Greek Government Made Decision to Withdraw

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 102, 1 May 1941, Page 7

Greek Government Made Decision to Withdraw

Armies and Supplies Exhausted Foreign Ministers Official Announcement LONDON, April 30. The first official statement on the evacuation of Greece was made in the Commons to-day by the Foreign Minister (Mr. Anthony Eden). In reply to a question, Mr. Eden said: “Pending any statement that may be made in the course of the next week, may I state that on April 21 the Greek Prime Minister communicated this Note: “While expressing gratitude for the great fight put up by the Greek armies against unjust aggression, those armies having conducted a victorious struggle for six months have now reached a state of exhaustion. They are completely deprived of munitions, motorised vehicles and planes, which makes it impossible for them to continue the struggle with any chance of success and has deprived them of any hope of lending assistance to their brave allies. “In these conditions a continuation of the struggle would only mean the useless shedding of the blood of the brave British and Allied forces. The Greek Government is therefore obliged to stats that further sacrifices of British lives would be in vain and the withdrawal of the British forces while there is time is essential.” “From this declaration,” said Mr. Eden, “the House will see that the decision to withdraw was taken in full agrsement with the Greek Government to whom great credit is due for the decision made. ’ ’