ITALIAN CHARGE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN CHARGE

GREECE ACCUSED.

ASSISTING BRITAIN. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received August 13, 11.25 a.m. ROME, Aug. 12. It is authoritatively stated that Italy will send a Note of protest to Greece regarding- the assassination of the Albanian irredentist Daut Hoggia when Italian experts finish their examination of the facts.

The paper Popolo di Roma accuses Greece of violating her neutral status and openly aiding the British.

“Wo wonder whether Greece has allowed British agents to function freely along the Albanian-Greek frontier/ the paper states. “More than 200 -wellfurnished oil bases have been built in the past two years at strategic points on the Greek coastline, also islands for refuelling the British air and naval forces.” _ Responsible persons doubt the I opolo di Roma’s report that British ships are being refuelled at Greek Islands, and add that if a British attempt is made to move into Greece in any way the Italians will do likewise.

An Athens message states: Denying the Italian allegation that Greek officials instigated the murder of the Albanian minority leader in Greece, Haut Hoggia, the Government has issued a statement saying the truth is that a notorious bandit, Daout Hodja, was killed by two Albanians who fled to Greece, where they were arrested. Italy has revealed her intention to demand their extradition.