El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-04-13
BRITISH HOLD
GRECIAN TOWN
Saloniki as British as Lon
don; Greeks Hate British
for Oppression.

Zurich, Switzerland. April 13-A
leading Swiss correspondent writes
from Athens:
The allied troops have taken entire
control Of commerce in Salonibi and do
not even permit the unloading OF
Greek ships in the harbOr. Only firms
financed by English and French capi-
talists are permitted to do business.
Most of the Greek, Jewish or Turkish
importers and merchants have been
compelled to close their warehouses
and stores.
The cost Of living at SalonilSi has
increased enormously. but fOOdstuffs
and Injuries can still he obtained
cheaply enough. if one knows how to
do It. The English soldiers carry large
quantities of flour, rice sugar, tea,
chocolate, canned meats. vegetables
and candles away from the barracks
and sell these goods for almost any
price they can get Lately the British
commander has made an effort to stop
this traffic, but without much sue
cess.
Greek City is British.
SalOniki today is practically
British city. In the streets cafes and
restaurants nothing but the English
language is heard. The French troops
have mostly been sent to the outskirts
and to the frontier in the north. The
entire administration Of the city, to-
gether with the post and telegraph
in the hands Of the English, and the
Greek authorities no longer have any
thing to say.
Among the population there is still
a good deal of friendly feeling for the
French, but the British are generally
disliked and even hated on account Of
their Overbearing ways and their I'M
concealed contempt for the Greeks
The allied armies in Macedonia con-
sist of about 100000 men. of whom
10000 are Britishers The French
troops consist mostly of Algerians,
Turcos. Tunisians and regiments from
IndO-China, but lately about 90 600 real
trenchmen have arrived. There are
also many Serbian soldiers in Saloniki,
but they are only used 10 dig trenches
and build Notifications around the
city. The English do not fraternize
with them and only a few Of their
OFFICERS who know the country thor
ougly have been permitted to enter the
British army.
Strong FortificntiOns.
The Qualifications erected around
the city are immensely strong. and
neutral military men who have seen
them believe that they cannot be taken
by the Germans, Austrians and Bull
gar1ans Every hill within a radius Of
40 miles east, north and west of Sa-
ioniki has been transformed into an
lmpregnable fortress and the allies
possess an enormous number Of heavy
guns. Their lines of communication
are organized and protected excellent
" Even If the Germans. Austrians
ana Bulgarians succeed in breaking
down the defences, the English and
French armies could not be driven into
the sea, as they have secured a very
good line Of retreat through the penfn-
sula OF Chalcidice.
Hardly one Of the allied commanders
believes the central powers and Bull
garia viii risk an offensive against
saloniki. The English and French
troops feel themselves perfectly safe
4nd the British are preparing for a
The population is beginning TO fear
mat Salonih will remain English and ,
me government in Athens has almost
gwen up hope that the Macedonian
55edp9rt ana the Greek islands occupied /
by the Allies will ever be evacuated
after the war