San Francisco Call Bulletin

November 23, 1916. Front page. This article is reprinted below.


Greece Defies Allies

(By Associated Press)
LONDON, Nov. 23, 1 p. m. - The Greek government has refused to comply with the demand of the entente allies for the surrender of part of its supplies of arms and ammunition, Reuter's Athens correspondent cables. The dispatch follows:

"The Greek government has refused the demands of Vice-Admiral du Fournet that Greece surrender eighteen field batteries, sixteen batteries of mountain artillery with 1000 shells for each; 40,000 Mannlichers, with 220 cartridges for each; 140 machine guns, with ammunition, and fifty motor vans.

"Referring to Admiral du Fournet's contention that the cession of war material to the Bulgarians and Germans had disturbed the equilibrium, the government replies that although it does not desire to enter into the details of that operation, it must point out that the cabinet then in power could not approve resistance to the central powers without abandoning neutrality, but duly protested. It also contends that the guns already taken by the entente are modern, while those taken by Bulgaria were obselete.

"The reply concludes that the surrender of war material for financial compensation or otherwise would constitute a flagrant violation of neutrality, and, moreover, that public opinion would not admit of the forces of Greece being so neutralized as to unable to defend her vital interests if these were endangered.

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