The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-30
Greeks Fight on ThenistOcIes
 Old Stronghold
EXCITEMENT IN ATHENS
Mutinous Naval Officers in Gunboats Open Fire and Are Now Rowing the Grecian Seas-Prennier
 Refused to See Them.

Athens. October 29-After almost SO00 years-when Themistocles gained a mem orable victory over the Persians-sa salanis again today was the scene of 8 naval battle.
 The correspondent of the Associated Press has just returned here from Scar amanga, where he witnessed 20 minutes of fighting this afternoon between field batteries and big warships on the one side and the mutinous band of naval offi- cers which quilted the capital Wednes- day, with torpedo boats. on the other
 The first shots were fired soon after o'clock and a sharp exchange of shell followed. Some of the projectiles struck the arsenal buildings, but the correspond ent saw only one shell hit torpedo boat the Sphendona--which was immediately enveloped in a cloud of smoke. During the action the torpedo boats gradually retired steaming backwards un- til they obtained the shelter of the main land when the firing ceased. The rebel vessels while the engage ment was in progress, returned the fire of the warships and field batteries, but
 
 either side. The rebels were red by Lieut.. Tibaldos and are reported to have numbered 300 men.
 Excitement in Athens. Athens remains quiet tonight but much suppressed excitement prevails An of ficial statement has been issued, stating that the arsenal, which was in the hands of the rebels, has been recaptured, and flsat 1afaa Is pected to surrender.
 Lieutenant Tibaldos appears to have been actuated by his disapproval of the tactics of the military league and the | junior naval officers in consenting to ne- gotate compromise or inc ultimatum recently issued by the military league for the enactment of an ordinance sus- pending all promotion for i've years and the abolition of the posts of rear admiral, ] vice adm gal and f5 placfk lesser rank. 1 TibaIdos took pronti1ent part in the military movement last August. He was the first officer to go to the l camp at Goudi, outside the city, after the premier's refusal to receive a depu- tation of officers and he subsequently, was appointed commander of the rebel camp.
 At a meeting of the military league yesterday Tibaldos said:
 'I led the last revolution and without
  don me- but l will carry out 8 second revolt single-handed."
 The military leagues proclamation dis owning Tibaldos, who was in command or flotilla of torpedo boats and submarines and demanded the portfolio of minister Of marine, ascribed his intentions to mad ness and the influence of outsiders, and threatens to have him court-martialed for treason.
 The league held a meeting late tonight to discuss what it's attitude should be toward the naval officers who took part in today's fight. It is believed that the league is inclined to show them indul- gence.
 Like Russian Event.
 Meanwhile the position of the mutinous torpedo boats resemble that of the Rus sian battleship ,Kniaz Potemkine. which mutinied in 1905 and fired on Odessa and then roamed the Black Sea for several weeks. and the government is apprehen- sive as to where 1t next will hear of them. It is rumored they have gone toward the Island of Crete.
 In the chamber of deputies today Pre- mier Maxromichalis, after detailing the events of the day, said the government was determined to suppress the outbreak by force Happily, the movement was very limited. The officers, he said, were occupied in reforms in all branches of the administration and would not neglect the navy Therefore, the officers impa- tience was unjustifed. The premier, add ed. however. that if the naval officers had been led astray they still had time to rehabilitate themselves. The follow ing shows how the revolt had it's origin. The government in response to the de- mands of the naval officers for the sus- pension of promotion for five years and the abolition of certain high naval posts had consented to introduce navy puri- fication bill; but 1t insisted that the bill must be absolutely impersonal and de- clared it would fiatly reject any proposals aimed at individual officers. The Military league accepted this solution of the prob lem but Lieutenant Tibaldos spurned it as inadequate and secretly convened n meeting of naval officers, all of whom signed a document laying down their min imum demands.
 TbaIdos Gets Angry.
 This document Lieutenant Tibaldos pre- sented Thursday night to Colonel Tsorbas. head of the military league, and at the same time appealed to the league to make him minister of marine. Colonel Tsorbas declined to entertain the pro- posals and an angry scene ensued, Lieu tenant Tibaldos retiring to prepare for the revolt which followed today, and Colonel Tsorbas to inform Premier May romichalis
 The government, however, displayed curious hesitation. It took no steps to arrest Lieutenant Tibaldos and permitted him partly to carry out his plans be- fore any measures in opposition were taken. Even this morning, in order to prevent the shedding of blood the gov ernment dispatched friendly officer to endeayor to dissuade Tibaldos from his design.
 The troops that had been sent to oc- cunv coast points were able to prevent . number of Lieutenant Tibaldos com rades from joining him, and as he had hui few officers to man his torpedo boats he communicated the loyal fleet for his at tack.
 Not Very Serious.
 Ii was not very serious affair Vice Admiral Bubrris, who had command of the arsenal was without means of de- fense and was compelled to surrender when Lieutenant Tibaldos threatened to employ force
 At midnight troops still occupied the shores opposite the arsenal and were or dered to fire upon any of the mutineers uho attempted q landing. Further re-