Greek Cruiser Torpedoed By Unidentified Submarine

Northern Advocate, 16 August 1940, Page 5

Greek Cruiser Torpedoed By Unidentified Submarine

Relations With Italy Grow More Tense { Received 11 a.m. 1 LONDON, August 15. r fHE GREEK CRUISER MINELAYER HELLE (2115 TONS) HAS BEEN TORPEDOED AND SUNK BY AN UNIDENTIFIED SUBMARINE, STATES A MESSAGE FROM ATHENS. There were 41 casualties.

The Helle was lying at anchor about half a mile from the mole at the Island Tinos, in the Aegean Sea.

The .submarine was submerged. The Helle was built in IDI2 in the United States lor China and was bought 1)v Greece in 1514.

Consternation Throughout Country. The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that the sinking of the Helle spread consternation throughout Greece. Naval experts examined fragments of the torpedo and reported to the Greek Prime Minister (General Metaxas). The crew attempted to ground the Helle, but escaping oil set fire to the vessel and forced the crew to abandon ship. In Athens it is officially stated that a few minutes after the attack on the Helle. all telephonic communication with Rome was severed. General Metaxas conferred with the chiefs of the Navy. Army and Air Force. The submarine which attacked the warship made oil' without coining to the surface. It fired three torpedoes at 8.30. and the Helle sank at 9.30. Pier Hit, Children Killed. Crowds of people had assembled in the vicinity for the celebration of the Feast of Assumption. One torpedo missed the Helle and struck a quay crowded with pilgrims. Many children were killed. One woman died of shock and several were injured. Motor-cyclists dashed through the streets of Athens tonight rounding up all men of the Navy, who were ordered to report to their ships immediately. The public has been prohibited from entering certain coastal areas. Seaside piers have been closed. The telephonic communications between Italy and Greece resumed functioning normally later in the day. Italy Makes no Demands. The Italian Minister (Grazzi) called, on General Metaxas. but it is stated that Italy made no demand on Greece. King George received General Met.axas, who communicated the details of the sinking of the Helle. Naval craft is scouring the waters in the neighbourhood of Tino and has also provided naval protection for the return of 40.000 pilgrims to the mainland. Greek ships are forbidden to leave their home port. At Rome the authorities say they have no information regarding the sinking of the warship. Official circles in London intimated that the dispute between Italy and Greece is being watched with close attention. Dispute Takes Sinister Turn. The controversy, which, up till the present, had seemed only a smokescreen to cover local risings in Albania has taken the most sinister turn as a result of the torpedoing of the Helle. It is unlikely that the Italians will be able to disclaim responsibility for this act. Like the assault on Albania last year, which occurred on Good Friday the Helle was sunk on the occasion of a Greek Orthodox Festival. The Rome radio says the Greek game has gone on long enough. Lies must stop. Meanwhile, Greek violence against Albanian minorities continues. All Albanians in Ciamuria district were arrested and taken in chains to prison because they would not assist Greek espionage activity. Axis Demand Rejected. The correspondent of the "Daily Express" at Athens states that the* German Minister for the second time visited the Greek Prime Minister (General Metaxas) and again made an effort to persuade Greece to renounce the British guarantee of Greek independence. General Metaxas, after a Cabinet meeting, is reported to have again rejected the Axis demands. The Greek Government has revealed that Daut Hoggia. the bandit whom the Italians regard as the leader of the Albanian minority in Greece, had been sentenced in the Greek courts seven times for crimes ranging from robbery and kidnapping to murder. Italian Allegations Refuted. The Greek official news agency, fn detailed form, refutes the Italian allegations that the Greeks were respon- , sible for the murder of Hoggia. The Italian Press continues to rage against Greece, and harps on the Hoggia case. It alleges that more Albanians have been arrested in the Greek frontier province, "because they refused to act as spies and propaganda agents for Greece.”