EARLY OPERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 105, 30 October 1940, Page 8

EARLY OPERATIONS

GREECE SATISFIED

COUNTRY PREPARED

AID FROM TURKEY

IF BULGARIA COMES IN

{By Xelfgrapli—l'lesa Assoclatiou—CcuiTlgUt.) ! (Received October 30, 2 pan.) ; LONDON, October 29. j | Although news from north Greece |is still very scanty, die Greek High Command is satisfied with the progress of the early operations. There were no morning air-raid alarms in Athens, where the inhabitants are j waiting for the first news of the arrival of British aid. Greek efforts to mobilise Balkan support have.been successful within limits. Officials believe that Turkey is prepared to neutralise the Bulgarians and allow the Greek army to be used exclusively against Italy. There is not the slightest indication that Bulgaria intends to depart from her neutrality. But if Bulgaria, under external pressure, abandons her neutrality, Turkey, it is understood, will actively support Greece. The Turks in the meantime are believed to be prepared to support Greece with whatever material aid is possible. Messages indicating that the Yugoslav public support Greece's resistance are displayed in the Greek Press and have helped to increase the Greek's confidence in their defensive ability. General Metaxas, when driving through the city, received a 'tumultuous ovation from all classes. Crowds assembled outside the British Legation, cheering and waving Greek flags and Union Jacks. The appearance of Athens has strongly reflected Government and ! militai*y determination. Troops in full! kit marched off to the front. Moun- i tain guns, drawn by mules, were j noticeable among their equipment. Tin- i hatted air-raid wardens are on duty, j shop windows are criss-crossed with : tape, and cellars have been converted ' into shelters. ; British and American, citizens are! proposing to create a Greek inter- ] national brigade. j The Egyptian Government will j facilitate the departure of Greeks wishing to go to Jreece. The President of the Greek community in Cairo telegraphed to General Metaxas, placing the lives and wealth of Greeks at the disposal ox tne Government. According to the Cairo correspondent oil the Associated Press Britons and Greeks in Egypt a week before the ultimatum knew that Italy planned to attack Greece. Steps to meet the offensive were immediately placed under way. A Belgrade message says that there are unconfirmed reports from the frontier that bombs exploded in the local Government headquarters at Vlona. The revolt in Albania is spreading. Reports reaching the Greek Legation from Athens refer to the complete unanimity and extreme calm with which the popula >n is facing the Italian invasion. There is not the slightest trace of "fifth column" activity and there is every indication that the army is fighting resolutely. All transport and public services in Athens are working normally and numerous measures have been enforced to strengthen air raid precautions and e.isure supplies.

Many Greeks who have long been resident in London besieged the Legation, wanting to join the Greek army.

The Greek Consul at Lisbon has ordered five Greek ships anchored at Tagus not to proceed. They include the Nea Hellas, which arrived yesterday ahead of schedule. M. Chautemps. a former French Premier, is one or the 500 passengers booked for New York in the Nca Hellas, which is

now expected to tie up indefinitely. The crew will seek repatriation.