"VERY SHAKY"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1944, Page 5

"VERY SHAKY"

Truce Arranged Between Greek

Guerilla Factions

ALLIED G.H.Q. MEDIATION CAIRO, Feb. 15. "Very shaky" is how wellinformed quarters here describe the peace arranged between the Greek guerilla factions as a result of mediation by the Greek Government in Cairo and Allied G.H.Q., in the Middle East. It is emphasised that nothing better than a "truce" has been negotiated up to the present. The greatest difficulty is that while the Greek factions might momentarily be persuaded by Allied military considerations to cease fighting among themselves, their differences remain political, or "ideological," and until these differences are capable of adjustment, the Germans are not likely to be seriously discommoded by Greek guerilla warfare. As a result of hostilities between the Elas bands, led by Colonel Serafis, and the Edes bands, led by Colonel Zervas, there has boon practically no guerilla warfare against the Germans in Greece since November last year. This has enabled the Germans to consolidate their positions. Even the SalonikaAthens railway, which was a favourite target for fighting patriots, has recently operated with practically no interruption. The so-called "Communist" guerillas are still reported to be active in towns, but their activity consists only of minor sabotage and killings of German officers and quislings. The present truce is, however, a clear step despite unpromising factors towards a consolidation of the considerable guerilla elements against the German forces of occupation.