Evening star., 1935-03-06
ARMY CONVERGES
ON GREEK REBELS.
insurgents Take Stand in
SaIonika in Retreat
Before Attack.

(Copyrisht. 1885, by the Associated Presso
ATHENS, March 6-Three loyal
divisions of the Greek Army, advanc-
ing from three separate directions,
drove forward today in an effort to
'liouidate" the rebel forces fighting
in Salonika with their backs to the
Aegean Sea.
Exultant over their success in last
nights battle in blasting the rebels
from the town of Seres, As miles
northeast of Salonika. the govern
nent forces were eager in renewing
their offensive.
Gen. George Kondylis, minister of
war. commanding the loyal troops,
chafed at bitter weather conditions
which temporarily held his massed
military strength in check.
Frontiers Guarded.
With decisive developments expected
momentarily. Turkey and Bulgaria
were uneasily guarding their frontiers
The tension caused by the massing
Of 10000 Turkish troops on the
Turko-Greek and Turko-B Bulgarian
boundaries was temporarily relieved
as the Turkish government informed
Greece through its Minister at An
kara that it hoped the revolt would
soon be quelled. The Turkish COM
munication condemned the insurgents
strongly.
Premier Tsaldaris voiced the gov
ernment's optimism in statement
saying:
From today the movement takes
a decisive turn. I can say categori-
cally that victory is absolutely as
sured."
Rebels Hit by Weather.
While Gen. Kondylis reported the
morale of his forces to be high, he
said the Wintry conditions prevailing
in the battle area were causing the
rebels acute suffering and interfering
with the transport of their supplies.
The battle at Seres. which routed
the rebels hopes for success, was
fought in torrential downpour which
transformed the scene of the conflict
into sea of mud
Casualties were not Immediately
ascertained
While the opposing forces poured
forth their blood in fratricidal strife
the civil war produced repercussions
In many sections of Europe and Asia.
Although there was no official ex-
planation of the Turkish troop con-
centration-which it was learned has
been in progress for month-unoff-
cial circles in Ankara suggested it
may have been prompted by advance
information that the Greek revolt
was intended.
Word of Turkeys action brought
expressions of grave concern from
the Bulgarian government.
If such measures are being taken"
Kosta Batoloff, the Bulgarian foreign
minister. said in Sofia, Il hope they
are not directed at Bulgaria
Precautions Taken.
While confirming reports that Bull
garia has strengthened its garrisons
along the Greek boundary, Batoloff
emphasized that the action was merely
precautionary W pIcFeIlI 1Icch GULL
batants from crossing the border.
Francois Pietri, the French minister
of the navy, was reported in dispatches
from Paris to have ordered the de-
stroyer Verdun to Piraeus, port OF
Athens, to protect French property.
Two French cruisers also were said to
be ready to speed to other Greek sea-
ports.
Great Britain ordered the battleship
Royal Sovereign from Malta to Pharle-
ron Bay to safeguard British interests.
The Yugoslav government, informa-
ton from Belgrade said, has acceded
to a request of Greek authorities to
hold Gen. Nicholas Plastiras, veteran
Greek revolutionary leader, if he
should attempt to cross into France
via the Yugoslav frontier.
Former Premier Eleutherios Con-
stantine Venizelos, whom the Greek
government has branded as the mad"
leader of the revolution, was reported
to be ready to flee from Crete and seek
haven in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Egyptian government was re-
duested by the Greek minister at
Alexandria to disarm the insurgents
in case they should seek to land there.