GREEK PROBLEM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17038, 13 December 1915, Page 7

GREEK PROBLEM.

INTERVIEW WITH ALLIES.

M. SKOULOTJDIS AGAIN SEEN

MAIN DEMANDS REPORTED

ACCEPTED

By Telegraph—Prees Association—CoDTiiirht (Received December 12, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 11.

Tho Ministers of tho Quadruple Entente on Friday interviewed M. Skoulondis, and subsequently tho Greek Cabinet met. Mr Martin Donohom states that M. Skoulondis has accepted the Allies' riiain demands.

THE TRADE PRESSURE. GREEK STEAMERS TO DISCHARGE. (Received December 12, 5.5 p.m.) ATHENS, December 11. Several owners of Greek vessels detained in France have instructed tlien'r captains to discharge their cargoes and obtain permission to continue their voyages. ALLIES WANT REPLY. WAR COUNCIL DISPLEASED. “MILITARY PROBLEM BROOKS NO DELAY.” (Received December 13, 1.40 a.m.) LONDON, December 12. Though diplomatic circles in Athens believed that yesterday morning Greece had at last given the Entente a plain favourable answer, later reports indicate that this view was over-sanguine. It appears that the Greek attitude is unchanged, but the Entente is more impressed by the latest assurance. Two main questions were outstanding, military and political. The latter must be settled when the Allies decide whether they will hold or leave Salonika, but the military problem brooks no delay. In view of the sudden dramatic turn of events on 'the Anglo-French front the Entente Ministers again urged M. Skouloudis for a prompt reply, intimating that the War Council in Paris viewed with displeasure the dragging out of profitless pourparlers. These representations were backed up by communications from the Anglo-French Governments. First reports stated that Greece had accepted the demands, but soon afterwards Reuter’s agent at Athens cabled that M. Skouloudis had made the usual reply that Greece was willing to grant every concession, provided it did not affect her sovereignty and neutrality. But it was stated by a Greek official authority that the Entente Ministers in a subsequent discussion had recognised the Government’s sincerity and were seeking a satisfactory solution. They informed the Premier that coerccive measures would cease. There the negotiations stand for the present. GOING TO ATHENB. SARRAIL TO VISIT KING. BETTER DISPOSED TOWARDS ALLIES. (Received December 13, 1.40 a.m.) PARIS, December 13. Italian advices from Athens state that General Snrrail is proceeding to Athens to confer with King Constantine and Staff regarding the facilities at Salonika. The Allies hnve constructed telegraphs and telephones, but need further liberty of movement. King Constantine seemed better disposed towards the Allies. BY FAIR MEANS OR FOUL. BEATING VENEZELOS. SUPPORTERS KEPT WITH THE ARMY. (P.cccived December 12, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 11. The correspondent of “'Hie Times” at Athens, says that an .important statement by M. Venezelos which was submitted to King Constantine has been published with his permission, though the King was not in personal agreement with it. M. Venezelos states that it is not a fact that the GrccoSerbian treaty exonerated Greece frbm rendering assistance if Serbia, were attacked by other Powers in addition to Bulgaria. The treaty was absolutely binding on Greece. It would bo a political mistake of great magnitude to abandon Serbia to her fate, as this leaves Greece at the mercy, of a. strengthened and brutal Bulgaria. Greece bad a great opportunity at small risk of liberating Greeks in Turkey and of building up a greater Greece, including parts of Asia Minor, Thrace and Cyprus. Kng Constantiuo doubtless felt tbo danger too great, but tho Constitution did not give the King the right to override the Ministers and Parliament.

" It is untrue to say that I am in favour of a. republic," M. Veuezelos adds. " Fifty-three Venezelist deputies are with the colours and twentyfive Ministerial deputies were also mobilised. Tho VenezeJists wore offered six days leave at election time, whty) the Ministerial (deputies were. given full leave, consequently the Venezelist majority will be extinguished immediately after the electipns. The Government also offered its supporters in the army leave to vote, while refusing it to my supporters. Honce, as the comedy is too great, I and my party are obliged to protest by absence from the elections."