The San Francisco call., 1909-10-30
NAVAL WAR MARKS
REVOLT AT ATHENS
Lieutenant TibaIdOs Leads Tor
pedO Boats in Attack on
Greek Warships

ATHENS. Oct. 29.-After almost 1000
years-when Themistocles gained a
memorable victory over the Persians-
Salamis again today was the scene of
naval battle.
The fight lasted 20 minutes and was
between field batteries and big war
ships on one side and mutinous bands
of naval officers which quilted the
capital Wednesday with torpedo boats
on the other.
A sharp exchange of shells followed
the first shots. Some projectiles struck
the arsenal buildings, but only one
she'll hit a torpedo boat-the Sphen-
dona, which Immediately was enveloped
in cloud of smoke.
LITTLE DAMAGE TO VESSELS
The torpedo boats gradually retired
until they obtained shelter off the head
land, when firing ceased. The rebel yes
sells returned the fire of the warships
and field batteries, but apparently little
damage was done on either side The
rebels were led by Lieutenant Tibaldos
and are reported TO have numbered 300
men.
Athens remained quiet tonight. but
much suppressed excitement prevailed.
An official statement was issued, stat
ing that the arsenal, which was in the
hands of the rebels, had been recap
tured and that the mutinous torpedo
boats were expected to surrender.
CAUSE OF REVOLT
Lieutenant Tibaldos appeared to have
been actuated by his disapproval of the
tactics of the military league and the
junior naval officers in consenting to
negotiate a compromise of the ulti-
matum recently issued by the military
lao fOr an ort7in S11Snandiny all
promotion for FIVE years and abolition
of the posts of rear admiral, vice ad-
miral and Is places of lesser rank.
Tibaldos took a prominent part in the
military movement last August. He
was the first officer to go to the camp
at Goudi, outside the city, after the pre-
mier's refusal to receive a deputation
of officers, and he subsequently was ap
pointed commander of the rebel camp.
LEADER DECLARED MAD
The military leagues proclamation
disowning Tibaldos. who was in COM
mand of a flotilla of torpedo boats and
submarines and demanded the portfolio
Of minister of marine, aseribes his pre-
tensions to madness and the influence
of outsiders, and threatens to have him
court martialed for treason. The league
met late tonight to discuss its attitude
toward the naval officers who took part
in the fight. 1t is believed the league
is inclined to show them indulgence.
In the chamber of deputies today Pre-
mier Mavromichalis said the govern
ment was determined TO suppress the
outbreak by force. Happily the move.
ment was very limited The ministers.
he said were occupied in reforms in all
branches OF administration. and would
not neglect the navy. Therefore the
officers impatience was unjustified.
AT a meeting of the military league
yesterday Tibaldos said:
Il led the last revolt and without me
it would have failed. Now you abandon
me- but 1 will carry out a second re-
volt single handed
TROOPS WATCH ARSENAL
At midnight troops occupied the
shores opposite the arsenal, with or
ders to fire upon any of the mutineers
attempting to land
The palace and parliament buildings
are strongly guarded and throughout
the night soldiers were passing
through the streets.
Further reinforcements have been
summoned from the provinces.
The general opinion is that the mill
tary league has suffered a great loss
in prestige by reason of today's events
and may be compelled to proclaim a
dictatorship.
1t is officially announced that only
two men of the loyal fleet We're wound
ed Losses to the mutineers is not
known. One of their torpedo boats was
disabled and another fled in the d.rec-
tion of Eleusys, on the bay of Levsina
A third reached the Phoros naval sta
ton, where it met with a hostile re-
ception and again put to sea-
The loyal feet tonight was cruising
off Piraeus to prevent any attempt at
landing or an attack on the town and
also TO close the Salamis straits.
Former Premier Rails tonight pre-
dicted the crisis would result in the
overthrow of the government and the
entrance of the military league into