GREECE'S KIDNAPPED LEGIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1916, Page 5

GREECE'S KIDNAPPED LEGIONS.

DEJIAN'D FOR THEIR RETt'EX. Ticutcr Service. Beceived Sept. 2], 1 a.m. Athens, Sept. 20. T.lie newspaper Tmbros states timt flreeeo has demanded of (lermany the prompt return of the Kavalla army corps, with its arms and munitions. ON THE DOBRUDJA< EXEMY POSITION CRITICAL. ) ■DECISIVE BATTLE IMMINENT. Received Sept. 21, 1 a.m. Bucharest, Sept. 2C. Skilful Russo-Rcumaniaii strategic movements on the Dobrudja resulted in such a shortening of the front that tlie enemy position is critical. The arrival of reinforcements improved the situation. A battle is imminent. Hitherto only minor actions have taken place, resulting in our favor. Latest reports indicate that General Xfac.kenson is increasingly pressing the Russo-Roumanians twelve miles from the Constanza railway. VENIZELOS INTERVIEWED.

GERMANY A SCARECROW. W The Paris Journal of July 5 contained the following interview with M. Venizeios by M. Andre Tudesq, in the course of which the Greek statesman said:— The Entente Note 'Was a good thing for Greece. It saved us a revolution which we should have had after the war to regain our national liberties. Now \\y are again in right order, the Constitution is given back to us, and unity is reestablished. After the coup d'etat of tlie Protecting Powers gratitude alone remains in every true Greek heart. I have the greatest confidence in the new Government, which might be called a Government of honest men, led by an honest man. The elections will be impartial. Some doubtful officials still remain in office—prefects and subprefects devoted to the old Government —but these acolytes-of-all-work of the late Ministry are dealt with in the fourth paragraph of the Note. They will be driven out for the very honor of my country. German propaganda was momentarily able to corrupt our sentiments and pervert our minds, hut you must not judge Greece by those rare Athenians of superficial character who live in the interested neighborhood of the Court of Headquarters. The Germanophil'es are but a.small number of shamefaebs. By means of sounding publicity, by threatening newspapers, and by poisonous ■propaganda, more than one simple man felt seized ■with terror of Germany. But the clouds have cleared away. Your military successes on the Marnc, in Flanders, Champagne, Verdun, and Salonika were so many antidotes to these poisons. Germany has become n mere scarecrow among us. The people, like myself, have unflinching faith in the Allies. Directly the decree of dissolution was published I wantid to begin the campaign right away. \W'o went right through Greece, old and new, for in these grave times everybody .must be induced to vote. To abstain would be a crime and a neglect of the duties of citizenship. You ask inc a. delicate question: ''Will my party propose as a basis of electoral debate a neutral Greece or an entrance into the war on the side of the Allies?'' I will not put the question so plainly. Do not forget that the electors for the greater part are just coming back from far-off cumps where, armed to the teeth, they have remained nine months awaiting events which have not happened. 1. would say to these men: "All yon who have fought twice against the Turk anil Bulgarian, your eternal enemies, will you agree to become their allies—you who have always been defended, sustained, and guaranteed as a free people by the Allies'; Will you become their enemies':'' These soldier's of yester eve have retained the sentiment.' of houoi and discipline; they will understand. It is said: "Vcnizelos! lie wants war!" But I say my return to power means Greece ranging herself on the side of the Entente. You ask me if 1 have a presentiment of total or partial victory. I do not hesitate to give my forecast, and it is the absolute success of the. Liberal party. We shall be returned to the Chainbei by an increased majority.