ATTITUDE OF GREECE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3215, 27 October 1915, Page 25

ATTITUDE OF GREECE.

LONDON, October 22. The Times states that it is under* stood in well-informed circles that Greece has rejected the proposal for the cession of Cyprus to Greece by Britain. October 23. The British Government communicated its proposal to cede Cyprus to the Greek Government on Sunday. Part ot 1 lie proposals had been under consideration for some time in order to induce Greece forthwith to fulfil her obligations under the Graeco-Serbian treaty. The British Note clearly informed Greece that the fulfilment of her treaty obligations entailed the cession of Cyprus without prejudice to othereventual advantages which the Allies might share with Greece. ROME. October 23. Dr Dillon says that a lively but friendly interchange of views is proceeding at Athens between the Zaimis Cabinet and the fc.-eign Ministers, but nothing definite has resulted from this diplomatic tournament. The internal ferment is increasing, and is intensified by the hatred of the Bulgars and fear of their treachery. M. Zaimis contends that Greece, as an independent State, is entitled to maintain an armed neutrality, and that the Entente Powers ought not to interfere with this right in view of Greece’s friendliness. The Allies contend that they relied on the Grseco-Serbian treaty, which was essential for the Balkan equilibrium. The Entente diplomats are prepared to guarantee that the Allies’ armies will be interposed between the Austro-German invaders and the Greek army. The Entente Ministers point out that the Expeditionary Forces are at the mercy of the Greek Cabinet, in which event, by deciding not to fight Bulgaria and maintaining friendly relations with the AustroGermans and Turkey, Greece ought not to object to demobilise. The Turco-Bulgarian and German Ministers emphasise that the Bulgarians have not any designs upon Greek territory. It is doubtful whether spontaneous Greek co-operation can any longer be hoped for in view of King Constantine’s plighted word to the Kaiser, but Greece may yet be constrained if the Entente nations, in the desperate struggle for their lives, are ready to employ more potent means than argument for invasion. ROME, October 23. The Corriere della Sera’s Athens correspondent says that, all the Greek parties agree that Greece cannot move unless the Allies have 300,000 men in Macedonia. Once these are landed the Greeks of their own accord will ask to join the Entente. October 24. The Greek Minister denies a secret Graeco-Bulgarian treaty, and adds that Greece’s attitude is due solely to military considerations.