GREECE

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16080, 29 September 1916, Page 8

GREECE

THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT. STATEMENT BY M. VENIZELOS. ("The Times."} LONDON, Sept. 27.. Prior %j leaving Athens M. Venizelos wade a special statement to a "Times" representative. He announced that he was going to ■: the Greek Islands to lead a movement against the Bulgarian invaders, who were overrunning Greek Macedonia. They were maltreating, imprisoning and murdering tlie unprotected Greeks whom the Greek army had loft at their mercy. He could no longer resist the cry of his compatriots who were calling on him to save them.

He had recently sent a message to King Constantino, urging him to rescue the Greeks and offering to retire if it would make the path easier. M. Venizelos said ho hesitated before talcing the supremo step \mtil he was convinced that-those who were now controlling Greece's policy did not intend to arm and drive the enemy out. The patriotic movement was not intended against the King or the dynasty, but v.-as made by those unable longer to stand asido.

"It is also," ho added, "the last effort wo can make to induce the King to como forth as tho King of the Hellenes and follow the path of duty in protecting his subjects." M. Venizelos feels sure ho can count on. tho goodwill of the free English people towards the mission he is now setting out to accomplish. 'The movement that ho and Admiral Coudouritis are leading is purely national. They have exhausted all legal means to secure integral national action. If Athens moved in the right direction the Venizelists would assist in every possible way. A FURTILSr'IJtATEMENT. The "Patris" says that M. Venizelos did not intend interfering immodia,tel3 r with the status quo in Athens. The object of the movement is purely national, the foranation of an army being for the purpose of handing Macedonia over to the Allies. Prince George. of Serbia has arrived at Salonika. PETITION TO THE KING. The announcement of the resignation of General Moschopoulos was premature. He, with 500 other officers, has presented a memorial to the King praying him to depart from neutrality.

KING AND LEADER. COMMUNICATION OPENED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) The "Daily Chronicle's" Athens correspondent states that King Constantino has opened communications with M. Venizelos. ■ OFFICERS AT HARD LABOUR. COPENHAGEN, Sept. 27. Advices fr,om Athens state that a hundred Greek "officers who endeavoured torioin the revolutionaries were imprisoned-and put to hard labour. There arc serious 'revolts at Larissa and tho movement is growing. . MEMORIAL TO KING. FROM ARMY OFFICERS. ATHENS, Sept. 27. The: report of General Moschopoulos's resignation was. prematurely reported. He > and five hundred officers have memorialised the King, askiug him to depart from his neutrality.