MENACE TO PEACE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10530, 22 October 1925, Page 5

MENACE TO PEACE

BULCARS ATTACK GREEKS. GRAVE FRONTIER INCIDENT. FIGHTING FOR NINETEEN HOURS (Per Press Association—Copyright.) ATHENS, October 20. A grave incident occurred on the Graeco-Bulgarian frontier. Bulgarians attacked a Greek post near Demihissar, and killed a Greek official. When a Greek captain appeared, carrying a white flag, he was shot dead. An engagement developed and lasted 19 hours. i

Some time ago the Greek Minister in Sofia protested to the Bulgarian Government against the oppression of Greek subjects in Bulgaria, at the hands of Bulgar Irregulars. Although frontier incidents have not been unusual in the past, states a correspondent, the last month witnessed an accentuation of the activities of Bulgar bands within the Greek frontiers coinciding with outrages against Greeks in Bulgaria. The recent murder, of the Greek headman Bodena and the perse-

cution of Greek villagers by Bulgar autonomists is causing panic amongst the Greek colonies, which are hurriedly emigrating to Greece. The present protest draws the attention of the Bulgarian Government to the situation, renews the protest against the incursions of Bulgarian bands into Greek territory, and demands the suppression once for all of the activities of the Comitadjis. The military authorities allege that the Bulgarians are aiming at the autonomy of Macedonia, and state that if the incursions continue they will pursue the bands within Bulgarian territory with ' a view to their suppression.

DEMAND FOR SATISFACTION. ULTIMATUM THE ALTERNATIVE. (Reuter.) (Received This Dav, 11.40 a.m.) ATHENS, October 21. Reports state that the Bulgarian Regulars attacked a Greek outpost at Belles, killing the sentry and a captain. Subsequently they hoisted the white flag and explained that the firing was due to a misunderstanding. The Greek Government, however, despite the Bulgarian expression of fegret and explanations, is determined to throw full light on the incident. It has ordered Greek troops to advance into Bulgaria and occupy the town of Petritch, the headquarters of the Macedonian Bulgarian Committee, with the object of enforcing the Greek demands for satisfaction for the violation of Greek territory and for the punishment of those responsible, also compensation for the relatives of the killed. If tho Greek demands are not promptly met, an ultimatum will be addressed to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Government proposes the formation of a mixed Commission of Greek and Bulgarian officers to investigate the incident on the spot.