GREECE ON GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1940, Page 6

GREECE ON GUARD

WILL DEFEND HER FREEDOM DECLARATION BY GENERAL METAXAS. CONFERENCE WITH KING. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 23. The Belgrade (Yugoslavia) radio reports General Metaxas as saying after a meeting of the Greek Cabinet: “Greece will defend her freedom at any price.” A message from Athens states that General Metaxas and his defence chiefs held a conference with the King at the Foreign Office. The conference lasted for over an hour, and it is understood that reported new Italian concentrations on the Albanian frontier were discussed. FASCIST DENIAL NO ULTIMATUM PRESENTED. The report that Italy had presented an ultimatum to Greece is denied by Fascist quarters in Rome, Daventry reports. This is supported by agency messages from Greece. A Press Association message from London on Thursday read:— The "Daily Telegraph” says that reports from a usually reliable source reaching Belgrade tonight state that Italy has given Greece 24 hours in which to renounce the British guarantee of help in the event of attack. Hostilities will follow if Greece refuses. General Metaxas has informed the British Minister at Athens. Sir Charles Palairet, that the Greek army is loyal and that Turkish support seems assured.

OPINION IN LONDON NO FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN SITUATION. ATTITUDE OF GREECE COMMENDED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 23. Developments in Greece are being closely studied in London. There is no indication, however, that the situation has undergone any fundamental change. There is no confirmation,here that Italy has given a twenty-four hour ultimatum, calling upon Greece to renounce the British guarantee, and emphatic denials have been made both in Rome and Athens. Another report categorically denied in London is that British forces have occupied the islands of Crete and Corfu. This report no doubt originated in Italian propaganda. Since the outbreak of war Greece has maintained strict neutrality and it is significant of Greece's determination to maintain friendly relations with her neighbours that this attitude has been preserved throughout the .'recent period of tension provoked by the sinking of a Greek mine-laying cruiser and the bombing, by Italians, of two destroyers. Meanwhile threats continue, and a fierce anti-Greek campaign in the Italian Press, based on the flimsiest pretext, was renewed yesterday, after a brief lull.

The British attitude towards developments in Greece has undergone no change and the Government stands firmly by its obligations under the guarantee which was contained in Mr Neville Chamberlain’s statement in the House of Commons on April 13, 1939, that: “In the event of any action being taken which clearly threatens Greece's independence and which the Greek Government considers it vital to resist with its national forces, the British Government would feel bound at once to lend the Greek Government all the support in its power.” Other Balkan powers have maintained a correct attitude during the critical period, and in London the prompt concession by Rumania to the Bulgarian claim on the Southern Dobruja is regarded as offering a valuable contribution towards the maintenance of peace in the Balkans. “The Times” says: “This quick result reflects credit on the diplomacy of both countries. With a real grievance of twenty-seven years' standing removed. the internal stability of the Balkans should be strengthened.”

ITALIAN THREAP

WILL INVADE GREECE IF BRITAIN OCCUPIES. ISLANDS. (Received This Day. 10.55 a.m.) ROME, August 23. A Fascist official said: “Italy will invade Greece if the British occupy any Greek Islands.” In reference to Egypt, he said: "Italy is fighting the British and not the Egyptians.” In denying that an ultimatum had been sent to Greece, the Stefani Agency said: “It is pointed out that the authors of this fantastic piece of news lost sight of the fact that the British guarantee is no longer of any value, and therefore cannot be made the object of an ultimatum.” SPECIALIST TROOPS (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) ATHENS. August 23. Special categories of searchlight, machine-gun and mechanised units were called up today for a month's training. Columns of Italian mountain troops are reported to be occupying strategic passes on the Albania-Greek border. “ANOTHER MURDER” ALLEGED BY ITALIANS. (Received This Day. 10.55 a.m.) ROME. August 23. The official radio stated that the Greek authorities had committed another murder in Albania. The Albania newspaper “Tomori” reveals that a man was found hanged on a tree. The death was described as suicide, but further investigation disclosed information which changed the picture.