GREECE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 18 June 1917, Page 5

GREECE.

CONSTANTINE’S ABDICATION,

DRAMATIC AND TEARFUL SCENES "DON'T GO; WE WANT OUR KING! " Received 9.10 a.m. LONDON, June 17. Correspondents' messages from Athens previously censored disclose dramatic scenes at the palace when the Entente's ultimatum arrived. The Crown Prince said little. Constantino, with tears in his eyes, addressing Prince Alexander, who wept, said: "The Allied Powers have permitted me to choose a successor between you and your brothers. You will succeed me." Constantino's friends, hearing the news, frantically drove to the palace in motors, passed the distaught sentries, at the courtyard was quickly filled with agitated men and sobbing women crying repeatedly: "The King abdicates!" Church bells commenced tolling and demonstrators shouted, "Don't go!" demanded to see Constantine.,

Prince Nicholas received a deputation and explained the developments. He said: ‘'The King embraces you, and bids you accept the bitter cup without resentments. ’ 1

"Crowds hailed the departing monarch with: "We don't want you to go; we want out King!" M Vcnizelos sent a message to M. Eibot thanking him for their protecting power, saying Greece had entered upon a new era, and would march resolutely in the path of honour, duty, and its own national traditions. CONSTANTINE'S TREACHERY EXPOSED. LONDON, June IG. Dr.. Dillion., in (the "Daily ! iTelegraph, " explaining the expedition to Salonika, says that the Greco-Serbian treaty stipulated that Serbia must contribute 150,000 men if she wanted Greece's co-operation. M. Venizelos asked England and Trance to .supply the deficiency. Both consented and forthwith' troops were despatched, but King Constantino dismissed Vcnizelos from office, saying he would be bound by treaty.

FRENCH ADVANCE .PROCEEDING.

LONDON, June 17,

French Eastern communique:— Our infantry occupied Kalambaka Trikala. The advance southward continues without hitch. The inhabitants of Larissa enthusiastically adhered to Venizelos.

THE FINAL SCENES.

OFFERED TO GIVE UP HIS

MINISTERS,

JOURNART’S FIRM STAND

Received 9.45,

LONDON, June 17

Mr. Jeffries, the Times’ correspondent,' states that during the closing •hours of Constantine’s regime, M. Journart encountered all sorts of proGerman manoeuvres. Shoals of telegrams were despatched declaring any attempt to remove Constantine would precipitate a civil war, and deluge Greece in blood. M. Jounart remained unmoved; then the Royal clique attempted to compromise by offering to hand over Gounaris, Dousmanis, and Metaxas, instead of Constantine. M. Jounart had a long interview with Zaimis, and said the Allies’ demands were irrevocable. Zaimis departed to the palace and told the King his fate. The King subsequently held a Crown Council, consisting of nine e' Prime Ministers. He read aloud the fateful words demanding his abdication. Gounaris exclaimed: "It is impossible!” Constantine stopped him, saying, “I have decided to accept.” The Crown Councillors then left the palace agitated. Skouloudis collapsed outside, and was carried to a motor car. Subsequently Constantine lunched with the Royal Family, and afterwards announced he had abdicated and the Crown Prince was forced to renounce his rights. The Queen burst into tears, and fell on the couch speechless. The Princesses were also overcome.

The German Press states, on the authority of the Greek Legation at Berne, that Constantine does not inteild to renounce the throne abdication merely temporary, until circumstances permit his resumption. ATHENS, June 17.

Constantine has finally left Greek territory. The Military'Club has been closed and a proclamation issued that all persons tampering with military telegraphs or telephone wires will be shot. Further troops have been landed at Piraeus, The navigation of Greek waters and the traffic on railways is resuming, normal conditions being re-estab-lished.

AN ALLIED PROCLAMATION.

ANXIOUS TO SAVE A BRAVE LITTLE LAND. AGAINjST ITS HEREDITARY ENEMIES. Received 9.10. BERNE, June 17. It is rumoured in German official circles that ex-King Constantine proceeds to Germany via Switzerland for the purpose of leading an expedition againts the Allies, via Bulgaria. ATHENS, June 17. M. Jounart, in a proclamation to the Greeks, states that France, Britain, and Russia, desiring the independence and prosperity of Greece, intend to defend the brave little land which they liberated against the united efforts of the Turks, Bulgarians, and Germans. They intend to put an end to and checkmate the manoeuvres of their hereditary enemies and prevent violations of the constitutions and intrigues leading to the massacre of the Allies' soldiers in last December. The protecting Powers assure the constitutional progress of the country to which the late King George was scrupulously faithful, but which Constantine had ceased to respect. The Allies appeal to your good sense and patriotism, but they will pitilessly repress any reprisals against the Greeks of any party, and will not tolerate a breach of peace, but will safeguard all lives and property. They will not force upon the Greeks a general mobilisation.

BRITISH FOOD PROBLEM

THE NEW FOOD CONTROLLER. SPECULATION IN FOOD TO BE STOPPED. Received 9.30. LONDON, June 17. Newspapers predict that Lord Rhondda will act decisively in dealing with the food problem. He is in entire agreement with Mr Lloyd George.' who realises that Labour is saturated with suspicion that the masses are.being exploited by profiteers. It is believed that Government decided that speculation in food, especially in meat must be peremptorily stopped. > SPANISH AFFAIRS. ' j THE SPANISH CRISIS. THE ARMY DOMINANT. LONDON, June 16.

The "Daily Express" states that a Yery grave crisis has arisen in Spain. It is impossible to foresee the end. The army ; ha-s obtained complete dominance, demanding Tefornis tabulated by military committees of defence, apparently working on soldiers' linos. Seupr Datos is as powerless as Senor Eomanoes to obtain any modification of the army's demands. Therefore constitutional Government was suspended, the army being the ultimate abiter, in the crisis, which is partly anti-dynastic, Meanwhile, Spain is honey-combed with German spies and agents endeavouring ot turn the crisis to German advantage. Received 10.15 a.m. MADRID, June 17. Regarding the probability of a railway strike, Signor Dato, the Spanish Premier, states that it is to everybody's interest that calmness should reign at the present moment. Workmen should realise that perturbations were harmful to them as workers and those not interested in provoking agitation. Many have confidence in the Government ,whose social policy was to promote the harmony of capital and labour.

The Spanish Ambassador in London, has arrived at Madrid, and conferred with the Minister of State.