TEPELENI MAY BE EVACUATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 31, 6 February 1941, Page 5

TEPELENI MAY BE EVACUATED

GREEKS STILL PUSHING ON ITALIAN COUNTER-ATTACKS FAIL Received Feb. 5. 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 4. The Greek Press Ministry stated that big fires in Tepeleni indicate that the Italians are destroying stores and preparing to evacuate. The successful action by Greek forces is unabated, despite very bad weather. In the coastal area beyond Himara the Greeks, after a determined assault, occupied a high mountain pass which the Italians converted into a powerful stronghold. The Italians obviously intended to use the position as a base for mechanised counter-at-tacks and had even undertaken considerable road-building, but all their plans were upset. The Greeks used the enemy’s road to bring them eraser to victory. Greek artillery beyond Klisuia is hammering the Italian positions. Fierce artillery exchanges are also proceeding in the Pogradec region. The Times’ Athens correspondent says the Italian counter-attacks henceforth are certain to encounter far greater difficulties, thanks to a big improvement in Greek positions. The enemy command used all its available prestige to impress the troops with the importance of the recent counter-attacks. Even Count Ciano (Foreign Minister), according to prisoners’ statements, assisted General Cavallero, Commander-in-Chiel and Chief of the Italian General Staff, in arranging dispositions. It is revealed that two battalions of fanatical Blackshirts who recently arrived from Italy' defended the King Zog line defences which ihe Greeks penetrated, resulting in the capture of 800 prisoners. BRITAIN AND GREECE [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY, Feb. 3. The closer cultural relations foreshadowed in the recent preliminary announcement of a British-Hellenic k convention are seen more clearly in

the details of the convention issued to-day. In addition to the exchange of university professors and other men of learning, modern Greek is to be regarded as ranking with other major European languages as a possible examination subject in the Universities of Oxford. Cambridge and London, while the study of the English language and literature will be facilitated in Athens University. The British School of Archaeology in Athens, established in 1886, will be permitted to function in Greece peimission for the establishment ol new centres being sought when desirable from the Greek Government. Equally Favourable Treatment equally favourable in both countries will be extended to scholars, students and teachers for residence and employment permits and recognition of either country's degrees and diplomas will be mutual. An interchange is to be made of students and scholars for study, particularly in art and sport, for which travel and residential facilities will be arranged. The British Council already established in Athens will have the right to establish and maintain two primary schools and one secondary school in Athens. To apply the articles of the convention as a whole two mixed AngloHellenic commissions will be constituted, one in London and one in Athens.