HOPE FOR PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21602, 3 January 1945, Page 4

HOPE FOR PEACE

LEADERS CONFER E.L.A.S. VISIT TO H.Q. NEW REGENTS APPEAL LONDON. Jan. 1. The E.L.A.S. Central Committee has sent a message to Dr. Damaskinos. the Greek Regent, informing him that they are prepared to order the ‘‘cease fire” immediately, so that negotiations can begin, says Reuter’s Athens correspondent. The message adds that the committee will order the laying down of arms when the political questions are settled. An E.L.A.S. delegation headed by the former Minister of Agriculture. M. Zevgos, spent all the afternoon in conference at General Scobie’s headquarters, reports the British United Press’ correspondent at Athens. The conference, Which was arranged after an exchange of several notes through the barbed wire barricades, is still continuing. A British tank conducted die . E.L.A.S. delegation through the lines; Dr. Damaskinos, in a message to the Greek people to-day. appealed to (hose bearing arms to lay them down immediately, and entrust, the Regency with the solution of the dispute. He said: “Having taken up the Regency I consider it my first duty to end fratricidal bloodshed. Recent experience has demonstrated that it is useless to carry on negotiations and discussions in the midst of strife. Accordingly, I insist that an immediate agreement be reached to break off the conflict. This is an indispensable precondition for the Government which will be formed.”

Dr. Damaskinos made a warm appeal for the co-operation of the leaders of the popular masses. He promised he was determined to apply sound political principles without prejudice, and with equal fairness to all. More Suburbs Liberated Good progress was made on Friday and Saturday in liberating further districts in the south-east of Athens, and on tho Phaleron road, says an Allied Mediterranean Headquarters communique, dealing with the Greek fighting. A number of insurgent stroiigpoints wore captured and sonic 800 prisoners taken to midday yesterday. Other than a slight advance in the area north of Leonides harbour, the situation in the Piraeus is materially unchanged. In Epirus, insurgent troops have landed on Legarei Island and are concentrating on the mainland opposite Levkas.

Greek troops to-day cleared nearly a square mile of south-eastern Athens, and now hold half the city, says the British United Press Athens correspon - dent.' They captured Ardiios Hill, overlooking the Stadium, and cleared a large cemetery just south of Unit ill.

To-day's fighting was the most violent for a fortnight. Ardiios Hill was one of the few remaining E.L.A.S. strongholds in Athens, and held out for nearly four weeks against tanks, artillery and rocket-firing planes. It was finally taken to-day after a heavy barrage and a three-pronged drive. British paratroops cleared the AlhensPiraeus' road all the way to the Gmonia Square.

General Scobie’s first communique of 1945 announces the induction of Dr. Damaskinos as Regent. It also states: “Our troops have completed the liberation of the south-eastern suburbs of Athens, and in the Piraeus have cleared further sectors north and west of the harbour.

An insurgent attack against the wireless station at Pailiui early on Sunday was repulsed. In the Epirus, the withdrawal of General Zervas’ forces and the evacuation of refugees from Prcveza has been completed. The situation elsewhere in Greece is unchanged.”