STILL INTACT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 October 1940, Page 6

STILL INTACT

GREEK FRONTIER LINES i — ACCORDING TO ATHENS COMMUNIQUE. THE ATTITUDE OF TURKEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. October 29. A second Greek communique says: “Forces of varying strength all day yesterday attacked our positions on the frontier lines in successive waves, but the positions were held. Enemy planes attacked military objectives unsuccessfully. Two women were killed in a vilage in an Epirus district.” A flood of telegrams to Athens from Crete and all parts of Greece has assured General Metaxas of the people's determination to fight to the death. Greece's kilted troops are in action against the Italians. The British United Press Belgrade correspondent says the Albanian [revolt is spreading. Apparently it is well organised.

. It is officially stated in Istanbul that no request for Turkish aid has been n received from Greece. The Turkish :i Parliament is reassembling on Novemi ber 1 .It is officially stated that Turkey is continuing preparations for celebrations of the seventh anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Hundreds of young Greeks flocked to c their Consulate at Istanbul seeking re--1 patriation to join the Army. Six hundred packed into the first train across the frontier. The British United Press Istanbul , correspondent says the Turks will aid Greece if General Metaxas puts up the 5 semblance of a fight. Turkey is prepared to meet any threat to her own interests, regardless of the outcome of the situation in Greece. REPORTS DENIED c — NO BRITISH LANDINGS. SOME OUTPOSTS ABANDONED 3 BY GREEKS. 1 3 (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) > LONDON, October 29. There is no truth in reports that , British fortes have landed in > Cephalonia, Crete or Salonika. It , is authoritatively stated in London ; that some advanced Greek outposts I have fallen back to the first line of defence. It is also stated that Britain is giving military assistance in the widest sense of the term. An Italian communique states: “Troops stationed in Albania crossed the Greek frontier at various points at [ dawn on Monday. The Air Force repeatedly attacked many military objectives. despite adverse weather, and) bombed docks and warehouses in I Patras, causing several fires. It also raided installations at the Corinth Canal, the naval base of Prevesa and the aerodrome of Tortio, near Athens.” The Greek is convinced of victory'and has prominently displayed reports of British assistance. The Hungarian Foreign Office journal says the British policy of giving small nations a guarantee without efficient help is responsible for Greece’s fate. A rapid Italian success is expected. The Yugoslav Government's cautious reserve does not appear to express public opinion, which generally applauds the Greek decision. Yugoslavia's Third Army, based on Southern Yugoslavia, is standing by, completely prepared. AID GLADLY GIVEN FIRST LORD'S DECLARATION. (British, Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, October 29. In reference to the Italian assault upon Greece, and Britain's promise of all the aid in her power to this latest

victim of the Axis Powers’ policy of premeditated aggression, in a ■ speech in London today, the First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr A. V. Alexander) said: “So far. as is possible and within our power, every help which the Royal Navy can give to Greece will be gladly) rendered —it has already begun.” STATE OF WAR PROCLAIMED IN AI,BANIAN PROVINCES. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) TIRANA, October 29. A decree declares a state of war in the seven provinces adjoining the Greek frontier. MORE GERMAN TROOPS ARRIVALS IN RUMANIA. REPORTED TO BE GOING TO MOLDAVIA. (Received This Day, 11.55 a.m.) BUCHAREST. October 29. A further 6000 German troops and 2000 horses arrived here at the weekend. They are reported to be moving to Moldavia. Five persons were killed and 45 injured when two transports collided near Ploesti.

TURKISH ACTION MAY DEPEND ON POLICY OF BULGARIA. GREEK HIGH COMMAND SATISFIED. (Received This Day, 12.45 pm.) LONDON. October 29. Although the news from North Greece is still very< scanty, the Greek High Command is satisfied with the progress of the early operations. There were no morning air raid alarms in Athens, where the inhabitants are waiting for the first news of the arrival of British aid. Greek efforts to mobilise Balkan support have met with limited success and officials believe that Turkey is prepared to neutralise the Bulgarians and to allow the Greek army to be used exclusively against Italy. There is not the slightest indication that Bulgaria intends to depart from her neutrality, but if Bulgaria, under external pressure, abandons her neutrality, Turkey, it is understood, will actively support Greece. The Turks meantime tire believed to be prepared to supply Greece with whatever material aid is possible. Messages indicating lliul the Yugoslav-

ian public supports Greece’s resistance are displayed in the Greek Press and are helping to increase the Greeks' con-' fidence in their defensive ability. General Metaxas, driving through the city, received a tumultuous ovation from all classes. Crowds assembled 1 outside the British Legation, cheering : and waving Greek flags and Union Jacks. Twenty interned British airmen, who were released, were carried shoulder-high through the streets of Athens. The appearance of Athens strongly reflects the Government’s military -determination. Troops in full kit marched off to the front. Mountain.l guns, drawn by mules, were noticeable among the equipment. Air raid wardens, wearing tin hats, are on duty and shop windows are criss-crossed with tape. Cellars have been converted into shelters. British and American citizens are proposing to create a Greek international brigade. The Egyptian Government is facilitating the departure of Greeks wishing to go to Greece. The President of the Greek community in Cairo has telegraphed to General Metaxas placing lives and wealth at the disposal of the Government. i

ALBANIAN REVOLT REPORTED STILL SPREADING. GOVERNMENT BUILDING BOMBED. (Received This Day, 1 Z 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, October 29. A Belgrade message says unconfirmed reports from the frontier state that bombs exploded in the local Government headquarters at Vlona and that the revolt in Albania is spreading.

ITALY’S ACTION ANTICIPATED IN EGYPT. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) T.ONDON. October 29. According to the Associated Press of Great. Britain's Cairo correspondent Englishmen and Greeks in Egypt knew a week before the ultimatum that Italy had planned to attack Greece and steps to meet the offensive were immediately placed under way.