GREEK MURDERS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 99, 31 August 1923, Page 5

GREEK MURDERS

GRAVE CRISIS CREATED. ITALY DEMANDS APOLOGY. Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London, August 30. A grave crisis has arisen between Italy and Greece, following on the murder of General Tellini and his colleagues. Italian newspapers denatives of Epirus, which will leave an a deliberate ambuscade by Greek natives of Epirus, which will have an indelible stain. The Albanian Legation in London has received a telegram from Tirana affirming that Greek armed bands were the assassins, and that the interpreter victim was an Albanian.

The Homo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph reports that the Italian Government considers the crime affects the Allied Governments as well as Italy, inasmuch as tho officers formed part of an inter-Allied commission. The Premier (Signor Mussolini) remained at the Foreign Office for the greater part of ihe night consulting the Minister for War and others regarding the measures to be taken.

Tlio Daily Express states Signor Mussolini's ultimatum to Greece demands a complete official apology at the Italian Legation in Athens, a

solemn funeral in the cathedral at Athena in the presence of all members of the Greek Government, capital punishment for those guilty of the murders, and inedmnity of £500,000 within five days, and full honors by the Greek fleet to the 'ltalian fleet, which will be sent to the Pira-

cufc. The Westminster Gazette reports that Signer Mussolinji'g note to 'Greece states that the massacre was the result of a persistent campaign defamatory of Italy and the Italian military mission, which has been conducted by the Grjgk press. The Morning Post says the fascist paper Corriere Italiano declares: ''Although the massacre may have been committed by an Albanian band, the scene being so near the frontier, it was most, likely duo to the fanaticism of Greeks, who openly opposed General TeUini's action lit' upholding Albanian rights to certain southern districts occupied by tho Greeks."

The. Victims numbered five. General Tollini was a distinguished soldier during the war. He was in Albania/ at the head of the Italian troops when the rebellion broke out, and he stubbornly maintained big positions before yalona until ordored to evacuate. Major Corti, a medical officer, did heroic deeds during the war. Lieutenant BonacinS, an aviator, during the retreat from Caporetto, da-shed outside the enemy linos, conveying assistance to isolated groups. The other two victims of the massacre wore a chauffeur a.nd as interpreter.

DEMONSTRATION IN MILAN. ORDERS TO ITALIAN FLEET. (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, August 30. The Times' Milan correspondent says : Following a demonstration outside the Greek Consulate when the coat of arms w»s tern down a harmless noisy homb was thrown. Guards have been placed outside the Greek, Albanian, and Jugo-Slav Consulates.

Part of the Italian Fleet off Tar-

anto ha s been ordered to suspend manoeuvres, and hold itself ready to leave for an unknown destination.

GREECE EXPRESSES REGRET. OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION. (Received 10.55 a.m.) Athens, August 30. An official commum'quo states that the Greek Government has expressed profound regret, and Informed the Italian representative that a Greek destroyer has already left Piraeus with an export commission to assist in the investigation. ALLEGED ALBANIAN CRIME. FLIGHT ACROSS FRONTIER. Londou, August «'?0. The Central News' Athens correspondent says the Governor-General of Epirus, a Greek delegation, and the Roumanian Consul at Janina attribute the Tellini crime- to tht> Albanians. The murders were committed two miles from the Albanian frontier, where there i» no visible trace of tii& perpetrators' flight.

"AN INFAMOUS CALUMNY/' (Received 12.10 p.m.) Rome, August 30. The Albanian Legation states that a band of Greeks committed the murders twelve miles from the Albanian border. The crime, aroused the dee-pest consternation in Albania,, where the victjinis are regarded as martyrs to Albania's national cause. If, in an infamous calumny to suggest that the Albanians committed the crime. ITALIAN NAVAL ACTIVITY. (deceived 12.10 p.m.)' Par*, August SO. The Petit. Parisian publishes *■. ?>"ie;«njis. from. Turin, sivyin.* that rl-r '

contrate at Taranto. One division only will be sent to Athens if Greece furnishes reparations. ANTI-CREEK DEMONSTRATIONS. ITALIANS AROUSED. (Received 12.110 p.m.) Home, August 30. . Demonstrations against the Greek? arc reported throughout Italy. Tho Government has called on the press and the Fascist forces to assist in the maintenance of order and discipline.

GREEK CABINET ALARMED. INDEMNITY AGREED TO, (Received 12.110 p.m.) Athens, August 30. Cabinet met' immediately on receipt of the Italian Note, and decided to agree to an indemnity for relatives, but to demand modification of the stipulations, which they regard as humiliating. It is understood that in the event of a deadlock Greece proposes to submit the matter to the League of Nations at the forthcoming meeting.'