"The Times", Chamuria 1923
ALBANIANS’S EXPLUSION FROM GREECE
To the editor of the times
Sir,-Appeals have been sent out to the whole civilized world asking for assistance for the tens of thousands of unfortunate Greek refuges whom the warlike folly of their own Government has caused to be driven back into Greek territory.
The Near and Middle East Association had already taken active steps in the matter and had endeavored to obtain from the British Government the allocation of a substantial sum from the unissued portion of the Greek loan for the relief of the immediate wants of the sufferers. Since taking this action the Association has learnt with dismay from the Albanian Minister in London that the Greek Government is expelling with violence and cruelty Albanian residents in Greece, especially in the district of Chamuria; that the houses, lands and goods of these Albanians are being seized, and that Greek refugees are being installed in their home-stead.
While the plight of the Greek refugees is pitiable in the extreme, it is obviously unjust that these sufferers should be the cause of further suffering to others through the mistaken policy of their Government. Therefore in the interests of all those who, for humanitarian reasons, are giving time and money for the relief of the distress in the Near East, we would urge that steps should immediately be taken to obtain a satisfactory assurance from the Greek Government that these outrages have ceased, and that the Albanian victims shall be reinstated in their homes and fully compensated for their losses.
Yours truly, EDWARD GLEICHEN
AUBREY HERBERT
Near and Middle East Association, 7, St. James’s-terrace, N.Ë.8, Jan.10