PRESSURE KEPT UP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1940, Page 5

PRESSURE KEPT UP

REPORT BY THE GREEK HIGH COMMAND NEW STRATEGIC POSITIONS. OCCUPIED. THREAT TO VALONA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 9/ While the people of' Athens are celebrating the fall of Argyrokastron, which was officially announced yesterday, victorious Greek troops are continuing their advance. The latest Greek communique says: “Our troops are continuing aggressive actions on various parts of the front, resulting in the occupation of important new strategic positions on Albanian soil.” It is authoritatively stated in Athens that the Greeks have advanced beyond Delvino in the coastal area and beyond Prement on the central front in a wide sweep, with the object of converging on Valona. The Greeks are approaching nearer to Elbasan on the northern sector. ■ Reuter’s correspondent in Athens states, according to a broadcast, that one-seventh of Albanian territory and one-quarter of the population of the country have now been set free. GREEK RESERVES DENIAL OF ITALIAN LIES. ATHENS, December 8. Well-informed people describe as a tissue of lies Italian allegations that the Greeks have demanded the dispatch of British troops to assist in Albania. They also deny a report tha.t Greece has concentrated all her reserves on the Albanian front.

ITALIAN PERFIDY PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK ON GREECE. REVELATIONS IN WHITE BOOK. LONDON, December 8. An Athens message says that the White Book includes photostat copies of two documents issued to officers on the Albanian frontier days before the ultimatum to Greece. One, from the commander of the now decimated. Third Alpine Division, was issued six days before the Italian Minister gave a dinner in Athens at which the Greek and Italian flags were fraternally intertwined. This document stated that the commanders of the Sixth and Ninth Alpine Regiments must open outlets across the frontier. “My intention is to reach the Greek positions without the frontier posts giving an alarm,” it stated. “You must, therefore, eliminate the sentinels, cut the telephone lines, occupy the Greek outposts and capture their garrisons.” DUCE’S PREDICAMENT EMPHASISED BY RED ARMY PAPER. LONDON, December 8. In Moscow today the Red Army organ “Red Star” discusses Italy’s difficulties of transporting troops from Albania. The paper notes that the British Navy has isolated the Dodecanese Islands, and says that Mussolini’s predicament is extreme.