GREECE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1917, Page 5

GREECE.

POSITION CRITICAL. •CONSTANTJNE PLAYING FOR TIME. TO ALLOW HIM JOINING THE GERMAN-BULGARS. United Service. Received Jan. 2. S p.m. London, Jan. 1. The position in Greece is rapidly becoming most serious. Allied Ministers are still aboard the warships. King Constantino is endeavoring to evade the. Allies' questions regarding the movements of the troops from Thcssalj, obviously hoping that the German-Bulgar offensive against General Sarrail will break through nad establish connection with the Greek army, and bring food supplies. Meanwhile the blockade is inexorably tightening the Grecians' belts. The Venizelists are languishing in prison, their fate being .unknown. The pro-Germans are paramount throughout Old Greece. It is presumed that Baron Scheiick left ample funds. He is known to have received £500,000 shortly before his flight. A strong Allied flotilla has arrived in the Gulf of Corinth. ■ The Matin states that the Allies have notified Greece that they intend landing troops at Ttea and using the railways at Salonika to prevent the enemy submarining transports.

ITALY ENDORSES ALLIES' NOTE. I ISLANDS THROW OFF ALLEGIANCE. Received Jan. 2. 5.30 p.m. London, Jan. 2. Reuter's Athens correspondent states that Italy has presented a 'Note to the Government, endorsing that of the Triple Entente. The islands of Peara and Imbros have thrown off their allegiance to King Constantine. PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED. BRITISH AGENT APPOINTED. Received Jan. 2, 8.40 p.m. London, Jan. 1. Official. —Earl Granville has been appointed as the British Government's representative to M. Venizelos' provisional 'Government at Salonika, with the title of Diplomatic Agent. BLOCKADE TO BE MAINTAINED. Athens, Jan. 1. The Entente's Note demands that the artillery camp and the whole of the Greek army, except sufficient to maintain order, shill be transferred to Pelopennesus, also an apology for events of December I and 2, liberation of imprisoned Venizelists, an indemnity for innocent victims, the degradation of the ■Generals responsible for the disturbance, and restoration of Allied control. The Allies undertake to prevent Nationals crossing the, neutral zone. The blockade will be maintained until satisfaction is obtained.