BIG REVERSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22056, 12 March 1935, Page 9

BIG REVERSE

GREEK REBELS / - throwing down arms [MACEDONIAN WABFAKE GOVERNMENT VICTORY NAVAL ACTION PLANNED / By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (■Received March 11, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 11 In a telegram from Athens Sir Percival Phillips, special correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, says: A general offensive by the Greek Government's forces in Macedonia was begun early on Sunday. The Minister of War, General Kondylis, reports that the rebels are throwing down their arms and fleeing in disorder.' Snow and a thick mist reduced visibility in the air to a few hundred y^irds. Venizelist deserters tell mournful tales of privations duo to lack of food. The plain of Seres is deep in mud so the Government forces must move slowly. Athens received the news of the Government's victory in Macedonia with relief. The capital so far is entirely calm. The response of volunteer soldiers to the Government's call has been almost embarrassing. They have been sent for>ward to reinforce the Salonika front and are / enduring the severe weather with remarkable cheerfulness. Many of the volunteers are still in civilian clothes, without overcoats and even bare-headed. The Government has issued a reassuring statement to the effect that no innocent persons will be punished merely because of their political opinions, but there have been many arrests, t The Government now is ready to take the offensive against the fugitive ships. The old battleship Kilkis has been recommissioned. She has four «12-inch guns against the Averoff's 9-inch guns, is seaworthy and has an efficient fcrew. . Also the Government has seven destroyers, sis torpedo-boats and two submarines. The Daily Telegraph's Belgrade and Yugoslav correspondents estimate that ' the opposing armies in the River Struma area number about 40,000 each. Near Corinth Royalist mobs attacked and tried to massacre a train load of 200 Yenizelist prisoners. ESCAPE FROM GREECE BRITISH JOURNALIST 1 " REVIEW OF SITUATION (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 Mr. Selkirk Panton, correspondent of the Daily Express on the Yugoslav border, telegraphs that after an 80 miles' da'sh at night from Salonika in a ramshackle motor-car, on foot and on a mule, he succeeded in escaping from Greece. " The brakes of the car failed to iact,"'says Mr. Pant On. "The driver and I sprang free and the car crashed iinto a deep ravine, but a mule ride through the mountains finally brought us to the frontier with other foreign-

" Virtually I have been a prisoner in Greece and not able to telegraph or telephone to the outside -world. This is an open confession of the seriousness of the situation.

"It is believed that the Salonika Government has completely lost its bead.

"The British Minister in Athens has protested energetically about a decree which delays or prevents the departure of Britisfe people. " Having lost the fleet the Government no(w fears to send aeroplanes into the air lest the pilots should desert to the rebels." THRONE OF GREECE RESTORATION RUMOURS DUKE OF KENT MENTIONED (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 11 In a despatch to the Daily Express from the Yugoslav border Mr. Selkirk Panton , states: —"General Metaxas, temporary Minister of "War in Greece, is a keen monarchist and it is believed that he is using the revolution as an opportunity to restore the monarchy. " The names of the Duke and Duchess of Kent are mentioned as possible King and Queen of Greece. REVOLT REPUDIATED POLITICIANS RELEASED RETREATING REBELS BOMBED Times Cable LONDON, March 10 The Athens correspondent of the Times states that five Venizelist deputies and former Ministers were liberated after repudiating the revolution. The forces-under General Kondyhs crossed the Orliako Bridge and occupied 'Provatn. under fire from a rebel mountain-gun battery which was shelled bv bombing aeroplanes and heavy artillery. The rebels are reported to have retreated in disorder. Government cavalry 'ind infantry crossed the Kourmnriani Bridge. The loft wing is now attempting to encircle Deniir Hissar and the riicht wing T/.ajisi. Reconnaisance machines bombed" two trains full of retreating rebels. ITALIAN WARSHIPS THREE FOR AEGEAN SEA AIR MAIL SERVICES CEASE LONDON, March 10 The Iconic correspondent of the 1 iincs the Italian cruiser Trento and the destroyers Ciulamosta and Pigaletta liaVe departed for the Aegean Sea. Ihe ®ir mail to Greece and lurkey have been suspended. • ->? I