Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-10
GREEK NEUTRALITY
IS ALONE DESIRED
Central Powers Have Brought
No Pressure on Athens,
Vienna Reports.
WOULD ATTACK ALLIES
UPON Hellenic SOIL
Grant to Entente Entities Teutons
and Bulgars to Act Likewise,
Is Claim.

! VIENNA, by courier to Berlin. Deem
| Der 3, via London, December 10.-It is
authoritatively stated here that the
central powers have brought no pres
sure whatever to bear on Greece. The
| view is held that the position of Greece
| is difficult in the highest degree and
that the Greek government is endeav-
oring to preserve not only neutrality.
| but complete independence. The posi-
/, ton is taken here. therefore, that pres
| sure upon Greece is hardly called for
| and would even be useless SO long as
the Athens government is able to as
| sert it's own interests.
! The interest of the central powers, it
is stated. is merely that Greece shall
remain neutral no more and no less.
| Considering the condition Of the coun-
try and that the Greek government it,
self sees that it is for the welfare of
the Hellenic people to remain neutral.
the central powers, it is asserted, have
no occasion to bring pressure to bear
in Athens.
Claim Similar Rights.
1t is held by officials that inasmuch
as Greece gave her consent for the
entente powers to send troops across
Greek territory and to take other mill
tary steps. this created right for the
Teutonic and Bulgarian troops to do
the same Military experts here ex-
press the belief that the entente pow
ers hardly will try to make good their
reported threat to create a Gibraltar
out of Saloniki, the geographical and
political situation of that place being
regarded as untitled for defensive pur-
hn ont to al
should try in this manner to create a
base. it is declared, the artillery that
reduced Antwerp would have some
! thing to say. The entente allies would
undertaking in the Balkans would be
too great for the central powers.
Would Respect Interests.
The interests of Greece would In any
case be respected, it is stated. but the
entente troops on Greek territory would
be attacked energetically, which course,
it is maintained, nobody could condemn.
The delimitation of the arena Of war
would then be Greece's affair. and
would depend upon the movements of
the entente troops.
The utmost confidence is expressed in
authoritative quarters here concerning
the Balkan situation. since the central
powers, 1T Is claimed, are able to con-
front whatever forces the entente allies
land at Saloniki or elsewhere with
forces greatly superior in numbers. The
lines of communication for the central
allies and the Bulgarians already are in
good condition, which is hardly the
case with the entente allies, 1t is said.
Restrictions on Commerce.
LONDON, December 10.-Reuter's
Athens correspondent telegraphs that
on account of restrictions placed by
Great Britain on the foreign commerce
of Greece several steamship lines, In
Guiding those subventioned by the gov
eminent for the postal service, con-
template suspension of business. coal
famine is feared, and the correspondent
says Greece has called the attention of
Great Britain to the grave consequences
entailed by prohibition Of Importation
of coal from England, notwithstanding
the orders placed in America.
The British legation at Athens has
published a list of articles liable to
seizure at sea and submission to prize
court unless accompanied by consular
certificates esta blishing the fact that
they have not come from countries hos
tile to the allies.
Told to Be Ready to Quit Athens.
PARIS, December 1o.-The Athens
correspondent of the Havas Agency
sends the following under date Of
Thursday:
1.-The paper Ethnos announces that
the Austrian and Turkish officials have
advised the subjects of those nations
to be ready to leave the city Of Athens
The newspapers have renewed the dis
cussion of reported approaching
partial rehabilitation Of the army
The report is unconfrmed, but it is
said the general staff is considering
the best measure to accomplish it."