ELAS DENOUNCED

Evening Star, Issue 25393, 26 January 1945, Page 8

ELAS DENOUNCED

STOP PRESS

LONDON, January 25.—Cries of "thugs" and "terrorists" answered Sir Walter Citrine when be asked a meeting of British troops in an Athens cinema whether they agreed with the opinion widely held in England that the Elas were a

democratic body with the highest 'purposes and principles. The ' Daily Telegraph's ' Athens correspondent says that Sir Walter at the outset explained that the . first impression of the visiting Trade Union Congress delegates was that the troops expressed the opinion that the British people were misinformed about the Greek situation. He therefore proposed that each delegate should interview 200 men and get information. He demanded chapter and verse for each accusation the men levelled against the Elas. " Back home I shall be

told this was a carefully-organised meeting," lie said. Soldiers one after another testified that the Elas abused the white flag and shot stretcher bearers. When one soldier said: "They are the dirtiest and lowest crowd that ever was," Sir Walter asked whether that was the general opinion, whereupon back came: "It's putting it too •mildly." §

AUCKLAND EXHORTED TO STOP STRIKE.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 26.—The strike position wa. discussed at a mass meeting at the Hutt Railway Workshops at noon, over SOO lieing present. A resolution was carried with few dissentients re-affirming the previous resolution giving the tribunal to February 14 to announce its decision on the wages claims. "In view of the definite assurance of the tribunal in con-

nection with wages claims and re-

trospective pa3-ment, we urge upon our fellow trade unionists in Auckland province and. elsewhere to immediately return to work, as we are of the opinion thai; they are wrongly dissipating their strength and destroying unity within the trade union movement."—Press Association. !

JAPS QUITTING BURMA? LONDON, January 25. —General Wetlemeyer told a Press conference that the Japanese were apparent.y withdrawing from Burma. He said he did not expect seriaus raids on the newly-cleaied Ledo road.

CLARK AIRFIELD CAL'TURKD LONDON, January 25.—General

.Mac-Arthur announces the capture of Qlf.rk aiifield, the lamest on

Luzon, within 50 miles of Manila