Italy's Threats To Greece Continue

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 201, 24 August 1940, Page 10

Italy's Threats To Greece Continue

BITTER ATTACKS Britain Determined To Stand Firm To Guarantee (British Official Wireless.—Rec. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, August 23. ' Developments in Greece are being closely studied in London. There is no indication, however, that the situation has undergone any fundamental change. There is no confirmation here that Italy has given a 24-hour ultimatum calling upon Greece to renounce the British guarantee, and emphatic denials have been made in both Rome and Athens. Another report categorically denied in London is that British forces have occupied the islands of Crete and Corfu. This report no doubt originated in Italian propaganda. Since the outbreak of war Greece has maintained strict neutrality, and it is significant of Greece's determination to maintain friendly relations with her neighbours that this attitude has been preserved throughout the recent period of tension provoked by the sinking of a Greek mine-laying cruiser and the bombing by the Italians of two destroyers. x Meanwhile threats continue and a fierce anti-Greek campaign in the Italian Press, based on the flimsiest pretext, was renewed yesterday after a brief lull. The British attitude towards developments in Greece has undergone no change. The Government stands firmly by its obligations under the guarantee, which contained, according to Mr. Chamberlain's statement in the House of Commons on April 13, 1939, the clause that "in the event of any action being taken which clearly threatens Greece's independence the British Government wpuld feel bound at once to lend the Greek Government all the support in.its power." Other Balkan Powers have maintained the correct attitude during this critical period, and in London the prompt concession by Rumania to the Bulgarian claim on southern Dobruja is regarded as offering a valuable contribution towards the maintenance of peace in the Balkans. "The Times" says that this quick contribution towards the maintenance of peace in the Balkans reflects credit on the diplomacy of both countries. With a real grievance of 27 years' standing removed, internal stability in the Balkans should be strengthened. Another Murder Charged To Qreece. The Rome radio stated that Greek authorities had committed another murder in Albania. The Albanian newspaper "Tomori" reveals that a man was found hanged on a tree. The death was described as suicide, but further investigation disclosed information which changed the picture. Special categories of searchlight, machine-gun and mechanised units were called up to-day for a month's training, says an Athens message. Columns of Italian mountain troops are reported to be occupying strategic passes on the Albania-Greek border. A high Fascist official in Rome said that Italy will invade Greece if the British occupy any Greek islands. In reference to Egypt, he said that Italy is fighting the British and not the Egyptians. j In denying that an ultimatum was sent by Italy to Greece, ' the Italian Stefani news agency says: "It is pointed out that the authors of this fantastic piece of news lose sight of the fact that the British guarantee is no longer of any value, therefore it cannot be made the object of an ultimatum." Authoritative sources in Rome also deny that Italy sent an j ultimatum to Greece. . i