FIVE HOURS' ULTIMATUM TO GREECE

Evening Post, Volume 55, Issue 55, 3 September 1923, Page 7

FIVE HOURS' ULTIMATUM TO GREECE

QUESTION FOR LEAGUE OF NATIONS

ITALY REFUSES TO ACCEPT DECISION

"SHELLING NOT AN ACT OF WAR"

The sequel to the murder of General Tellini and other members of the Commission which had been engaged in denning the frontier between Greece and Albania (the culprits not yet* having been identified) was the issue of a demand by Italy upon Greece for prompt apology and reparation. Greece declined to accede to the full measure of the demands, which were considered to be humiliating, and was served with an ultimatum. Before the time-limit had expired, the Italians occupied the island of Corfu, off the coast of Albania, after shelling it and causing a number of casualties.

The issue has been submitted to the League of Nations, now sitting at Geneva, for urgent consideration, but Italy has de.clared that the question is one involving her national honour and prestige, aud that the League cannot deal with it, and that she will not accept its decision. Italy is, of course, a member of the League, and has a representative (Signor Salandra) on the Council.

(DNITBD PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYMfIII.)

(AtJSTSALIAN • MSTT ZIAUNO CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

ROME, Ist September

Admiral Solari, commanding the troops in' Corfu, in a proclamation to the islanders, declared that the occupation was necessitated by the barbarous murders, and was not an act of war, simply a manifestation of Italy's inflexible will to obtain reparation. The occupation will remain temporary' and peaceful unless the attitude of the islanders obliges special measures to be taken to protect the Italian troops. ATHENS, 2nd September. Five thousand Italian troops landed at Corfu from fifteen naval vessels. The Greek garrison, numbering 150, fled to the'interior. The Prefect and ten officers were taken prisoner. The victims of the bombardment number thirty-one. .

The Italian admiral has prohibited Greek vessels passing the Strait of Otranto, also between. Corfu and the Greek mainland.