GREECE.

Evening Star, Issue 15968, 23 November 1915, Page 3

GREECE.

OUR BLOCKADE BEGUN. ATHENS, November 22. ihe allied fleets have begun to severely search Greek vessels in tho Mediterranean. THE CHIEF REASON. TO ISOLATE SALONIKA. LONDON, November 22. Tho blockade of Greece resembles the Fpr'-'' 0 l )lock ? d 8 ot the Greek ports in 1880. It will stop the movements of troops by sea..arid this is important, as' Salonika is not connected with the Greek 1

GREECE NOTIFIED. REASONS FOR BLOCKADE. TO SAFEGUARD OUR TROOPS, NOT ECONOMIC GQERCION. ATHENS, November 22. A profound-sensation lias been caused by .the British Legation publishing the I'ollowing'.statement in'tho newspapers: In view of tho Hellenic Government's attitude regarding tli-e security of the Entente's_ troops and the liberty of action it is entitled to in connection"with j tho disembarkation of troops, the allied I Powers judge it necessary to take, certain measures having for their object the suspending of the commercial and economic facilities Greece has hitherto enjoyed. The Powers in nowise intend to coerce- Greece to depart from that neutrality which she believes best serves | iter interests, but the Entente l'owers are -obliged to take cognisance of certain allusions made to the possibility of measures to be taken by the Greek Government which aro contrary to assurances received. When all doubt upon these matters lias been dissipated the Entente l'owers will be happy to remove the obstacles now opposed to the arrival of merchandise consigned to Greece, and accord the facilities naturally attending normal relations. Anti-Venezelist newspapers predict a, total lack of bread for non-combatants in a lew days. Tho Allies-' measures, they tay, aie intended to force Greece to abandon her neutrality. The newspapers further point out that it is possible that Greece may undertake not to disarm allied troops and to prevent Germans and Bulgarians from pursuing them upon Greek soil, but in such a case the Abies must leave. Greek territory, as it would be impossible to prevent the Germans and Bulgarians from pursuing it the Allies awaited reinforcements °at Salonika. It is understood that Lord Kitchener and M. Cochin demanded assurances of absolute freedom of action. KITCHENER'S VSSIT. GOOD RESULTS HOPED.

SOME SIGNS ALREADY.

GREECE'S ALLEGED PROMISE

LONDON, November 21. _ Diplomatic circles in London await with leverish anxiety an announcement, of the result of the conversation between King Constantine and Lord Kitchener. Some quarters are hopeful of favorable developments. They point out that Greek public opinion was lirst deeply impressed with the reports of German victories, but these had changed during the last few days. The friendliness ot the Greeks is evident from the enthusiastic leeenliun given to M. Cochin, and the svmp*athv towards the Allies is believed to be ■nw;ing daily. ° The Greek Legation, instructed from Athens, denies the existence of anv GnecoBuiganau agreement, except a technical protocol of October 29, signed bv representatives of the Griee-o-Bulgarian railways, providing for the purchase iu Bulgaria'of 10,000 tons of cereals, Bulgarian, waggons to be used for transport. November 22. 'I he Times's' correspondent at Athens states that the results of Lord Kitchener's visit warrant favorable views a.s to the prccspect pt a. settlement. His arrival was quite unexpected. Generals Macmahon and -Maxwell accompanied him. The visit was too sudden and too brief to admit of a. public demonstration, but Lord Kitcheners commanding presence \tas the subject of general remark. Tho 'Daily Mail's' Athens correspondent states that Lord Kitchener's conversation with King Constantine was restricted to the Balkan warfare in general, and particularly to the strategy of the, present campaign. His interview with M. Skou-k-udis related to political queotions. ATHENS, November 22. According to Ministerial journals. King Constantine and M. Skotdoudis assured Lord Kitchener that Greece would never attack the Allies, and that the way was clear for an agreement. FRENCH QQIVISVIEMT. KITCHENER AND COCHIN. WELL-MATCHED PAIR.

PARIS, November 22. Press comments are to the effect that Lord Kitchener had an opportunity to sav many things to King Constantino' it was an artistic arrangement by which the Kitcnener touch followed immediately upon the paternal gentleness and bonhomie of M. Cochin. Ihe details of the interviews are a secret, but it is assumed that the .-iliies are only asking Greece for a strict fulfilment of her promises of benevolent neutrality. One important question is associated J with .the concentration of Greek troops at Salonika, where it is estimau-d that there are 15 divisions—for what reason, unless Greece is prepared to luliil her'" treaty obligation and help Serbia. Some decree of demobilisation .seems to be necessary, minimum proof of the sincerity of'her neutrality. THE SUEZ CASUAL. I PREPARATIONS FOR DKFEXCE. LONDON, November 21. U Jomps' says that strong juitish contingents have been collected "near the Suez Canal, and that they are credited with the intention of taking the offensive against Syria via Sinai. Such an expedition is not likely to be successful. It must cross 450 m.ile.s of broken couutiv. and the forces, which would be used tip on the way, are themselves insufficient to conquer Syria with one blow. If they arc landed at Alexaudretta, making the" Suez Canal tho starting point, they would repeat the mistake of Gallipoli in attacking the southern end of the peninsula. Thero aro considerable British reinforcements in Egypt. Many have been borrowed, for Salonika, without endangerin" the Suez Canal, to be used in Serbia* thereby better guaranteeing British posses' .■•ions, because the enemies which mav threaten them are in Serbia, where tliev must be beaten in order to bar their road eastward. IH PERSIA. PETROGRAD, November 21. Tho situation in Northern Persia is satis, factory. Tho Russian troops are within 55 miles of Teheran, which is quiet.