RECORD OF CRITICAL DAYS AT SALONIKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 7

RECORD OF CRITICAL DAYS AT SALONIKA.

1 GREEK ARTILLERY TRAINED ON THE ALLIES' CAMPS. ALLIED FLEET CLEARED FOR ACTION. Lontjox, December 9. The Salonika correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph, in a despatch dated November 26, posted in order to escape the proGerman censorship, gives irrefutable facts to show how the crisis then existing arose. The Greek authorities, at the' outset, gave evidence of veiled hostility. The prices of goods were doubled and trebled, super-taxes were imposed on rail transport, and then the Greeks demanded prepayment in gold. To this the allies submitted. Then the allies rented houses, hired horses and vehicles. The Greek military authorities stopped this, and claimed them for their own uses. The Greek defences at Salonika Bay were secretly strengthened by submarine mines, and stores were secretly conveyed to the trenches, and entanglements constructed on the heights facing the allies' camps. The Greek artillery was even trained on the allies' camps. Greek officers openly discussed when the Germans would arrive and drive the allies into the sea. Officers who favoured the allies were removed from their posts and sent to distant stations. Greek troops occupied newly-fortified positions, threatening the allies, on the threat of a blockade, on November 19. The correspondent states that the situation at . Salonika on November 21 was so critical, owing to Greek military activity, that the allies suspected the Greeks of preparing for an immediate attack. The allied fleet cleared for action, and shipping was ordered to sail. A constant watch was kept all night. Possibly the readiness of the fleet became known, for nothing happened, and thereafter the negotiations were resumed on the basis of the French terms.