Greece

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 10, 6 December 1916, Page 5

Greece

FRIDAY'S MASSACRETHE HEIGHT) OF TREACHERY. j OONCTANTINE’O TRIUMPH, press Association —Copyright., Ansira liau and N.Z.. Cable Association. Athens, December I. i Tlie l;R'«si figures show that tug;it I British were hilled, and thirty i-overe-ilv and tea slightly wounded, j 'lhe Daily' Glironiele’s Athens cmI respondent says that the enufliet on j Friday was the direei outcome of 'Gred; treachery. Admiral do Four- ’ net- ex pi Id i! v told King Constantine file positions he intended to occupy, *and .arranged that neither side should use force, but despite King Constantine’s ami the Government's promises that there should not he any distnrhlanee, am! their alleging that the calling up ot reservists aimed at the preservation of order, it transpires that arms were distributed to other reservists not wearing uniforms. .Moreover, when strong Greek forces were moved out ol the city, it was alleged that the action aimed at pre- \ mil mg collisions, hut the laets are i hat these forces occupied positions near the station and the Zappeion, where Admiral tin Fournet had previously told the King it was his intention to station the Drench. hnriher acts of treachery were the turning of the machine-guns upon Admiral dn Fournet’s staff, also the attack from the Palace behind the Zappeiou quarters. Air Ward Price writing from Salonika, says that as the result of the Allies withdrawing the landing parties from Athens, King Constantine considers he is freed from the restrictions laid down. His first act was to reappoint General Doiisniaiii.s as chief of the staff, whom lie removed under the Allies threats in August, and that he lias also regained his authority over the telegraphs, posts, and railways, where the French recently exercised control. These are capable of completely changing the situation on the Balkans I rout, as it seems possible > that the Greek army at the capital may he thrown into

war against us. Anyone viewing the situation at short range sees the clear possibility ol the'Greek army attacking the Allies in the rear or at Salonika. Eight batteries instead ol six will be delivered to the Entente. the Greek Government promises the 'tallest protection to the Entente and Nationals, and agrees to‘accord legal guarantee to the arrested \ enizelists. Palace circles State that normal relations with the Entente re-establish ihe pro-Germans. General Donsmanis and Colonel Metaxas have been reappointed heads of the Greek General Stair; ex-Mayor Markonris, chief of the reservists, has resumed the mayoralty. General Corakas, who was superintending the recruiting of Venizelists. has been arrested.

when" will allies take CONTROL? Paris, December 4. The press states that the interior blockade of Greece was proclaimed yesterday, including the seizure of all Jnstoms and the occupation of all important points, it emphasises that the Allies must control Greece. I?enter adds that the tone of the French and British press indicates .hat the offer of eight batteries is wholly insufficient to appease the Allies, who will take, further measures. French patience with King Constantine and his Government is at an ■ml. The Press is now allowed to speak with comparative freedom. The Dublin demand instant, adequate reparation for Idle French blood that has been spilt.

THE TRUTH REVEALED. London, December 5. The Daily Telegraph’s Piraeus correspondent states that King Constantine is quietly mobilising. The indications are that Greece is prepar,ng lor war against the Kiitente, hut -.ccrctlv, in order to gain time lor hobilisation, and also to permit General von .Maekensen to arrive on the, Monastir front, it is useless to mince natters. Regarding the Alliens light he says; ■■ We suffered a complete defeat. Adniral dn Fournet trusted to Constani ne’s promises. 1 he Allied troops walked into a trap and found tliem,elves surrounded before even a shot ■,as bred. The big shells Irom the ,'Veueh fleet alone prevented the an-lihilat-ion of imr Zappeiou force. The .rmistiee provided lor the return of nir nnsoner.s. iliis-the Greeks Itlililed, also for the abolition of all rilled coni mis and the part-nre from Athens of all Allied uniforms.” VENGEANCE ON VENIIELISTS. London. December f. 'File Daily Telegraph’s corresponIcni,, wiring from Piraeus on Sunday, .aid the scones witnessed in Athens ■esterday lesembled the descriptions

Si. f-.ii.rtnob-mew s, ,i t avis (in when 3U,00U Huguenots were massacred). The spectacle was the (worst form o'. anarch) 7 . I uulfk-ered •soldiers and armed civilians, hunted down Venizelisis like dogs, any venjturing in the streets being beaten and I wounded and thrown into prison, mercilessly and piteously. .Matnine'/uns were used in the central squares .and a; rents in the afternoon. About hi iutudivd \ euizelists w ere killed and wounded, and a thousand imprisoned. |he hunt, eontinues to-day. Corres,llsmllenl> were oiiliged to refuge in jllie (’iraeus, which is the only safe jplace (1 recce provides to-day for those belonging to England and Franco, who Cor a century had protected and nursed her. ALLIES TRAPPED LIKE RATS. London, December I. Mi- Jeffries, writing from Greece, 'states that when the troops landed ja Greek colonel promised there would (lie no resistance from the troops. (When the treacherous and unprovoked (fire was poured upon them, half the troops were, withdrawn to the coast, and the other halt held the munition factory until hostilities were ordered to cease. The British marines suffered severely. Owing to tin* magazine entrance lining jambed, the Allied troops were unable to reach cover. Those inside made a hole, and dragged in their comrades singly.

Two French officers wort* killed and forty men were wounded below the Acropolis, wiiere 1 1 1 1 * 1* re noli held the edge of tlie ridge,"but they were compelled to surrender to superior numbers owing to the .lack of ammunition. The night revealed an extraordinary scene. Alen wen* running everywhere seeking cover from the rifle and revolver fusilade. Even under the palace windows many were wounded. The dead were stripped and robbed where they fell.

A Krench chaplain stated that they marched along quietly and had almost reached the ioot of the hill, the transport carts following and the men's rifles being unloaded, as strictly ordered, when suddenly Greek soldiers appeared on both sides of the road and seized the carts. Our commander ordered Ids men to lie down, and sent messengers to tell the following detachments. None returned. Meanwhile the Greek troops approached on every side, till finally the lieutenant ordered the men to charge. The Greeks opened a fusilade. On) sailors fell everywhere. It was a massacre, not war. Those escaping retreated to the railway track, icjoining the main body. Our commander was shot dead.