ON THE BALKAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 April 1918, Page 3

ON THE BALKAN FRONT.

NO QUESTION OP ALLIES RETIRING. Speaking at the official dinner given on January 28 by the Hellenic Governmet in honour of General Guillaumat, Commanderin-Chief of the allied forces in Salonika. M. Venizelos: The Mace-donian w Jront is not only tined to serve its purpose in the general plans of the grand alliance, but constitutes for Greece itself an interest of the very first importance. Henceforth this front creates a solid barrier against invasion, in addition to shattering the dreams of the enemy. It will also serve later on as the point of departure for vigorous action as a result of which the Hellenic army will, with the assistance of its valiant allies, liberate its invaded nanational territory, assist in the restoration of the Servian nation, drive back the enemy to within his own borders, and guarantee the security of its neighbours. We can thus hope to secure for our unhappy fellow-country-men, who have' been so cruelly tried by Ottoman barbarism, conditions of J life in conformity with the noble ideal I pursued by our powerful allies. This great task the Greek people in arms will soon be ready to take in hand under your supreme direction. General Guillaumat, in reply, said: Nothing is more certain than that on this front, as on the other allied fronts there can be no question of retiring. Far too numerous are the historical instances of your victorious resistance to the invader and far too numerous are the altars which, have been raised by yourselves to victory for any of us not to have complete confidence in that victory -which we now seek to achieve, that of right and justice, securing not. only for oppressed peoples their independence, but assuring to them, as far as possible, the realisation of their national aspiration We also shall one day raise altars to the victory of the allies.