THE POSITION IN GREECE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 15

THE POSITION IN GREECE.

Tho Entente's second Note to Greece demands that the artillery camp and tho whole of the Greek army, except enough troops to maintain order, shall he transferred to the Peloponnesus. It alr-o demands an apology for tho events of J (cccmber 1 and 2 in Athens; also tho liberation of all imprisoned Vcnizclists, and an indemnity to be paid to these innocent victims, the degrading of the general responsible for the disturbances, and the restoration of allied control. Tho Allies, on their part, undertake to prevent Greek Nationals from crossing tho neutral zone. Tho Note states that the blockade will be maintained until satisfaction is obtained. The German Press is indignant over the Allies' Noto to Greece, realising that Greece's future usefulness as n. pawn in Germany's game is rapidly vanishing. King Constantino gave an audience to all the ex-Premiers. The Government has announced that it strongly objects to tho allied threat to take strong action if the King gives further ground for complaint. The ox-Premiers unanimously decided that the Entente Note was unacceptable, inasmuch as acceptance was equivalent to recognition that Greece contemplated attacking General Sarrail's rear. It is stated that the Government and King Constantino have decided to reject certain clauses of the Note and to passively submit to tho consequences. The Morning Post's Athens correspondent states that the Greek Government on Saturday handed a memorandum to tho Entente's representatives, embodying objections to the demands of December 31, indicating the necessity for the "reater protection of Old Greece against Vonizelist ambitions.

The Daily Chronicle's Athens correspondent states that it is expected that the Government reply to the Entente's Note will ho inconclusive, with a view to paining' time. The Allies have completed their preparations, and will leave events and tho blockado to take thoir eonrse. Royalist papers continue to urcre the non-nrooptance of tho demands, fearing that M. Vonizolos will ho installed when tho troops aro removed. Tho Mornins? Post's Athens correspondent writes: "Judging from tho lone of the local press, Greooo will shortly declare war. The entire press is exclusively pro Government. Under tho King's ordor it declares passionately that tho situation is intolerable, and Greece is not disposed to allow hersolf to bo forood by hunger into ny:-rk acquioseenee in the Allies' arbitrary wishes. The Government is nnparontly moditatinjr a desperate stroke. Reservists a.ro being secretly enrolled and notified to remain in readiness. Measures regarding artillery.

stores, and munitions aro being extensively taken. Tho reservists aro terrorising Athens, refusing to recognise any authority, even that of tho military, which originally encouraged, but now is obliged to bow to tho dictates of what is really an armed mob. Thoy continue to arrest political opponents, and large numbers of tho population aro terrorised, fearing spurious denunciation. Reservists arc reaping a harvest by blackmail. '1 ho revival of ceremonial ostracism against \ enizclos is merely a pieeo of stagecraft, in which priests reluctantly participated under threats. Though tho King is believed to ho not disposed to go to extremities, the military officers are truculent, and have- sent a petition to tho King in favour of -war. They believe that Mackenscn will soon sweep south, and that tho Entente are impotent. Tho possibility of hostile Greek action immobilises a portion of General SarraiFs army.

Tho Daily Telegraph's Pineus correspondent states that tho reservists have hlown up tho, railway bridges south of Larissa to prevent the transport of troops to Peloponnesus. Only 7030 guns were moved before the New Year. Lo Matin states that Greece has promised tho Entente Ministers to repair tho Larissa bridge in 48 hours.

Mr Jeffries, writing from Athens, states that M. Venizclos on Christmas Day was publicly excommunicated by the authorities of the Creole Church. The Government opposed the step, but tho reservists forced tho Metropolitan (Bishop) of Athens to perform tho_ ceremony. A gory bull's head was placed in a square made of stones, and tho Metropolitan, with averted head, pronounced the anathema. The reservists marched past, shouting "Anathema," and a crowd of 50,000 men. women, and children cast stones, cursing Vonczelos as a traitor.

Greek shipowners have suffered enormous losses from tho blockade. Two hundred steamers are held up, capable of earning £IOO,OOO daily. Tho blockade is pinching Greece. Stocks of grain and flour are barely sufficient to last till the middle of January. I The Council of Ministers has appointed ] a Food Dictator, and decided to restrict the daily rations. A Greek destroyer, commanded by General Condouriotis's aide-de-camp landed a detachment and occupied Hydra Island. A Zeppelin dropped on Larissa 15 mailbags containing correspondence from tho Greek army corps interned at Gorlitz. Earl Granville has been appointed British Government representative with M. Veni- ■ zelos's Provisional Government at Salonika, with the title of Diplomatic Agent. Franco has appointed M. Robert Debtily, counsellor attached to the embassy in Rome. Russia is also appointing a representative. French newspapers quote German and Greek documents showing that there is an agreement with Germany for Constantino to combine against the Allies when the Germans and Bulgars again advance on Monastir.