BALKAN TURMOIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16871, 28 October 1925, Page 7

BALKAN TURMOIL.

LEAGUE COUNCIL DELIBERATES. CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES ORDERED. Elec. Tel. Copyright--Clmted Press A*su. (Reuter's Telegram.! PARIS, Oct.' 26. M. Briand presided over a speciallyconvoked meeting of the Council of tlio League, at which Mr. Chamberlain represented Britain, to investigate tho G:a eco-Bul garia n disptii o. The chairman referred to the conflicting reports, and in a statement said there were two distinct questions. One of urgency concerned the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of troops to their own territories; Ihe other involved the ascertainment of facts, fixing the responsibility and the reparation payable, which would take time. Replying to M. Briand, the Bulgarian Minister in Paris said Bulgaria in no way had invaded Greece, while the Greek Minister in Paris said Greece would evacuate Bulgarian territory when the Bulgars withdrew from Greece-

After hearing tho Greek and Bulgarian representatives, the- Council announced it was satisfied that military operations had ceased, and requested both States to acquaint it within twentyfour hours that their Governments had unconditionally ordered their troops to withdraw behind the national frontiers, and within sixty hours to give nssurrances that all troops would he withdrawn. and ail hostilities ceased, and that all troops be warned that, on resumption of firing they would be severely punished.

The Council requested France, Britain and Italy to direct their officers within reach to immediately proceed to the scene of conflict, and, report when tho troops are withdrawn and hostilities have ceased, and in any case at the expiration of the aforesaid time limit Bulgaria and Greece be requested to facilitate in every way the carrying out of these officers’ mission.

Tho League Council privately deliberated for an hour before announcing, its Greek-Bulgarian decision. This was embodied in a resolution drawn up by Mr. Chamberlain, the , terms whereof were first privately communicated to tho disputants in view of their severity. The resolution emphasised the gravity of the action, and stated it would be intolerable and an affront to civilisation for such incidents to lead to warlike operations instead cf submission to the Council. Tlie League would always safeguard the honor and interests, of nations whose differences it was called on to settle!. The time limits ran from to-night. The Council will meet again tomorrow. Satisfaction is felt that the Council so speedily reached a unanimous decision.