QUICK ACTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 October 1925, Page 5

QUICK ACTION

BY LEAGUE OF NATIONS IN GRAECO-BULGARIAN DISPUTE SHORT TIME LIMIT FIXED FOR CESSATION AND WITH OR.WYAb (By Electric. Teleern ph.—bonyright.) (Reuter’s Telegrams) PARIS, October 26. M. Briand presided over a spt'ciallv convoked meeting ot the Council of tin* League of Nations, at which .Mr ( hamberia in represented Britain, to investigate the Graeco-Bulgarian dispute. Ihe chairman referred to conflicting reports ami in a statement said there were two distinct questions. One id urgency concerned tiie cessation til hmstiiit ies and the withdrawal of troops to their own territories. Tile other involved Ihe as ccrlainmctit. of facts fixing the respond liililv for the reparation payable, which would lake time.

Rep,King to M. Briand tin* .Bulgarian Minister at Paris said that Bulgaria in no way invaded Greece, while the < <recn Minister in Paris said that Greece would evacuate Bulgarian territory when the Bulgurs withdrew from Greece. After hearing the Greek and Bttigar iau representatives the Council annotuic ed that, it was not satisfied that military operations had ceased and requested l,nth states to acquaint it within 24 hours that- their Governments unconditionally cttiered troops to withdravy behind tiie national frontiers, and within 60 hours to give assurances that all troops vvoiuld be so withdrawn, all hostilities iiad ceased, and al! troops warned that on resumption of firing they would he severely punished. The Council requested Franco. Britain and Italv to direct their officers within reach to immediately proceed to the scene of the conflict and report when troops Had withdrawn ami hostilities ceased, and that in any case at the expiration of Hie aforesaid tone limit Buigatia and Greece be requested to facilitate in every way the carrying out of these officers’ mission.

The League Council privately deliberated for an hour before announcing the Greece Bulgaria decision. T his. is emiiK.lied in a resolution drawn up by Mr Chamberlain, the terms of which were first privately communicated to the disputants in view of their severity. Ihe resolution emphasised the gravity ot the action and stated that it would lx* an intolerable affront to civilisation fur such incidents to lead to warlike operations instead of submission to the Council. Tiie League would always safeguard and honour the interests of nations whose differences it was called (,11 to settle. 'lime limits run from to-night. The Council will meet again to-morrow. Satisfaction is felt that the Council so speedily reached a unanimous decision.

BULGARIAN CASUALTIES

SOFIA, October 26.

As a result of a Greek bombardment 26 Bulgarian soldiers and 24 civilians, including live women, were killed or wounded ; also eleven soldiers are missing and are believed to be killed.