The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-28
Italian Forces Open
Their Attack at Dawn
Ccontinued From Page u

tie first air raid alarm sounded at
z Q. M, one hour after the expira-
fion Of an italian ultimatum de-
manding permission to occupy the
country.
But as popular enthusiasm rose
and the news came that the men at
the front were resisting Stoutly,
people stood In the streets and
cheered at the sound of their guns
during succeeding alarms.
Thousands of Greek, British.
Turkish and American flags APP
peared in the streets.
Schools were closed at government
order so that children could take
shelter.
Thousands of reserve f1remen and
policemen were called out and air
raid workers went on duty.
High Command Communicate
News of the outbreak of fighting
came in a high command communl-
que.
The attack was made, according
to the communique, half an hour
before the expiration of a three
hour Italian ultimatum demanding
that italian troops be permitted to
occupy Greek territory as they saw
1T.
General John MetaXas, the coun-
try's strong man and premier, con-
ferred with the British ambassador,
the Jugoslav minister and the Turk
ish ambassador in quick succession.
There were enthusiastic demon
strations before the British, Amer
lean, Turkish and Russian embas-
sizes.
At the italian legation, diploma
tic and consular staffs and prom
inent Italians awaited evacuation.
King George drove through the
streets of Athens to the wild cheers
of his subjects.
Premier Metaxas conferred with
the British, Jugoslav and Turkish
ministers this morning. (There had
been reports that Turkey would aid
Greece in event of aggression).
Enthusiastic demonstrations were
held in front of the United States,
British, Turkish and Soviet embas-
sizes. The demonstrators cheered and
shouted before the embassy build
tngS all morning.
First COmmunique
In its first communique of the war
the high command said:
The Italians attacked at $50 a..
m. (10:30 p. m. Sunday EST the
Greek positions along the Albanian
frontier. Greek troops are resisting
Stubbornly."
King George and General John
Metaxas, the Greek strong man, or
dered general mobilization of the
armed forces and called on the men
and women of the country to defend
their freedom to the death.
An air raid alarm sent Athenians
fleeing for cover at a. m. (Midn-
night ESD, an hour after the ex-
piration of the italian ultimatum,
which MetaxaS had rejected.
Metxas told the Italian minister
who presented the ultimatum that
it was declaration of war against
Greece.
Firmly rejecting it, Metaxas called
the cabinet into session, ordered
gensral mobilization and made his
appeal to the nation for a last man
defense.
Greece had denied italian allega-
lions that Greeks had attacked out
posts on the Albanian frontier.
(Jugoslav reports said dissident
Albanian mountaineers made the at
tack.
Greek and italian officers met at
the frontier yesterday afternoon to
discuss incidents. The Greek COM
mander asked a second meeting to-
day, at which the Italian command
ant In the frontier area be present.
Final Note Handed
At 8 a. m. today e p. m. Sunday
EST Emanuel Grazzi, italian min
lister, handed to General Metaxas a
note expiring at 6 a. m. I'll p. m.
Sunday EST.
Italy demanded the surrender of
Greek territory for the occupation
by italian trops of such areas as
they specified.
The alternative was an Italian at