Evening star., 1923-09-03

ment of the fort owning to the Greek
commander refusing to surrender eX-
cept to force. Although only few
shots were fred, the victims are
including some women who had
taken refuge in the fortress, in the
belief that il would he safer there.
While this was the natural target for
the Italian ships in their desire TO
scare civilians.
The Italian viewpoint is that the
Greek government Is primarily re-
sponslble for this blodshed. inasmuch
as it should have realized the neces-
Sity of giving Italy the satisfaction
demanded. thus avoiding complica-
tions. which were inevitable unless II
were possible to imagine that any
great power would allow insult 10
be added to injury.
Resentment is expressed mere al
the want OF sympathy ana tne nostiie
attitude shown by the majority or
the British newspapers. which ltai-
ians maintain cannot represent the
true feeling of the British nation. IL
is pointed out that on similar occa-
sions in their own history the British
have adopted more drastic measures
in order to protect the life and prop
erty of their subjects and uphoio the
dignity of the nation.
Reports from various sources pub
lished by the Italian newspapers lay
stress upon the responsibility OF the
Greek government for the massacre
of the Italian mission, and Col Bot
zaris, a member of the Greek mission,
is openly accused of having been the
instigator and actual organizer OF the
crime, which. declares the Corrlere
DItalia, was committed not by lr-
regular epirote bands, but by a pla-
toon of Greek soldiers commanded by
Greek officers.
Massacre Near Barracks.
II is declared that the massacre
occurred on a spot only 200 yards
from the headquarters of the loth
Battalion of Greek infantry. it Is
asserted by official Greek sources that
the nearest Greek platoon was nine
or ten kilometers distant.) There
fore, it is incomprehensib In the
view Of the Italian papers. that these
troops did not hear the firing when
the mission was attacked.
Indeed, it is charged. they pre-,
vented DIR. Viotti of the Geographical
Institute of Florence. attached to the
Albanian mission. from returning 10
investigate why the car bringing the
Italian mission. which should have
Followed the Albanians at COM
paratively short distance. failed TO
arrive.
The Italian press specifically states
that Col. Botzaria purposely re-
his orders to slaughter the Italians
to be carried out. arriving himse II
on the spot later to verify that the
ma ssacre was complete.
The Stefani semi-official news bu-
reau. as we'll as the newspapers.
recall bitter incident which oc-
CURED between Ger. Tellini and Col.
Botzaris. when Botzaris used threats
and menaces against Tellini because
of the attribution BY the Italian mis-
sion Of the village Of Promoneri to
Albania. On another occasion two
Greek officers removed landmarks. in
the delimitation of the Greco-Al-
banian frontier and Gen. Tellini de-
manded that Botzaris punish these
officers. The Greek commander lost
control of himself to such an extent
that he drew a revolver. pointing 1t
at Tellini. who calmly removed Bot
zaris' hand, saying: You are not an
officer or a gentleman; you are still
brigand."
Asked BotEnris Removal.
The same day Gen. Tellini tele-
graphed to the interallied council of
ambassadors at Paris, which had ap-
pointed the delimitation commission.
asking for the removal of Botzaris.
The Messaggero, emphasizing the