GREECE'S WISH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 101, 1 May 1941, Page 9

GREECE'S WISH

BRITISH WITHDRAWAL

FURTHER SACRIFICES in VAIN-

GRATITUDE PELT

CRec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, April 30. The* translation of a document in which the Greek Government on April 21 informed the British Government that further sacrifice of the British Expeditionary Forces -would he in vain, and advised its withdrawal, has now been published. It states:

"The Greek Government, while expressing to the British Government and to the gallant Imperial troops its gratitude for the aid which they have extended to Greece in her defence against unjust aggression, are obliged to make the following statement:—

"After having conducted for more than six months a victorious struggle against strongly superior enemy forces, the Greek army has now reached a state of exhaustion, and, moreover, finds itself completely deprived of. certain resources indispensable for the pursuit of the war,' such as munitions, motorised vehicles, and aeroplanes—resources with which it was in any case inadequately- supplied from-the outbreak of hostilities. This state of things makes it impossible for the Greeks to continue the struggle with any chance of success, and deprives them of all hope of being able to lend some assistance to their' valiant allies. At the same time, in view of the importance of preserving the British contingents, in view of the limited aviation at th&r disposal, and in view of the extent of the front heroically defended by them, the Imperial forces have absolute need for the assistance of the Greek army, without which they could not prolong their own resistance for more than a few days.

"In these conditions continuation of the struggle, while incapable of producing any useful effect, would have no other result than to bring about the collapse of the Greek army and bloodshed useless to the Allied forces. Consequently the Royal Government is obliged to state that further sacrifice of the British Expeditionary Force would be in vain and that its withdrawal in time seems to be rendered necessary by circumstances and by interests common to the struggle." -8.0. W. ■■