Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1940. THE INVASION OF GREECE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 16, 30 October 1940, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1940. THE INVASION OF GREECE.

Though the world has been prepared since August for the invasion of Greece the actual fact will arouse detestation as a crime against an inoffensive people, whose fervid love of liberty has caused them to oppose the dictators who seek dominance of Europe. The fault committed by the Prime Minister, General Metaxas, who is supported by the whole nation, was that he refused to renounce the British guarantee or to admit the trumped-up claims of Albania to the Greek province of Epirus. The pressure on Greece has been increased since Germany became a Balkan power by her occupation of Rumania. The latter move placed Hitler in .a position to give close support to Bulgaria in her claims for a corridor to the Aegean Sea. Dedeagach, Bulgaria’s old p'ort, is only forty miles from her present frontier, and any considerable advance would mean the cutting of land , communications between Greece and Turkey and the main railway, Athens-Istanbul. This is one of the factors that determined Hitler’s policy in regard to Bulgaria. The object of the attack on Greece is to obtain possession of certain islands which would provide bases from which Italian aircraft could operate against the British forces in the Middle East and it is significant and heartening that the Royal Navy has not lost any time in securing important centres. Britain is honourably discharging her obligations under the guarantee given to Greece, but the main assistance must be naval. Much 7 will depend on the attitude of Turkey, which is vitally concerned with the preservation of die existing frontier. She has an understanding with Britain, but the extent to which she is committed is not certain. It may be that the Axis Powers plan a drive through Asia Minor, in which case Turkey would certainly be involved. The object of such a drive would be to compel the British to fight on two fronts. A consideration that would weigh with Turkey is her relation with the Soviet. If she is assured of security in that direction she may consider it in her interests to stem the advance of the dictators, which endangers her southern borders. Thus, also, Russia, which has long been directly concerned in Balkan affairs, may play a most i important part in the course of events in the near future.