THE GREEK CRISIS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15707, 28 September 1916, Page 7

THE GREEK CRISIS.

A BOMBSHELL FOR ATHENIANS. VENIZELOS PREPARED TO FIGHT. POPULAR SUPPORT ASSURED. QSy Cable.—Prora Association. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. G.\b'o Association.) (Received September 27 th, 8.35 p.m.) ATHENS, September 27. The move by M. Venizelos came as a bombshell to the public. Newspapers were bought greedily, and excited groups in the streets discussed the possibilities of the situation.

M. Yruizelos is absolutely assured of a powerful following-—probably sufficient to force the situation. M. Venizelos and a dozen of his supporters sec-retly left Athens in motorcars at three o'clock in the morning, and reached Phalcron 13ay by a round-' about route. Here they embarked in tho speedy littlo Greek liner Ilespcria, with Admiral Coundouriotis. who is the popular hero with all Hellenes. Before leaving, M. Venizelos attended a meeting of his principal followers. He declared that tho events at Kavalla had caused htm to lose hope that tho Greek Government would act with sufficient promptness to secure the honour and interests of Greece. It was therefore necessary to act himself in a higher capacity than Leader of the Liberals. The conflict- in which he might, eventually be forced to engage would bn outside the constitutional limits. He therefore freed his supporters of their party tics, and left them fro-o to fellow their own consciences. A DESTROYER DESERTS.

RECRUIT FOR. THE NATIONALISTS. (Received September 27th, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 26. The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent states that the Greek destroyer Nonchi quitted the Fleet and reached opcli sea. It is believed that sho is bound for Kanea, in Crete, or Salonica, to participate in tho National movement.. A VALUABLE RECRUIT. ATHENS, September 26. General Soannon, commandant of the Corfu garrison, has departed for Salonica, and is participating in the revolution. A SIGNIFICANT RESIGNATION. ATHENS. September 26. General Moschopolous, chief of the General Staff, has resigned. Everything indicates that the Government will not last long. PETITION TO "TlfE ICING. (Australian and 2C.Z. Cable Association.) (Received September 27th, 9.40 jxm.) ATHENS, September 27. The announcement of the resignation of General Moschopoulos was premature. He, with 500 other officers, has presented a memorial to the King praying him to depart from neutrality.