KITCHENER CONSULTS WITH CONSTANTINE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 278, 22 November 1915, Page 5

KITCHENER CONSULTS WITH CONSTANTINE.

WARMLY CHEERED BY THE POPULACE. NEUTRAL ATTITUDE IF ALLIES RETREAT INTO GREECE. GUARANTEES THAT NO ATTEMPT TO DISARM WILL BE MADE LONDON, November 21. Earl Kitchener arrived at Athens on Saturday morning, and lunched at the British Legation. In the afternoon King Coustantine granted Earl Kitchener and Sir Francis Elliot an audience, which lasted for upwards of an hour. The British leader was loudly cheered on leaving the palace. Earl Kitchener visited the Greek Premier, M. Scouloudis, with whom ho conversed for two hours. A largo crowd of people heartily cheered Earl Kitchener. * Earl Kitchener's presence in Athens has somewhat allayed the anxiety that was aroused by the announcement that the Allies were determined to bring pressure to bear on Greece. This announcement caused indignation in official circles, in which it is declared that the Oovernment ia seeking a solution of the situation that will be satisfactory to the Powers and compatible with Greece's dignity. GERMAN REPORT OF ULTIMATXTM TTNTRUE. Messages from Athens do not confirm the report from German sources that the Allies have delivered an ultimatum to Greece, but correspondents' ipessages tend to give credence to a suggestion that important diplomatic developments may immediately result in a change in the present critical situation. Correspondents assert that there is reason to expect an important change within forty-e:grit hours. All news of military value, including the dispositions of the Allies' naval forces, last reported to be in an imposing array at Salonika, is now rigorously suppressed. There are indications that the Serbians are hard pressed in the Monastir region, and are falling back on the Greek frontier, which is heavily guarded. It is the general expectation that the Serbians will not be disarmed. TIME FOR GREECE TO MAKE A DECISION. Earl Kitchener's presence is a source of immense strength, and is calculated to impress King Constantino that the time has come to abandon his attitude of indecision. Router's Malta correspondent says-itpis understood thnt'Greece's consent to allow the withdrawal of Anglo-l'Yench and Serbian troops into Greece, if occasion arises, does not satisfy the Allies, as it is without sufficient guarantees. There are indications that the Allies demand immediate intervention or the immediate demobilisation of the Greek Army. The Paris newspaper "Petit Journal" says the Allies are going to taka the guarantees they deem requisite in connection with Greece's consent, in order to ensure complete security of the troops, and of the operations in the Balkans. REPORTED ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL BLOCKADE. The Exchange Telegram Company's correspondent states that the Athens newspapers have published a British Legation communique stating that the Entente has declared an economic and commercial blockade of Greece. The communique created a deep impression in all circles. The Government has no official knowledge of the English communique. A private message received in Berlin states that Greece has ordered all Greek merchantmen in French and Italian ports to withdraw immediately. The French Government has ordered the authorities at Marseilles not to accept shipments of merchandise for Greece.