ANARCHY IN GREECE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 881, 6 December 1916, Page 8

ANARCHY IN GREECE.

VERITABLE MASSACRE. LIBERALS HUNTED DOWN. ANOTHER ST. BARTHOLOMEW. Australian una N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December I. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent, writing from Piraeus on Sunday, says:—"The scenes witnessed in Athens yesterday resembled descriptions of St. Bartholomew's Day in Paris. The spectacle was one of the worst form of anarchy. "Soldiers without officers and armed civilians were hunting down Venizclisls like dogs. "Anyone venturing into the streets was 'beaten and wounded, and thrown into prison without mercy, and without pity. "Machine guns were used in the central squares and in I lie streets in the afternoon. "One thousand Venizclisls were imprisoned, and 100 killed and wounded. "The hunt contin les to-day. "Correspondents iavc been obliged to take refuge in Pirieus, which is the only safe place that Greece provides to-day for the Nationalists, and for England and France, who for a century have protected and nursed her." BLACK TREACHERY. A SURPRISE ATTACK. United Service. LONDON, December 1. Mr J. M. N. Jeffries states that when the troops landed a Greek colonel promised that there would be no resistance. The troops ale their luncheon, and were preparing for the march when a treacherous and unprovoked fire was poured into them. Half of the troops were withdrawn to the coast and the other half held a munition factory until hostilities

were ordered to cease. The British marines suffered N v severely owing lo the entrance to the magazine being jammed with Allied troops, so thai they were unable to reach cover. Those inside broke a hole in the wall and dragged in their comrades singly. Two French officers were killed and 40 men wounded below the Acropolis, where the French held the edge of a ridge, but they were compelled to surrender to superior numbers, owing to lack of ammunition. Extraordinary scenes were witnessed. Men were running everywhere, seeking cover from the rifle and revolver fusillade. Even under the palace windows many wounded and deal lay stripped and robbed, where they fell. A French chaplain slated thai they had marched along quietly, and had almost reached the foot of the hill, their transport carls following, and the men's rifles unloaded, as had been strictly ordered, when suddenly Creek soldiers appeared on both sides of the road, and seized the carts. The French commander ordered the chaplain lo lie down, and sent messengers lo tell the following detachments. None of them returned. Meanwhile the Creek troops approached on every side till finally a lieutenant ordered his men to charge. The Creeks then opened a fusillade, and our sailors fell everywhere. It was a massacre, not war. Those escaping retreated lo (he railway track, there rejoining our main body. The French commander was shot dead.

THE ALLIES' DANGER. MAY BE ATTACKED IN REAR. Australian and N.Z. Cahle Association LONDON 1 . December 4. Mr Ward Price, writing from Salonica, slates that as a result of the Allies withdrawing the landing parties from Athens, King Constantino considers that he is free from the restrictions imposed, and his first act has been to reappoint as Chief of Staff, General Donsmanis, whom lie removed under the Allies' threats in August. The King has also regained his authority over the telegraphic, postal, and railway services, where the French recently exercised control. These events are capable of completely changing the .situation on the Balkan front, and it seems possible thai the Greek Army at the capital may be thrown into the war against us. Anyone viewing the situation at short range sees the clear possibility of the Greek Army attacking the Mlies in the real- or at Salonica. GREEKS MOBILISING. PREPARING FOR WAR. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, December 5. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent at Piraeus stales thai King Constantino is quietly mobilising. The indications arc that Greece is preparing for war against the Entente, bill il is being done secretly in order lo gain lime for the mobilisation, and also to permit General von Mackensen to arrive at the Monastir front.

"It is useless," says the corrcsontlent, "to mince matters regarding the Alliens fight.' We suffered a complete defeat. Admiral du Fournet trusted to King Conslantine's promises, and the Allied troops walked into a trap. They found themselves surrounded before even a shot was fired. The big shells from the French fleet alone prevented the annihilation of our Zappeion force. The armistice provided for the return of our prisoners. This the Greeks fulfilled. It also provided for the abolition of all Allied control, and the departure from Athens of all Allied uniforms." DESPICABLE ACTS. DU FOURNET DECEIVED. Australian and N.Z. Cabin Association. LONDON, December 4. The Athens correspondent of the "Daily Chroncile" states that the conflict on Friday was the direct outcome of Greek treachery. Admiral du Fournet explicitly told King Constantino the positions that he intended to occupy, and arranged that neither side should use force. Despite King Conslantine's and the Government's promise that there would not be a disturbance —they alleging that the calling up of the Reservists was aimed at the preservation of order—it transpires that arms were distributed to other Reservists who were not wearing uniforms.

Moreover, when strong Greek forces moved out of the city it was alleged that this action was aimed at preventing collisions. The facts are thai these forces occupied positions near the station of the Zappeion, where Admiral du Fournet previously told the King it was his intention to station French troops. Further acts of treachery were the firing of the machine-gun upon Admiral du Fournct's staff without warning, and also an attack from the palace behind the Zappeion. THE BRITISH LOSSES. NEARLY 50 CASUALTIES. Australian and N Z- Cable Assoe'ntion ATHENS, December 4. The latest figures show that eight British were killed and thirty severely and ten slightly wounded. UTTERLY TRICKED. FOREIGN OFFICE DUPED. United Service. LONDON, December 5. The "Daily Mail" says that Lord Robert Cecil's statement in the House of Commons, to the effect that the Allied Governments regard the situation as very grave, and are arranging to take immediate drastic measures, reveals that Viscount Grey has again been utterly tricked in the Balkans. PATIENCE EXHAUSTED. FRENCH WANT REPARATION. ''the Times" Service. PARIS, December 5. French patience with King Constantino and his Government has ended, and the Press is now allowed to speak with comparative freedom. The public demand instant and adeuate reparation for the French blood spill.