Evening star., 1945-01-16
Churchill
Continued From First pae.

Greece, and whether the British
government supports Gen. Plastiras
on that policy, and intends that
British troops and British arms
shall be used for that purpose
Mr.. Churchill replied, Il won't be
drawn into this" But Mr. Shinwell
then asked whether Mr.. Churchill
would deal later with '.the declara-
ton made by Gen. Scobie with re-
gard to he position of minorities in
Greece, and whether Gen. Scobie
was entitled as a military officer to
deal with political affairs"
Il think he has done admirably -
Mr.. Churchill replied and the House
broke into cheers.
Il read what he said" Mr..
Churchill added. His impromptu
remarks seem to have been singu-
larly well chosen when replying to
the applause of enormous crowds
which have streamed past his head
quarters"
They were shouting for the re-
turn of the monarchy" Mr.. Shin
well asserted. ...s..t.. b. ans,..,a,
.~ 500 : Promises Statement. -
Concerning the tangled Greek Sit
uation, Mr. Churchill said. II should
be glad if members will be good
enough to await a statement which
will be made on behalf of the gov
ernment in the course Of the coming
debate" ,.-a.o,.s .,a+a,
The Prime Minister announced
that British casualties in Greece
between December 3 and January
1.-The period covering the major
part of the Greek civil war-to--
tailed 2,l01, of whom 237 were killed.
Mr.. Churchill had brief oral
sparring match with Mr.. GALLAGHER.
When Mr.. GALLAGHER asked
whether the House could expect "a
better balanced statement" on
Greece than that given by the
Prime Minister before the Christ
mas recess, Mr.. Churchill replied:
Mr.. GALLAGHER must not get too
excited about these matters or he
will fall into the danger of a Trot-
skyite deviation to the left"
Continued questions about state
ments made by the new leaders OF
Greece brought from Mr.. Churchill
the comment:
ct cannot be responsible for the
day to day remarks that are made
by the head of the Greek govern
ment"
Il have every reason to believe
that the present government in
Greece is extremely democratic" he
added. "As a matter Of fact I be-
lieve it is composed entirely Of re-
publicans.
= Admits Provocation.
"Is not the Prime Minister en-
couraging Gen. Plastiras to make
these truculent remarks by his own
truculent observations calling them
(the armed opposition) bandits and
all the rest of it?" asked Mr.. Shin
we'll.
Il have been sometimes provoked
I admit" Mr.. Churchill said, when
I have seen the efforts made by
some people in this house greatly
add to the difficulties of our troops" I"
Asked on whose authority news
paper correspondents in Greece were
prevented from interviewing mem
bers of the ELIAS forces, Mr..
Churchill said that when the dele
gates came from the lines they were
given safe conduct by the COM
mander in chief.
"It would therefore be Irregular y
he said, "for him to allow them to
see any person other than himself
or his duly authorized representa-
tive. Such delegates remain under
guard until they return to their own
lines.
while fighting is in progress it
would obviously be undesirable for
persons to cross into ELIAS territory
and in fact only international Red
Cross representatives are allowed
to do so.'
Capt. John Dugdale, Laborite,
asked the Prime Minister why, in
view of his own. experience as war
correspondent, he "does not trust
British war correspondents to re-
port fully and frankly and with a
due sense of responsibility" !.
Mr.. Churchill replied: II really
am not going to attempt to give a
general measure of complete con-
fidence to all war correspondents,
wherever they may be and from
whatever country they derive. Now
I am always doubtful about corre-
spondents who come from one side
to another across the fighting lines. !"