Evening star., 1948-01-13
3 saTHE EVENING STAR, Washington, D. C..
TUESDAY, l3,
Greeks Launch Drive
lon Rebels IS Miles
| Northwest Of Athens
BY the Associofed Press

ATHENS, Jan. ia Greek
offensive was launched today
against a force of 800 guerrillas
on famed Mount Parnassus, IS
miles northwest of Athens, with
an amphibious operation from
the Gulf of Corinth.
A military spokesman said the
forces expected to annihilate the
band. Commando units moved
ashore near the Port Of Irantini
from destroyers, gunboats and Coast
Guard vessels before dawn and
occupied heights guarding passes
used by the Guerrillas. Troops,
police and the air force began at
tacks farther inland.
The Guerrillas were active par
ticularly during the late summer,
raiding towns near the Northern
coast of the Gulf of Corinth.
Agree to Credit Controls.
Dwight P. Griswold, chief Of the
American mission to aid Greece,
said the Greeks had agreed to i'm
pose controls on bank credits to
combat imitation and to take other
action to "help themselves"
Mr.. Griswold's statement was made
at a news conference. The mission
is administering a $500, ,000, 900 Amer
ican aid fund.
An authoritative source said large
sums of money had been loaned by
banks to industrialists for produc-
tive purposes and that the loans,
instead of being repaid, are being
used for speculative purposes.
1t was learned that the mission
sent memorandum to the govern
ment several days ago charging War
Minister George Stratos with lack
Of cooperation and suggesting that,
unless his attitude changes, he be
removed. The latter part Of the
memorandum later was recalled, but
an authoritative source said the
missions thinking In this matter
has not changed"
The same informant said Mr..
Stratos had been running the War
Ministry without consulting the
military or civilian section Of the
American mission.
In one instance, the informant
said, the mission had requested in
formation on negotiations for the
purchase Of 10000 rifles from an
English source, and Mr. Stratos was
reported to have written a letter
saying 1t was none of the Missions
business.
The mission later approved the
purchase Of the rifles on condition
that no foreign exchange be
granted and that the arms 60 di-
rectly to the War Ministry and not
to private individuals. The mission
was told that the purchase, involv-
ing about $3,000,e GOO. was being
financed by private" donors abroad.
Preparations May Change.
The same informant said an
agreement had been reached on q
plan for better distribution Of the
MISSIONS supplies, particularly In
rural areas. He said there would be
closer coordination between Army
and civilian agencies, particularly
in regard to Army transport fa-I
cfiities ~ >S''zSsa
Mr.. Griswold said discussion will
be started soon on possible revision
of italian reparations to Greece,
particularly. on the award OF the,
liners VfIfeafaia and Saturnias Mr..
Griswold said the maritime section
or the mession feels that Greece
does not need these large liners but
could use other types Of vessels and
that this likely will be one Of the
items discussed.
He said there Is no Sign that
Greece will surrender any repara-
tions claims, but she may be amen
able tn trading