New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-09-07
ITALIAN WRITER
GIVES HIS VIEWS
Luiei Barzlnl Describes Corfu
Incident in Detail

While all doubtless are following
the Greek Italy crisis with interest. u
Is probable that the Italian residents
OF the city are even more deeply In
terested than any others. except pos
sibly the Greeks. To this end the
Herald has been asked to publish the
accompanying article giving an ac-
count OF the Corfu incident. II Ia a
copyrighted article written by Luigi
Batzini. internationally known Italian
newspaperman. In the corriere d.
America. published In New York. The
item. headed The Truth. follows:
A considerable part OF the news
and comments Of the American Press
regarding the Italian Greek dispute
appear so discriminatory against Italy
that we feel obliged TO submit these
few facts to the English language
newspapers so that they may be able
. TO arrive at a more equitable conclu-
sion.
We are merely presenting In con-
densed form the official cables sent us
from Rome. which would have clear
ed the situation and justified Italy's
action. had Italy made them known
10 the world through well organ
lied information service. But Italy Is
not acquainted with the art Of propa-
ganda. and therein lies her fault.
The murder of the Italian Mission
IN Greece which Is at the root OF the
whole matter seems to have been for
gotten. The International Commission
appointed by the Ambassadors Coun-
Gil to fix the Albanian Greek border
line had caused frontier signs to be
placed on the ground. Col. Botzaris,
head of the Greek Mission, had order
ed his soldiers to remove few of
these frontier signs. General Tellini,
President of the Commission, made a
formal protest against Botzaris' action
and as result OF such protest he was
threatened with bodily harm by Col.
Botzaris.
Road Closed.
ON the day of the murder the usu-
ally much frequented road on which |
the crime was committed. had been
closed to traffic by patrols of Greek
NDldiers. The automobile bearing the |
Greek Mission, which usually prece-
ed the others, on that day remained |
behind and reached the spot one hour
later The Albanian Mission, which |
headed the party, reached the place |
where the work was to be done, and |
after having waited in vain for the
arrival of the Italian Mission, who i
had already been murdered. wanted
to turn back, but was stopped by
Greek soldiers Proceeding to the
Eearest Greek post, they were told by
an officer that some accident might
have happened as there were brigands
in the neighborhood." Not until eve
ming did the Greeks allow traffic to
be resumed on the road where the
crime had been perpetrated. In the
meantime Col. Botzaris had disap-
peared
Let America imagine an American
military mission murdered on Next
can territory, and consider whether
the Washington government would
not exact from Mexico INN ediate
satisfaction, as it did. by the way. on
a, similar occasion.
Itaiy's Demands.
Italy has sent an ultimatum con
tanning her demands. She has re-
an apology, a religious serv-
ice for the victims, a salute for the
Italian fag honors for the remains
OF the murdered men. the apprehend-
ing of the murderers, their capital
punishment and an indemnity. Greece
has refused to comply with the last
three demands claiming that they
are offensive, land the refusal has
been followed by the occupation of
the island of Corfu to be held in
pledge,
Italy has allowed both the Italian
and foreign press free access to Cor
fu where the correspondents were
landed yesterday and the first reports
arrived today concerning the lombard
ment.
The Italian officer who landed in
Corfu demanded the surrender of the
Island, the garrison and all military
stores, according to International
rules The Greek Project civilian