Evening star., 1935-03-08

Copyright. 1888. by the Associated Press.>
ATHENS, March 8.-Gen. George
Kondylis today began an offensive
against the rebel forces in the Struma
Valley. hurting against them q H.
plane bombing attack.
A revolt within the revolt was re-
ported as advices were received of in
ternal trouble spreading in the rebel
ranks. The soldiers. it was reported
were demanding arrangement whereby
the command be passed to non-com-
missioned officers.
The government announced today
that q wireless message had been in
tercepted indicating that the rebels
were "at the end of their rope" and
ready to capitulate.
The message, reputedly from Gen
Demetrius Kamanos, rebel leader. was
said to have been addressed to his
aides in other sectors.
Gen. Kondylis, who dropped his war
portfolio to direct the government s
action. was handicapped by heavy
weather and faced further dificul-
ties in the Struma River section be-
cause the stream. swollen by rains
and melting snow overfiowed its banks
and flooded entire districts.
Sole news of the operations Of the
rebel fleet indicated it was resorting
to reprisals as result of the Turkish
embargo on Greek ships placed at
the request of the Athens government.
A report from Istanmul said the
rebel flagship Averoff had stopped the
Turkish steamer Konia,' which was en-
route to Smyrna, and conducted 1t to
Mytilene.
Gen. Kondylis unleashed his plane
attack after Premier Tsaldaris re-
ceived report from the minister of
war that yesterdays aerial efforts
were in vain"
During the previous efforts two of
the planes were forced to return be-
cause Of fog and one fell in a gale.
The crew were saved by using para
chutes. Gen. Kondylis said: THE
action has been feeble. We have been
working on uniting the organization
Gen. Panagiotakos has Just returned
from the front and says our army's
morale is excellent.
In another declaration Kondylis
reiterated that the government troops
will occupy Kavalla "48 hours after
the weather permits an attack" and
declared "Venizelos has lost the
game" because the government has
control Of Athens. Larissa and Sa-
lonika, Greece'S principal centers.
Residents OF Athens, alarmed at the
prospect Of q rebel bombardment of
the ancient capital. f1ocked today to
the comparative safety of outlying
districts.
Every available piece of artillery
was mounted on the ramparts of
Piraeus. the city's seaport, to repel
the expected attack.
Apprehension approaching terror
gripped the populace despite the gov
ernment's assurances that there was
nothing to be feared"
In q statement to the Associated
Press, Premier Tsaldaris said his gov
ernment does not fear the rebellion.
The exodus from the city started
at dawn, families streaming toward
the suburbs carrying basket lunches.
Anxiety increased with daylight, since
lighthouse beacons along the entire
Aegean sea board were extinguished
during the night as a precaution
against a naval assault.
The Athenians' concern was caused
by reports that Admiral Desmetichas,
commanding the insurgent fleet. had
delivered an ultimatum to the Greek
government that he would shell the
city unless Premier Tsaldaris resigned
and delivered the reins of government
into the hands Of former Premier
Eleutherios Constantine Venizelos.
Reports from Eastern Macedonia
that heavy snowfall still impeded the
advance Of the loyalist troops heavy
artillery had dashed the governments
hopes that Gen. Kondylis could launch
Immediately his major offensive to
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