SITUATION IN GREECE

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14538, 9 December 1920, Page 5

SITUATION IN GREECE

MANY TROUBLES AHEAD OVER THE REDEEMED PROVINCES. APPREHENSION IN BALKAN STATES (Australian and N.Z. Cable^Assn.) Received December 8, 8.15 p.m. LONDON, December 7. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent states that, apart from the financial consequences of Constantine’s return, Greece is faced with Ihe danger of the secession of the redeemed provinces which have boon advised by Hie Greek Patriarch at Constantinople against agreeing to Constantinc’s restoration. Under this powerful influence, there is already danger of Crete, the lonian and other islands seceding. It is doubtful if Britain will cede Cyprus, or Italy cede a naval base at Rhodes to the Gonstantinists. Greek restoration may compel Britain to hesitate before altering the present status of Egypt and the military dispositions there. The prospects of Constantine's regime are causing lively apprehensions in several Balkan Slates, especially Jugoslavia and Bulgaria, owing to the importance of Greece’s Aegean communications. DEMONSTRATIONS IN ATHENS, IN FAVOUR OF CONSTANTINE. (Australian and N.Z. Cabla Assn.) Received December 8, 8.45 p.m. ATHENS, December 8. Unprecedented “Mafficking” occurred at the close of the Constantine plebiscite. One account describes the events as a saturnalia, in which the lowest dregs of the population, especially women, participated. There are very contradictory versions of the Government’s intentions in view of the Allies’ Note. One states that they will persist in the recall of Constantine. Another slates that a message has already been sent to Constantine urging him to abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince. CONSTANTINE READY TO RETURN ’ TO UNITE HIS COUNTRY. GOOD RELATIONS WITH ALLIES. WAR TIME HYPOCRISY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received December 8, 8.15 p.m. LONDON, December 8. Constantine, in an interview at Lucerne,buoyantly and jestingly discussed the position with a British 'correspondent. He said he would return immediately he received a summons to return. His going would unite Greece, and a united Greece would be to the Allies’ interests. His restoration would not involve a change in the country’s foreign policy. Greece wanted to keep what she had got, and therefore must cultivate good relations with the Allies. It was not intended to quit Asia Minor. On the contrary, he would gladly lead an army there if the Government requested him. He emphatically denied that lie intended to appoint M. Venizelos to a high post in Greece. He did not want M. Venizelos, but it at any lime M. Venizelos secured a majority, he would not hesitate to invite him lo form a Cabinet. He wanted to remain neutral in war time, and only sent the ex-Kaiser a sympathetic telegram to keep him quiet.