MR EDEN IN GREECE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21364, 7 March 1941, Page 5

MR EDEN IN GREECE

VITAL CONFERENCES WITH LEADERS ADMIRATION FOR HEROIC RESISTANCE EFFORTS TO PREVENT EXTENSION OF WAR (Official Wireless) (Received March 7, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, March 6 A communique reviewing the results of the visit to Greece of Mr Anthony Eden and Sir John Dill, issued at Athens, recalls that they arrived on March 2 and were received by the King and the President of the Council, with each of whom they conferred at considerable length. Mr Eden expressed admiration at the heroic resistance offered by Greece and the victories of her army. On his side, M. Korizis seized the opportunity to renew the expressions of deep gratitude felt by the Greek Government and people for the valuable help given by the British in the struggle against Italy. Representatives of the two Governments then proceeded to examine with care the situation in the Balkans, where all their efforts are concentrated to prevent any extension of the war. They found themselves in “complete agreement in regard to all aspects of the situation. in a message to the Greek people Mr Eden said: Sir John Dill and myself are happy to have been the guests of Greece at this eventful moment. Like all Englishmen, we have for many months watched with admiration the heroic resistance of the Greeks. Now we have seen for ourselves the spirit of resolution animating every man and woman in the country.”

BRITAIN’S STAND STRONG NOTE TO BULGARIA RELATIONS BROKEN OFF LIVE TO REGRET DECISION (OCnclal Wireless) (Received March 7, noon) RUGBY, March 6 In the House of Commons, in an- t nouncing the breaking oft of diplo- j matic relations with Bulgaria, Mr R. A. Butler said the British Gov- 1 ernment had no doubt that Bulgaria ( would live to regret her decision. j The Note that Mr G. Rendel, Blit- > ish Minister, presented to the Bulgarian Government made it clear that < I the presence of an ever-growing force I of German troops in Bulgarian ter- ' ritory, the object of which could only i be to menace, and if necessary attack, Britain’s ally, Greece, combined with the growing subservence of the Bulgarian Government to German policy, were, in the opinion of the British Government, incompatible with the maintenance of British ! diplomatic representation in Bulgaria. It also stated that the British Government could only conclude, from 1 the facilities given by the Bulgarian Government to the German moves, i that that Government, “so far from desiring to maintain neutrality in the present conflict, is now prepared actively to co-operate with Ger- | many.” ! STORY NOT BELIEVED j ALLEGED SOVIET DEMANDS MORE NAZI PROPAGANDA (Official Wlreleaa) (Received March 7, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, March 6 There is no confirmation in London of the reported demands by Russia for the cession of Rumanian Black Sea ports, nor is there any evidence of the currency of such reports in the press. In authoritative quarters here it is considered unlikely that the reports are true and it is suggested that their origin may be German and that they might have been put out to serve the aims of German propaganda by suggesting that the Balkans have something to fear from Russia from L which Germany would protect them. TRADE DEVELOPMENT GERMANY AND YUGOSLAVIA SPEECH BY MINISTER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-M) (Received March 7, 12.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 6 Speaking at the Leipzig Fair, the Yugoslav Minister of Trade said there was no parallel in history of the speed with which the relations of two countries had developed as in the case of Yugoslavia and Germany, where competent circles hoped that relations would not only be maintained but extended. WALES BOMBED DAMAGE TO BUILDINGS (United press Assn.—Lice. Tel. copyright) LONDON, March 6 A message said three South Wales towns were raided on Tuesday night, one raid being heavy and lasting several hours. Showers of incendiary and high explosive bombs were A dropped. A public library, swimming bath, two schools and a church were severely damaged, and also dwelling houses and business premises.

GREEK SUCCESSES ! 1 c ] CAPTURE OF TANKS ( t t ENEMY ARTILLERY SILENCED 1 i I MUCH DAMAGE TO LINES | 1 (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) \ ATHENS, March 5 \ The Greeks today were again J successful in local actions in Alba*nia. Hundreds of Italians attempting to strengthen fortifications on the central front were caught by artillery crossfire. Scores were killed by their own shells. Greek artillery caused serious damage to the Italian lines at several points on the front. Enemy artillery was silenced and several of their guns were destroyed, together with t ammunition. i “ Successful operations in the i central sector resulted in the destruc- i tion of one tank and the capture of ] two,” said an earlier communique. “We took 160 men and five officers 1 prisoner. Many automatic rifles, i three anti-tank guns and three anti- ’ aircraft guns were also taken.” The Greek radio said the Italians * have not taken the initiative on any part of the front. The Times Athens correspondent says the arrival of spring and the , drying up of water-logged aero- ] dromes has given the Royal Air ] Force a chance of going fully into ; action. Reinforcement of Hurricanes recently arrived and more lighter- : bombers are due later. 1 Italian Transport Sunk The sinking of an Italian transport by a Greek submarine is announced in an Athens communique. Towards midnight on February 23 a submarine spotted an enemy con- 1 voy of two large transports, escorted by troop destroyers, in the Adriatic. The submarine attacked with great courage and coolness and succeeded in destroying one of the transports. BRITISH ADVANCE • l THE FIGHTING IN AFRICA ITALIANS WITHDRAWING (Unlterr Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 7,2 p.m.) LONDON, March 6 A Cairo communique states: In Libya forward elements of our advanced forces have again driven off detachments of enemy armoured fighting vehicles west of Ageila. In Abyssinia the patriot forces continue to harass and inflict substantial casualties on the withdrawing Italians. In Italian Somaliland our troops have occupied Fer-Fer, where the advance is continuing. In all other areas the operations are progressing satisfactorily. So far the number of prisoner taken exceeds 10,000. CLAIMS BY ENEMY STRONG COUNTER-ATTACKS AIR RAID ON MALTA (United Press Assn. —pi<c. *rei. Copyright) (Received March 7, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 6 An Italian communique states: Our troops in the Keren sector counterattacked forces which were attempting to filter through Italian lines at night and captured a number of prisoners. The enemy carried out air raids on various localities in Eritrea. There , j was only slight damage and no casualties. J I A German communique states: ’ j Bombers attacked Malta with great .) success. Reconnaissance planes , bombed military installations at , I Portsmouth, hitting barracks. ; A determined defence frustrated an ; | attempt by enemy planes to penetrate [Northern France.