REBELS FAIL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1935, Page 5

REBELS FAIL

“IN FULL FLIGHT” DESERTION OF TROOPS MACEDONIA REGAINED LITTLE RESISTANCE MET NO FOREIGNERS INJURED By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Athens, March 11. The Government troops advancing on Serres at dawn did not meet with resistance from the rebels and, pushing eastward, they occupied Demirhissar. The rebels, in full flight, evacuated the town of Drama, the rebel officers fleeing northward and leaving their men to look after themselves. Three thousand were captured. It is reported that General Kamenos is seeking terms for his surrender. A Sofia message says that General Kamenos, M. Xidi, Governor of Thrace, three colonels, three lieutenant-colonels, four majors, one captain, two lieutenants and one civilian crossed the Bulgarian border and surrendered to the authorities at Mastanlu, who disarmed them and placed them under supervision. The Greek Legation may request General Kamenos’ extradition. General Kamenos ascribes the desertion of his troops to demoralisation due to the lack of reinforcements, artillery, areoplanes and ammunition. Rebel officers who surrendered at Nevrokop arrived in force at Dedeagach, which made the rebels believe that a large body was taking them in the rear. A San Reno message says that General Plastiras, in trying to enter France, was stopped at Boadighera and has gone to Genoa. ATHENS AGAIN NORMAL. Athens is normal and the authorities have resumed their functions in all towns in Macedonia and Thrace. The field of operations has virtually ended. General lonides entered Drama at the head of loyal troops. The population of Serres wildly cheered General Kondylis’ soldiers.

General Kamenos is reported to have been deserted by all of his followers except seventeen officers after the abandonment of Kavalla, and he fled to seek refuge in Bulgaria. His chief of staff is believed to have committed suicide. The cruiser Helle, which was surrendered by the rebels, has left Kavalla for Salonika under Government orders. Following the collapse of the Greek rebellion in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace aerial bombing has ceased to avoid endangering non-combatants, says a message to London. Consular authorities at Athens believe that no foreigners have been injured and the Government has undertaken to safeguard the lives and property of foreigners.

With the rebels in full flight to-day appears to have been devoted largely to consolidation of the Government position. A number of senior rebel officers escaped from Serres after seizing the equivalent of £120,000 from the branch of the National Bank.

A Government newspaper estimates that the revolt has cost £12,000,000, including the loss of businesses and currency confiscated by the rebels. The. Physicians’ Association has passed a resolution characterising the revolt as the worst treason in Greece’s history and describing M. Venizelos as a common imposter, allegedly coming from a family suffering with hereditary insanity. The association has offered the services of its. members to the Government free.

Calonel Panyatopolu, chief-of-staff of General Kamenos, rebel leader in Macedonia, pulled out a revolver and committed suicide as the rebel leader’s party crossed the Bulgarian frontier.