GRAVE CRISIS IN ATHENS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20055, 12 March 1935, Page 7

GRAVE CRISIS IN ATHENS

NEW LIGHT ON GREEK REVOLT

RIGID CENSORSHIP IMPOSED United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 11, 7.0 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. Mr Selkirk Panton, “The Daily Express” correspondent, writing from the Jugo-Slavian border, says: “After an 80 miles dash at night from Salonika in a ramshackle motor car, and then afoot and on a mule I succeeded in escaping from Greece. The car’s brakes failed to act, and the driver and I sprang free as the car crashed into a deep ravine, but a mule ride through the mountains finally brought us to the frontier with other foreigners. I have virtually been a prisoner in Greece, unable to telegraph or telephone to the outside world. This is an open confession of the seriousness of the situation. It is believed at Salonika that the Government has completely lost its head. The British Minister at Athens has protested energetically about the decree which delays and prevents the departure of British subjects. Having lost its fleet, the Government now fears to send aeroplanes lest they desert to the rebels. General Metaxas, the temporary Minister of War, is a keen Monarchist, and is believed to be using the revolution as an opportunity to restore the Monarchy. The names of the Duke and Duchess of Kent are mentioned as possible King and Queen.” BIG FORCES ON THE MOVE CONFLICTING REPORTS FROM BATTLE FRONT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 11, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 11. The Belgrade and Yugo-Slav correspondents of “The Daily Telegraph,” estimate opposing armies in the Struna area at about 40,000 men apiece. Near Corinth, royalist mobs attacked and tried to massacre a train load of 200 Venizelist prisoners. FIGHTING ON THE STRUMA ARTILLERY FIRING BEGINS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ATHENS, March 10. The Government and rebel armies are entrenched on' either side of the swollen Struma River, using the trenches first made by the Bulgarians in the Balkan war of 1912. Four hour artillery firing took place to-night. A battle is expected at dawn in Greek territory, near Kulata, which is entirely held by the rebels, whom the frontier guards, who were loyal to the Government, till Wednesday, have now joined OFFENSIVE BEGUN EARLY SUCCESS CLAIMED BY LOYALISTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ATHENS, March 10. General Kondylis’s ‘“decisive offensive” in Macedonia began at 6 a.m. with a vast semi-circular troop movement, artillery and aircraft combining. The capture of Serres is expected before nightfall. Many rebels are reportedly throwing down their rifles and fleeing. Government troops crossed the river Struma. The Government fleet bombarded the rebel cruiser Helle at Cavala but ceased after an hour, fearing to damage the town. Little Resistance The Government advance across the Struma met with little resistance, the rebels withdrawing with a few casualties to await the attack on the mountain strongholds. General Kondylis’s almost bloodless victory involved costly, futile expenditure of ammunition. The Government planes dropped twelve 5601 b bombs on the Rethxmo barracks on Sunday. The pilots assert that the barracks were destroyed and many killed. TWO REPORTS FROM BATTLE ARENA United Press Association— By Eiectric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. The Athens correspondent of “The Times” says that the force under General Kondylis crossed Orliako bridge and occupied Provata. The force was under the fire of a rebel gun battery stationed in the mountains, which was shelled by bombing planes and heavy artillery. The rebels are reported to be retreating in disorder. Government cavalry and infantry crossed Kourmariani bridge, and the left wing is attempting to encircle Demirhissar and the Tight wihg to encircle Tzajisi. Reconnaisance machines bombed two trains full of retreating rebels. An official message from General Kondylis received in Athens at midnight reports that his forces were unable to take Serres on Sunday. Just before nightfall they met strong resistance seven miles from Serres. General Kondylis adds that he has

taken 200 prisoners and five guns. The Government losses were two dead and four wounded. He intended to take Serres on Monday morning and then push on to Dramakavalla.

LOYALIST SUCCESS CLAIMED

REPORTED SURRENDER OF REBEL CRUISER

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 12, 1.5 a.m.) ATHENS, March 11. An official report states that the rebel cruiser Helli was surrendered by the crew after the officers had abandoned her during the night. Government troops occupied Seres, the rebels fleeing to Alexandria. It is reported that Rear-Admiral Colialexis, rebel commander of the cruiser Averoff, disguised as an ordinary seaman, arrived aboard a small cargo steamer at Kerkyra from Crete.