New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-01
French Officers Are
Expelled by Order
of Constantine
ENTENTE LEADER
READY TO ACT
Prepares to Seize Port of
Piraus and March
on Capital

London. Dec. liking Constan-
tine has defied the Allies. His answer
to the demand Of Vice-Admiral du
Fournet that Greece turn over her
arms to the Entente forces is def
mite refusal. AS if TO lend emphasis
to this refusal, the French officers,
who were placed in control OF the
and postoffices at Athens,
have been expelled.
The Allies are ready 10 enforce
their demands. Admiral du Fournet
has made all preparations to land
troops at Piraus, the port Of Athens,
to march on the Greek
capital. He is prepared to debark
men at other points.
An Athens dispatch to The
Chronicle" under date of November
80 quotes him as saying:
81 insist absolutely upon the exeeu-
ton of my demands and will see that
they are realized in spite Of all obsta-
cles. French, British and Italian de-
taehments will be landed at all points
necessary. will endeavor TO avoid
blcodshed, but will fulfil my mission
thoroughly"
Greek Garrison WRhdraws
Thus the Greek situation is more
menacng than ever. Drastic measures
the seizure Of the feet and the oc-
cupation of important points in Athens
were taken because the Allies feared
that King Constantine would join the
Teutons and threaten the flank OF Sar'
rails army in Macedonia.
That danger apparently is again st
hand and is more menacing than ever.
Dispatches from Athens say there is
growing state of anxiety in the capital.
The Greek garrison seems to have
withdrawn inland, taking arms, NUM-
tions and stores.
At the time of the last crisis, when
du Fournet found it necessary 10 take
over the Greek feet. the statement
was made that King Constantine's ad-
herents were sending arms and ammu-
milton northward TO Larisss, where an
attack on the Allied flank was planned
There is evidence that Constantines
generals have been mobilizing troops:
There was alarm in the streets OF
Athens yesterday when bands OF re-
seryists appeared. Later II was
learned that these had been called Tor
service.
King Calls Council of Officers
King Constantine, acting as COM
mander in chief OF the army, Wednes-
day morning called council OF the ON
GERS of the Athenian regiments at the
headquarters Of the lst Army corps
The King attended this conference.
Close on the heels OF this dispatea
came the announcement from the Grees
CO ,ital that General Dracos, IreeA
Minister of War, had resigned.
General Dracos will oe succeeded BY
the aged General Hazzopoulos, who -
now IN Corfu. Until he returns 10
Athens the war portfolio will be admin
istered by Alexander rsel0s, Minister
Of the Interior.
Admiral du Fournet's determination
is borne out By the Athens CORE
spondent of "The Daily Mail who IN
terviewed the vice-admiral aboard his
flagship. and quotes him similarly 20
the correspondent of "The Chronicle
The admiral said that he did not IN
tend either TO seize the arms or nre
upon the Greek troops, but declared
that. unless the guns were sur
rendered he would land large detacn-
ments. which would not re-embark un-
iii his demands were complied with.
Other coercive measures would De
taken at the same time.
Has Ample Forces
"As have most ample forces at
my disposal" the admiral said, and
some of it the heaviest and most
nowerful artillery in existence, | can
see no reason why the arms VIII not
be quietly given up
The situation Wednesday was De
scribed in these dispatches from the
Greek capital:
"Premier Lsmbros declares the situa
ton is unchanged. The decision OF the
Crown Council to support the govern
ment in opposing the demands OF the
Entente Allies for the surrender o.
arms and munitions probably VIII be
formulated into a verbal note for deliy~
ery TO Vice Admiral du Fournet. In re
sponse to his statement that he would
insist on delivery OF the war materials.
Says Order Will Be Maintained
According to an Entente diplomat.
King Constantine has given assurances
10 Admiral du Fournet that order Will
be maintained Friday, the date OF the
expiration of the admiraPs ultimatum
for the surrender of the Greek artil-
Iery. The diplomat says that on the
other hand Admiral dr Fournet has
promised that the measures he will
take 10 induce compliance with his de-
mand will not include forcibie seizure
of arms"
Reuters correspondent says that the
appeal addressed by the Greek Govern
men. to neutral nations recapitulates
events in Greece since the outbreak OF
the war, which are represented as
trials supported with dignity" In
regard 10 the demand Il Vice Admiral
du Fournet, commander OF the Allied
squadron. for the surrender Of war
materials. the government says il Is
supported by the whole country in re
jee.ing the demand. which not only
wounds the national self-esteem but
infringes the sovereignty Of the nation.
Notwithstanding all that has hap
pened. the appeal says, the government
is confident Greece will emerge from
the crisis weakened. il is true. bu.
nevertheless able to reorganize ner
forces and fulfil her duty toward
Hellenism."