Evening star., 1923-09-01
Isle Bombardment
Held War Move.
by England.
APPREHENSION FELT
in HIGHEST CIRCLES
Hopes to Avoid Actual
Involvement Unless
Move Is Vital.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ATHENS, September 1.-Greece
will abide by the decision of the
league of nations in the dispute
with Italy, Premier Gonatas an
nounced to the press after the
cabinet meeting today.
The premier said that the forts
the italian squadron had lombard
ed at Corfu had been placed at the
disposal of the Near East Relief
by the Greek government for the
housing of refugee orphans. The
premier announced officially that
some of the orphans were killed
and said that. although he did not
know the exact number, he under
stood 1t was fifteen.
BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, September 1.-Italy's ac-
ton in bombarding and occupying
Corfu in contravention of the neu-
trality of the island, guaranteed in
perpetuity by the treaty of 1864, in
which Great Britain ceded Corfu to
Greece. is considered in military and
diplomatic quarters in London as
tantamount to a declaration of war
upon Greece and as constituting a
fragrant violation of international law.
The greatest apprehension is felt
over possible further moves by Italy
If Italy should ignore the interven-
ton of the league of nations and the
independent efforts of the allied
council of ambassadors for an ami
cable solution of the crisis the mill
tary experts here see the danger Of
war spreading throughout south
eastern Europe.
Will Net Intervene Now.
Great Britain will intervene ac-
lively in the Greco-Italian imbroglio
only If Italy refuses to accept arbi-
tration by the league of nations, the
council of which meets at Geneva to-
day to consider the whole critical
situation.
1t is announced that the govern
ment thus far has not instructed the
British ambassador at Rome or the
diplomatic representative ct Athens
to use their good offices toward set
tlement of the dispute, 1t being felt
that the controversy for the moment
is one for the leauge to settle.
Meanwhile. however. the govern
ment is taking all prudent precau-
tions and measures to prevent Italy
making her occupation of Corfu per-
manent. in violation of the existing
neutrality agreement. Various units
of the powerful British Mediterranean
fleet, now released from service in
the Dardanelles, are within easy ac-
cess of Corfu and in a position to
block further moves by Italy If the
Rome government refuses to listen to
the league.
Set Against Involvement.
The whole trend of opinion in Eng
land, however, seems to be strongly
set against becoming involved in near
eastern complications if it can pos
sibly be avoided
1t is recalled that Jugoslavia is
linked by royal marriage to Greece
and. moreover, that Greece received
from Jugoslavia only a few months
ago certain promises of support in
the event of being attacked by an
other country, in return for which
Jugoslavia was given the use of
Salonfki as free port of entry for
arms of war and merchandise.
Allied observers also refer to the
u
and Italy over the Fiume and Dali
matian questions, which they regard
as an important moral factor in favor
of Greece if open hostilities should
ensue between Athens and Rome.
Rumania Also Has Ties.
Rumania also has dynastic ties with
Greece, it is pointed out, and in case
or declaration of war by Italy on the
Hellenic kingdom the Bucharest gov
ernment might be expected, In the
opinion of military men, to lend ac-
tive support to Greece.
There is no truth in a report that
the British Mediterranean squadron
has been ordered to Ionian waters.
1T was officially stated today. No spe-
clal movement of British ships has
occurred, officials said. and no vessels
nave been diverted from their ordi-
nary duties.
Italian reservists residing in Lon
don nave been notified to hold them
coIors In event the necessity arises.
Greek Legation Protests.
The Greek legation here issued the
following statement this morning:
The Greek legation has received
news that the Italian fleet bombarded
Corfu, which by treaty is neutral ter
ritory under international guarantee,
and that Italian shells killed several
refugees from Asia Minor who were
lodged in the school of police.
This school Is situated in the So
called fortress of Corfu which, how
ever, by virtue of the treaty, is un-
armed, the island being unfortified
and only some old barracks existing
there.
The Greek government, after the
rejection of it's note in which 1t of
fered Italy full and due satisfaction,
including indemnity to the families
of the victims of the crime committed
on Greek soil, made an urgent appeal
to the league of nations for interven-
tion on the basis of the express terms
of the league pact.
Called Flngrant Violation.
THE Greeks can not but consider
the occupation and bombardment of
the neutral island of Corfu as a
fragrant violation, not only of the
covenant of the league of nations, of
which both Greece and Italy are
signatories. but also of the Ionian is
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