GREECE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 December 1916, Page 5

GREECE.

I | ALLIES' DEMANDS REFUSED. | DISORDERLY RESERVISTS Athens, Dec. 1. it is reported that the Government has finally refused Admiral de Fournet's demands. A dangerous reservist element seems determined upon creating serious (jisorder. The Government at midnight on Thursday issued a communique enjoining order and calmness. An hour later two great crowds assembled in the centre of tho city. One outside the Venizelist newspaper Etlmiki fired fifty shots to the consternation of the citizens, The patrols did not interfere. Athens, Dec. 2. In reply to Admiral du 'Fournet's threat to land troops, failing compliance with tho Allies' demands, the Government has definitely refused to'surrender the guns or arms. A PROVISIONAL SURRENDER. EXCITING SCENES. LIVELY FUSILADES. Received Dec. 3, 5.15 p.m. ' Athens, Dec. 2. The King has agreed to surrender six batteries of mountain guns on Admiral di; 'Ponrnet agreeing immediately to withdraw all troops, except a guard of 300 at Zapperon. The arrangements have been referred to the Entente Governments. Exciting scenes occurred before the announcement of the King's surrender. Greek troops attempted to prevent, the Allies passing certain points, and collisions occurred. Rilie-firing ensued, and continued all the afternoon. There was also a lively fnsilade between the Rovjslists and Venizelists. Guns boomed at intervals, said to he the French bombarding the hill behind the Palace. A great panic prevailed. ALLIED TROOPS LAND. WITHOUT INCIDENT. VENIZELISTS THREATENED 13 "i GERMANY. Received Dec. 2, 7.40 p.m London, Dec. 1. A wireless message states that a detachment of Allied troops disembarked at the Piraeus at 3 o'clock in the mornfug, composed of English, French, and Italian troops, without incident. The Government requisitioned the University and the Polytechnic Institute for the Greek naval detachments in order to forestall their occupation by the Allied forces. Zurich, Dec. 2. The Frankfurter Zeitung publishes a sc-mi-ollirial statement that if the Venizelist-; participate in the lighting, the German authorities have decided that they be treated as rebels against their King. P'RING BEGINS. PANIC IN ATHENS. GREEKS GETTING BEHIND OUR ARMIES Rome, Dec. 2. Correspondents at Athens telegraph that the Greek army is marching north, and taking their guns. The sudden movement is causing intense anxiety. London, Dec. I. Mr. Jeffries, wiring from Athens, states that firing began near the Thesian station, the terminus of the Piraeus line, between French sailors and the Greek troops. The city is in a state of panic. The streets and shops are closed. Two French cruisers have entered Phaleron. The city is full of reservists. An earlier message says that Greek forces are marching south from Thessaly, Phthiotis, and Chains in the lightest order, but the Athens correspondent of the C'orriere Delia Sera says that the Greek army is marching northwards, fully equipped, towards the rear of the Allied army. THE FIRST SHOTS, GREAT EXCITEMENT CAUSED. Australian Cable Association Received Dec. 3. 5.a p.m. ■London, Dec. 2. The Daily Mail's Athens correspondent states that the King's definite refusal to hand over the guns was announced early on Friday morning, and that the first shots fired in the forenoon were those on the station close to the Acropolis. Crcwds were soon rushing into the streets, and the fchop3 were shutting up. Shortly afterwards a messenger arrived at tho British Legation stating that firing had occurred on the slopes of the Acropolis, between French sailors and Greek reservists. DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. INHABITANTS FLEE TO THE ■PLAINS. Received Dec. 3, 11.30 p.m. Athens. Dec. During the disembarkation the railway southward of the city was cut. Firing began at 10.30 in the morning at the engineers' barracks. Simultiuieou-ly firing was heard on the line ironi the Hill of Mars to the station. It was severe at times, especially at the Zappeion, where the French detachment was quartered. There was fighting also on the Stadion side of the hill, between the Greeks and the Italians, who oci-u----pied cottages near the road, the inhabitants taking refuge on the plains. At Attica, Phaleron, and other coastal places there were several distinct fights, and also on the outskirts of the city. The casualties »v# unknown. <

j MANY KILLED AND WOUNDED.

ATIIEXS BOMBARDED. j CONSTANTINE SUCCUMBS. . AN ARMISTICE SIGNED | leceived Dec. 3, 11.10 p.m, London, Deo. 3. The Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent reports that many were killed and wounded at the Zaypeion building. The Greeks on the Acropolis slopes took prisoner thirty French. In the afternoon the fleet bombarded the positions on the southern hills, and two shells fell in the centre of the city. It i.- reported that King Constantine lias agreed to hand over six batteries. The Anglo-French Ministers visited the •Palace, in the evening;. An armistice was then signed, pending a,further eonferH'ce between the Crown and Council. The Allied Ministers, under Greek escort, visited the Zuppeion buildings, and conferred with the commander. It is reported that the Creek casualties were 100.