ELAS FORCES ATTACK

Southland Times, Issue 25546, 14 December 1944, Page 5

ELAS FORCES ATTACK

BRITISH TROOPS MOVE BACK

ATTEMPT TO FORCE DECISION (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 13. The whole of Greece, with ’ the exception of the Piraeus peninsula, is under the control of ELAS forces and it is expected that the rebels will attempt to force a decisive battle before British reinforcements can arrive. This is reported by a correspondent of the National Broadcasting Company in Athens. British troops were forced ta withdraw under pressure in Ambelokipo, a north-eastern suburb of Athens, but made some advances yesterday in the lower part of the Piraeus peninsula. It is officially stated in Athens that Government forces in the centre of the town have been forced to yield at least 12 blocks of the city. The American Associated Press correspondent says: “The ELAS forces are making an all-out attempt to break into the centre of Athens before the arrival of British reinforcements.” Fierce fighting went on in the'centre of the city all night and is continuing this morning. The town hall was set on fire during the fighting and several other fires are still blazing in the market district. There were two big ex-/ plosions this morning as buildings were apparently dynamited. M. Militiades Porphyrogenis, Minister of Labour in M. Georges Papandreou’s Cabinet before the uprising, was an emissary from ELAS to ask Lieuten-ant-General R. M. Scobie’s terms for a meeting suggested and arranged by a neutral intermediary. LieutenantGeneral Scobie’s terms were:— (1) All ELAS forces to leave Attica (the province of which Athens is the capital). (2) The surrender of all arms by ELAS. The emissary is now reporting the terms to ELAS. Meanwhile, the fight is still hot and ELAS 75-millimetre guns all day have been shelling the British headquarters in the Grand Bretagne Hotel. TRAGIC SITUATION IN GREECE Resolution By Labour Member (Rec. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. The executive committee of the Labour Party is bringing forward to the party conference tomorrow an emergency resolution on the events in Greece. Mr Arthur Greenwood, M.P., will move: “That this conference deeply regrets the tragic situation which has arisen in Greece and calls on the British Government most urgently to take all the necessary steps to facilitate an

armistice without delay and secure the resumption of conversations among all sections of the people who resisted the Fascist and Nazi invaders, with a view to establishing a provisional national Government, which would proceed to a free and fair general election as soon as practicable, in order that the Greek people may express their will. The conference looks forward to the establishment of a strong and democratic system, bringing peace, happiness and reconciliation to our generous and heroic Greek allies.” The party in a secret session this afternoon decided to establish a general election fund amounting to at least £lOO,OOO.