Reported Italian Note To Greece

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 200, 23 August 1940, Page 7

Reported Italian Note To Greece

VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM

Must Renounce British Pledge To Help If Attacked (United Press Association.—Copyright.—Roc 2 p.m.i LONDON, this day. The "Daily Telegraph" states that reports from usually reliable sources reaching Belgrade to-night state that Italy has given Greece 24 hours in which to renounce the British guarantee of help in the event of attack. Hostilities will follow if Greece refuses. General Metaxas, Prime Minister of Greece, has assured Sir Michael Palairet, British Ambassador, that the Greek Army is loyal and that Turkish support seems certain. The British spokesman in Athens says that if Greece resists attack the British Navy and Air Force will immediately rush to her aid. The official Greek news agency denies the allegation of the Albanian newspaper "Tomori" that Greek authorities some months ago organised armed bands for the persecution of Albanians. The news agency added that the whole population of Greece was most friendly towards Albania. It is reported in Athens that Italian troops are massing on the Greek-Albanian frontier. Defensive booms have been placed at the entrances to the harbours of Athens and Salonika. An Italian aeroplane was shot down over an arms factory 30 miles from Athens. The Greek General Staff has decided to investigate on the spot.