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Corfu. The receipt of the Greek note in Italy fanned the public temper to white heat. Numerous violent actions against Greeks occurred from one end of Italy to the other. The Italian Government, which had previously mobilized the fleet at Taranto (in the arch of the Italian boot) refused to accept the Greek reply and ordered its men-of-war to Corfu, a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, west of Greece. On arrival, an Italian naval captain was sent ashore to demand the surrender of the town of Corfu. The Greek Governor stated that he would ask for instructions from Athens before answering the Italian demand. The Italian declined to consider this proposal, and with only ten minutes' notice to the civilian population, the Italian fleet, assisted by seaplanes, bombarded the town, causing about 65 casualties, destroying several buildings. The Greeks offered no resistance. Within an hour troops were landed and the Italian flag was hoisted over the fort in Corfu. Occupation of neighboring islands (Paxos, Antipaxos, Cephalonia, Samos) was then undertaken.
The Italian Government continued to pour troops into Corfu after the occupation. The customs were seized by the Italians and the Greek Govenment was informed that it must pay for the cost of occupation. Upward of 5,000 soldiers were in occupation of the islands of Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, Cephalonia and Samos, while a large portion of the Italian fleet, including seaplanes, submarines, destroyers, and auxiliary craft were patrolling the area.
Albania. The Albanian Legation at Rome stated that the crime on the Janina road was carried out by Greeks, concluding its statement with: "It is an infamous calumny to suggest that the crime was committed by Albanians."
Appeal to League. The Greek Government (while stating that if driven to it, it would defend Greek shores from Italian invasion) instructed its delegate to the League of Nations, M. Nicholas Politis, to appeal to the League of Nations under Articles 12 and 15 of the League Covenant, which provides for arbitration of a dispute. Article 16, which provides for united pressure against a member of the League who has resorted to war in defiance of the articles of the Covenant, was not invoked.
London. News of the Italian occupation was received with some alarm in Britain's capital. The Italian action was generally condemned by the press. The Admiralty ordered the Mediterranean fleet to concentrate and prepare for any eventuality. Meanwhile the Government officially placed its trust in the League of Nations. A note advising Greece to rely upon the League was sent to Athens.
Paris. The Poincaré Government was forced by circumstances to divert its attention from Ruhr rumbles to Italo-Greek growls. Premier Poincaré was active in preventing war by counselling the interested Powers to maintain the status quo pending the Council of Ambassadors' (not the League's) decision. He also sent an advisory note to Greece to the same effect. In the event of war, France's position is uncertain. The Parisian press is divided on the trouble, the Left and Left-Centre newspapers being pro-Greek, while the Right and Right-Centre journals are pro-Italian. The situation is being watched by France with extreme anxiety.