Greece

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 13 October 1916, Page 5

Greece

THE ALLIES’ ULTIMATUM.

SAFETY OF THE FLEET AT STAKE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian nrifl X.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.5 a.m.) London, October 12. The Morning Post’s Athens correspondent states that the Entente Powers are taking, strong measures against the Hellenic Government. Admiral du Eournet proceeded to Athens, and in the name of the Allies demanded the surrender of the torpedo flotilla and the disarmament of the large ships and shore batteries, also, the transfer of the PiraeusLarissa railway, the policing of Piraeus harbour and the arsenal at Salamis. The Government handed a formal acquiescence to the British Legation.

Other Athens messages state that the ultimatum was due to the necessity of securing the safety of the Allied Fleet in view of the activity of pro-German societies in Greece. The ports of which the surrender was required commanded the moorings of ctlie Franco-British Fleets.

ALLIES' LATEST ULTIMATUM.

NAVY, ARSENALS AND RA!L-

WAYS GIVEN UP.

Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. . London, October 12. The Daily Chronicle’s Athens correspondent says that Cabinet received Admiral Dufcurnet’s ultimatum at midnight,, demanding the handing over of tile fleet, the arsenal in Keratsini Gulf, and the northern railway, also the control of the Piraeus and the disarmament of three forts. \ The Government, under protest, acceded to the ultimatum before its expiry at noon. The smaller vessels will bo handed over to the Provisional Government at Salonika, and the larger will be disarmed. Admiral Dufcnrnet’s note was received directly after the Lambros Cabinet had been sworn in. After the Cabinet meeting King Constantine motored hastily from Tatci and called upon the principal Ministers. Negotiations, were continued until three in the morning, when the decision too surrender the fleet was reached. The Allies wei'9formally notified of the'decision before 12 o’clock. During the afternoon the Greek crows of the warships disembarked and the breeches of the guns were removed. French crews were placed on the smaller ships and French guards placed on the bigger ships, the Kilkis, Lemnos, and Averoff, which left Koiatsini Gulf with skeleton crews. The Greek naval men submitted without incident. The railway was tstill unoccupied late in the afternoon. ~r,The a Telegraph’s Athens correspondent states that, following the result of the Allies’ ultimatum, the Greek fleet surrendered to the Allies.

A MENACE REMOVED.

Athens, October 12

The Allied demands wore dictated by the disposition of tho fleet, which menaced the Allied squadron, and by the concentration of troops in the interior,; which constituted a danger to the Allied army. ,It was reported in London yesterday that trenches were being dug along tre Piraeus-Larissa railway; that the King’s Palace at Larissa was being prepared; and that fifty thousand Greek troops were concentrated there The Allies demands followed hot upon these rumours and aroused a profound sensation throughout Greece, but the whole were carried out without excitement. At the Piraeus,, Greece had 3d ships, excluding 14 destroyers, six modern torpedoers, four gunboats, and two submarines.