GREECE READY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 7

GREECE READY

PREPARED FOR INVASION APPEAL TO HITLER ITALIANS CONCENTRATING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 22, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, August 21 The Athens correspondent of the American Press reports that, reacting to the Italian concentrations on the Albanian border, Greece has called up a new military class and cancelled all military leave. In connection with these measures officials declared that Greece will not be taken by surprise if it is invaded. It is reported in Athens that General Metaxas appealed to Hitler, who warned him of the dangers of the disruption of peace in Southeastern Europe. It is emphasised that the appeal does not indicate that Greece is abandoning the British guarantee, which the Axis demanded. A delegation headed by the Governor of the Bank of Greece, including foreign affairs and economics officials, is going to Berlin on August 22. “Trouble Ahead” Says Rome Tension is rising in Athens since reports that Italian mobile divisions are concentrating on the AlbanianGreek frontier. The Soviet air attache has conferred with the Greek general staff. The Rome wireless has quoted at length from an article in the semiofficial Albanian newspaper Tomori in which it is stated that the Albanians are watching suspicious activities by the Greek authorities in the border provinces.

The wireless added that these activities are a “positive indication of trouble ahead.”