GREEK NEWS DISQUIETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 49

GREEK NEWS DISQUIETING.

LONDON, June 16. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle writes: "News from Greece is unsatisfactory. M. Skoiiloudis is not attempting to preserve a prudent or becoming attitude towards the Entente Powers. Pro. Germans are organising" demonstrations, with the assent of the police, against the allied Legations. The object is not merely to cause general annoyance, but to obtain an excuse for martial law to enable Veni» zelists to be persecuted. Offensive films are being shown at the kinema theatres, which are the product of the German propaganda. Members of the Government do not trouble to deny their complicity with the enemy. Great Britain has hitherto been reluctant to proceed to positive measures, but patience has its limits." Owing to the censorship at Athens, it is impossible to gauge the situation. Letters, however, show that the Greek police have permitted disgraceful de» nionstrations against the Entente Powers, in which hundreds of ruffians, under the Government's secret police agents, paraded the streets, insulting British and Frenchmen, smashing the offices of pro=Ally newspapers. A revue was given at an Athens theatre, depicting drunken allied soldiers flying from Bulgarians and Ger= mans. Letters show that the vast majority

of the Greeks would welcome any measures the Entente Powers care to take against Greece in order to rid her of the present Government, which is acting utterly regardless of the constitution. The Times correspondent at Salonika reports that Greek mountain convoys are observable moving south from' Serres, indicating that the Greek evacuation of East Macedonia is proceeding as the result of the Allies' pressure. ATHENS, June 16. Seventy merchantmen have been detained in the Pineus owing to the Allies' restrictions. Vessels are allowed to leave Mitylene for any destination save Kavala, in view of its proximity to Bulgaria.

Official : The International Financial Commission considers that the needs of commerce in nowise justify the circulation of an additional 30,000,000 francs of bank notes. If the Creek Government insists on this issue, Britain and France will withhold from Greece all financial support.

LONDON, June 17. The Athens correspondent of the Daily News states that a calm has supervened at Athens, but it is unreal and temporary, the real situation being grave. The Government seems disposed to court extreme measures. The pressure of the blockade is felt even in isolated towns and villages. Manywealthy people are trying to quit the country. The newspapers are writing feverishly. At the Piraeus idle crews refuse to sail unless the owners insure them and thenfamilies against blockade risks. ATHENS, June 17. The Government has decided on a general demobilisation. June 18. A fight lasting several hours took place between Greek and Bulgarian detachments near Serres. The result is unknown. LONDON, June 19. The Athens correspondent of the Daily Mail writes that M. Rallis (Minister of Justice and tions) states that the Government is strong in the King's and the Cham* ber's confidence, and has no intention of yielding to the Allies' pressure.