The New York Times/1916/11/22/Expelled Diplomats to Quit Greece Today
EXPELLED DIPLOMATS TO QUIT GREECE TODAY
Greek Crown Council Decides “in Principle” to Reject Allied Demand for Armaments.
LONDON, Nov. 21.—A request for delay until Saturday by the diplomatic representatives of the Central Empires, who were ordered by the Entente to leave Greece, has been refused, and all of them will leave Athens tomorrow morning, a dispatch to Reuter’s Telegram Company from Athens says.
An earlier dispatch from the same source, dated yesterday, read:
“The main discussion at this morning’s session of the Crown Council was regarding the refusal of the Austrian and German Ministers to accept Vice Admiral du Fournet’s notice to leave Greece and the attitude to be taken by King Constantine in the event of their demanding his protection.
“It is learned that Premier Briand of France, in a telegram to the King, suggested that in order to emerge from his present difficulties he seek a reconciliation with former Premier Venizelos and declare war on Bulgaria.”
Other advices say that the Crown Council has decided in principle to refuse to surrender the arms and munitions of Greece to the Allies, as demanded by Vice Admiral du Fournet, commander of the Allied fleet. King Constantine, on leaving the Palace after the meeting, was cheered by a crowd. It is understood that Premier Lambros will remain in power for the present.
It is learned that while the suggestion of Aristide Briand, the French Premier, that King Constantine recall former Premier Venizelos is meeting with opposition in Athens, sentiment in favor of the King accepting the other principal suggestion, namely, that he declare war on Bulgaria, is growing.
As the Lambros Cabinet is a purely service one, it is understood to be the opinion of the King that it should be replaced by a Cabinet representing at least the present Boule, (legislative assembly.) Therefore the resignation of the Ministry is under consideration, to be followed by a reorganized Kalogeropoulos Cabinet along lines informally suggested by the King to the Entente Powers on Sept. 21.
It is further understood that the King proposes to consult with the Entente Powers with a view to avoiding such a failure as occurred in the case of the Ministry under Premier Kalogeropoulos.
War Sentiment in Greece Growing.
ATHENS, Nov. 20, (via London, Nov. 21.)—This morning the Secretary of the American Legation, Sheldon Whitehouse, had a conference with the Turkish, Bulgarian, and Austrian Ministers with reference to the United States taking over the interests of their nationals. The Dutch minister will be charged with the care of the German interests.
According to information from the highest source furnished to The Associated Press, King Constantine does not object to the departure of the Ministers, but does not desire to be put into the position of refusing to afford them protection if they demand it.