GREEK NOTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 7

GREEK NOTE

EXHAUSTION OF AMY LACK OF WAR RESOURCES BRITISH WITHDRAWAL URGED (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April :U) Declaring that the British evacuation from Greece fully conformed with the wishes of the Greek Government, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, read in (lie House of Commons today the dramatic Note which was received from the Greek Government on April 21. The Note read : ''The Greek Government, while expressing to tho British Government and to the gallant Imperial troops its gratitude tor the aid which they have extended to Greece in her defence against unjust aggression, is obliged to make the following statement: "No Chance of Success" "After having conducted for more than six months a victorious struggle against strongly superior enemy forces, the Greek Army has now readied a state of exhaustion, and, moreover, finds itself completely deprived of certain resources indispensable for the pursuit of the war, such as munitions, motorised vehicles and aeroplanes—resources with which it was in any case inadequately supplied from the outbreak of hostilities. This state of things makes it impossible for the Greeks to continue the struggle with any chance of success and deprives them of all hope of being able to lend some assistance to their valiant Allies. "At the same time, in view of the importance of preserving the British contingents, and in view of the limited aircraft at their disposal and of the extent of the front heroically defended by them, the Imperial Forces have absolute need for assistance from the Greek Army, without which they could not prolong their own resistance for more than a few days. "Further Sacrifice Vain" "Under these conditions a continuation of the struggle, while incapable of producing any useful effect, would have no other result than to bring a collapse of the Greek Army and bloodshed useless to the Allied forces. Consequently, the Royal Government is obliged to state that further sacrifice of the British Expeditionary Force will be in vain and that its withdrawal in time seems to be rendered necessary by the circumstances and in the interests of our common struggle." Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker asked: "Will .Mr. Eden convey to the Greek Premier, on behalf of the House and the nation, our deep gratitude for the magnificent courage and endurance which the Greek Arinv has shown, and for their loyalty as Allies?"

Mr. Eden replied, amid cheers: "1 feel, and the whole House must feel, that no tribute can he too high." ITALIANS OCCUPY ISLAND (Real. 7.10 p.m.) HOME, April ,'!(! The Stefani news agency savs Italian troops, transported by seaplane, have occupied Argostoli, on the island of Cephalonia, at the entrance to the Gulf of Corinth.

HEAVY ATTACKS BOMBING OF MALTA SEVERE CIVILIAN DAMAGE (Rerd. 7.40 p.m.) MALTA, May 1 A large formation of Junkers and Messerschniitts attacked Malta. One Junker was destroyed. Civilian property was heavily damaged, particularly in an important business thoroughfare. Kight civilians were killed and 19 seriously injured. It'was Malta's heaviest raid. Malta has been consistently bombed throughout the week. Many flares and bombs were dropped and a number of buildings wrecked on Tuesday night. A strong defence was put up by guns and fighters. The rock shelters kept casualties low. St. John's Co-Cathedral, erected by the Grand-Master of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in 1573-78, was damaged in a recent raid. Eight civilians were killed and 19 seriously injured. Two German bombers and probably a fighter as well have been destroyed over Malta in the past 24 hours. ANTI-SHRINK PROCESS USE IN SERVICE CLOTHING (Rcrd. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 30 British scientists have perfected an anti-shrinkage process by which woollen underwear worn by the services is being treated. Some 500,000 pairs of socks a week are being treated at a cost of an extra Id a pair, enabling very much longer wear. Previously service socks thickened after washing, causing lameness, but the new process keeps the wool soft. Women will be unable to take advantage of the process until after the war.