ITALIAN OUTBURSTS AGAINST GREECE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 191, 13 August 1940, Page 8

ITALIAN OUTBURSTS AGAINST GREECE.

PRESS ATTACK. Rome To Protest Regarding Albanian's Death. United Tress Association.—Copyright. (Reed. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 12. A message from Athens says that, denying the Italian allegation that Greek officials instigated the murder of the Albanian minority leader in Greece, Haut Hoggia, the Greek Government, in a statement, said: "The truth is that a notorious bandit named Daout Hodja was killed by two Albanians who fled to Greece, where they were arrested. Italy revealed her intention to demand their extradition." It is authoritatively stated in Rome that Italy will send a Note of protest to Greece regarding the assassination of Haut Hoggia, when Italian experts finish an examination of the facts. Athens news agencies now make it clear that Daout Hodja is the same as Haut Hoggia. He is not a patriot but a robber notorious for 20 years. His murderers were not Greeks but Albanians. The Italians have known tho facts for at least 20 days. Their statements are not based on facts. Tho British United Press correspondent at Athens was cut off by the censor when telephoning that the Greeks were expecting Italian demands for a strip of Greek territory opposite Corfu. "Openly Aiding Britain." The "Popolo di Roma" accuses Greece of violating her neutral status and openly aiding the British. "We wonder," says the paper, "whether Greece allowed British agents to function freely along the frontier of Albania and Greece. More than 200 well-furnished oil bases have been built in the past two years at strategic points on the Greek coastline and islands for refuelling British air and naval forces." Responsible persons doubt this newspaper's report that British ships are being refuelled at Greek islands. The paper added that if the British attempt to move into Greece in any way the Italians will do likewise. Revolt in Albania. A message from Belgrade says reports from the Albanian frontier say that 10,000 Albanians are revolting, 400 Italian soldiers have been killed and that three Italian troop-laden warships have arrived 1 at Durazzo (Albania). Musajuka, former Minister- of the Interior, is reported to be among the rebels. Aa Italy, in the name of Albanian nationalism, began a hate campaign againht Greece, demanding the liberation of a 00-mile tone ot Greek territory, a revolt against Italy flared up in Albania, says the "Daily Express" Belgrade correspondent. The Mriditi tribe rebelled when the Italians tried to force them to join the army. Italian officers are reported to have been shot while requisitioning Albanian food and cattle. Revolts in Albania began iast Friday, says the "Dajly Mail" Athens correspondent, and are spreading. The leaders of the Kurveles tribe notified the Italians that they would refuse to supply foodstuffs and would disobey mobilisation orders. They demanded the release of Albanians imprisoned at Tirana. The Italians are said to hare suffered 100 casualties. They included seven officers, among whom. was a lieutenantcolonel. . Many Albanians have been sent to gaol for distributing leaflets urging young men to flee to the woods and escape being forced into war "against the liberators of small nations."