter' was Greece's hereditary enemy. , . . ! • THe King said: "The 1 'present situ* ation'can be summed 1 up l in'a"'' few words. The Allied Powers made certain demands' tne'Greek' for<l ces'i'd'Macedbiiia} arid 1 we replied giving most solemn assurances that n'oth;iAg -detrimental 1 to''the 'Allies need be feared from' Greece, 1 but before we 'would'bind ourselves to an irrevocable programme we were desirous of knowing the programme that the Allies had drawn up. In reply, we have been told that England and the Allies are delibeiiating and have no fixed programme yet-decided. Can Greece in justice be invited to remove her troops to other tastricts, while the Allies still are undecided whether they will occupy and hold the evacuated region? Tnough, whatever the A/lies' plans may be Greece will not abandon neutrality;^•■*•:'■" "*'.'_*•."' '*"*. j. King Constantine concluded by ekLord 11 Kitchener and M. Cochin, &U by that the suspicions regarding his political views and aims are unjustified and cruel.

A CORRESPONDENT'S STORY.

GERMAN INFLUENCE AT WORK.

London, December 7.

The Daily 'Telegraph's Milan correspondent says that dispatches from Italian corespondentrs at Salonika and Athens indicate a very serious situation, to the Allies disadvantage. There is nothing to show that the reports are exaggerated. , King Constantine's intentions are still veiled in mystery, and are causing the Allies growing concern. Despite enormous financial difficulties the Greek military preparations are being feverishly hastened, and* are "secretly intensified by fresh decrees which appear daily, covering the particular exigencies in the event of war: New Uniforms have been distributed, the winter outfits improved, and strategic positions have been strongly occupied. The officers' pay has also been increased. German influences are openly at work, especially among the officers, who are brazenly advocating war against the Entente, while closely spying the Allies' positions in Macedonia. German officers are openly discussing ways and means of neutralising an economic blockade, and are contemplating a combined German : Bulgarian attack on the Allies in Macedonia.

King Constantine is less and less disposed to yield to the Allies. He is completely under the influence of his staff officers, who recently ostentatiously received special decorations from the Kaiser,

GENERALS CONFER. MONITORS ON THE DANUBE. Athens, December 7. General Pallis has gone to Salonika to confer with General Sarrail regarding the demands for facilities for the Entente's troops. Four Austrian. monitors have left Rustchuk to attempt to bombard Reni. CONSPIRACY TO KILL KING FERDINAND. THREE STUDENTS SHOT, (Received 8.25 a.m.) Bucharest, December 7. Three Bulgarian were shot on Sunday on a charge of plotting to kill King Ferdinand, AUSTRIANS v. ANCLO-FRENCH. BULGARIANS' HANDS FULL. (Received 8.25 a.m.) ' Amsterdam, December 7. There are indications that General von Gallwitz has been sent against the Anglo-French in Serbia, the Bulgarians considering that they should not be called on >to .fight the AngloFrench. • ■