Evening star., 1940-10-28
Greek Proyocation
And British Threat
Blamed by Italians
Action Follows Rome's
Demund for Permission
To Occupy Bases

BY the Associated Press.
ROME, Oct 28.-Italy, charging
Greece with aiding Great Britain,
took action against her today after
serving an ultimatum demanding
permission for Fascist forces to oc-
cupy several strategic points in
Greek territory" for the duration
of the war.
Italian authorities said the meas
ures taken against Greece would be
announced later today. They de-
clared the action was necessary to
meet the situation caused by alleged
Greek provocation on the Albanian
frontier and grave British threat
to Greek independence"
The ultimatum was delivered in
Athens at am. 1t declared that
Italy had proof of Greek aid to
Britain, not only through the Brit
ish pledge to help defend Greece,
but also of explicit, precise engage
ments undertaken by the Greek
government to put at the disposal
of powers at war with Italy i'm
portant. strategic positions on Greek
territory, including air bases in
TeSSaglia and Macedonia, designed
for attack on Albanian territory"
Bases Reported. Sought.
Air and naval bases particularly
were sought by Italy, it was re-
ported reliably.
Premier Mussolini and Adolf Hit
Ter had met in Florence today be-
fore the ultimatum was made public
In this country.
Their purpose was reported to be
a discussion of all problems involved
in the new spread of hostilities to
the Balkans.
AS the ultimatum became known,
crowds of Fascist Blackshirts gath
cred in the Piazza della Signoria in
Florence at S pm. and Hitler and
Mussolini appeared twice on the
balcony of the Palazzo Vecchio, &C
companied by Wallets in medieval
costume.
Both axis leaders refrained from
speech-making, however.
The ultimatum specifically &C
cused Greece of opening her terri
torial waters, coasts and ports to
the British fleet, of helping supply
Brltain's air forces and of permit
ting organization in the Greek
archipelago of a military informa-
ton service detrimental to Italy.
Measures Forced, They Say.
THE latest Greek provocations
especially on the Albanian frontier.
have greatly exaggerated the politi-
cal situation between Italy and
Greece" Italian authorities said.
Italy has been compelled to take
measures to face the dangers of
the situation"
English intrigues which have in
creased recently, especially at Ath-
ems and in Greek territorial waters,
are responsible for the situation.
They indicated a grave threat
to the Greek independence. Greece
has, in fact, recently fallen almost
completely under English influence.
Further Communication.
ut is not yet possible to say pre-
ciSely what measures have been
taken to deal with the situation, but
there will be further communi-
cation later today"
The newspaper II Messaggero re-
ported the Albanian cabinet had
adopted a resolution calling for
Greece's punishment" for alleged
attacks on Albania and sent the
message to Italian authorities.
II Giornale dItalia reported in
tense Greek troop activity in the
mountains along the Albanian from
tier.
The fire of Greek bivouacs red
dened the skies beyond the frontier
line of Konispoli toward Filati, the
newspaper said, while armed
bands" were reported near Perati.
Provocation Charged.
II Giornale declared Greece pro-
voked conflicts on the Albanian
frontier" in open completely with
England, which, the newspaper said,
planned to occupy Greek bases in
cluding Crete"
The newspapers editor, Virginio
Gayda, said the italian government
asked Greece to clarity the situa-
ton and respect the duties of neu-
trality," but Athens continued it's
completely with the British
until now its cup is full"
Gayda declared the Staying of the
/