Revision 163145638 of "Corfu incident" on dewiki

{{Distinguish|Corfu Channel Incident}}
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Corfu Incident
|image=[[File:Corfu from ISS.jpg|150px]]
|caption=Corfu, one of the [[Ionian Islands]]
|date=August 29, 1923 – September 27, 1923
|place=[[Corfu]], Greece
|coordinates = {{Coord|39|40|N|19|45|E}}
|map_type = Greece
|map_relief = yes 
|latitude = 39.619299
|longitude = 19.919585
|map_size = 370
|map_marksize = 10
|map_caption = 
|map_label   = Corfu
|result=Agreement between [[Italy]] and [[Greece]] under the auspices of the [[League of Nations]]
|combatant1 = {{flagicon|Italy|1861}} [[Italy]]
|combatant2 = {{flagicon|Greece|royal}} [[Greece]]
|commander1 = {{flagicon|Italy|1861}} [[Admiral]] Emilio Solari
|commander2 = 
| strength1   = 2 <ref name="Gooch 2007 45">{{cite book| last = Gooch| first = John | title = Mussolini and his Generals: The Armed Forces and Fascist Foreign Policy, 1922-1940| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=PXhlsFmFsGQC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false| publisher = [[Cambridge University Press]]|date=December 2007| page = 45| isbn = 0521856027}}</ref> or 3 [[battleships]] <br /> 
2<ref name="Gooch 2007 45"/> or 4 [[cruisers]] <br />  
5<ref name="Gooch 2007 45"/> or 6 [[destroyers]] <br/> 
2 [[Torpedo boats]] <ref name="Gooch 2007 45"/><br /> 
4 [[MAS (boat)|MAS boats]] <ref name="Gooch 2007 45"/><br /> 
2 [[submarines]] <ref name="Gooch 2007 45"/><br />
1 [[airship]] <ref name=NLA-54795961>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54795961 |title=BOMBARDMENT OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Morning Bulletin]] |location=Rockhampton, Qld. |date=1 October 1935 |accessdate=30 July 2013 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><br /> 
[[Military aircraft|airplanes]] <ref name="http">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qhtgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7G0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1277,480075&dq=italian+airplanes+in+corfu+1923&hl=en |title=GREEK FORT AT CORFU SHELLED BY ITALIAN WARSHIPS |newspaper=Rochester Evening Journal And The Post Express |date=4 September 1923 |page=2}}"Aeroplanes aided in the attack."</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TbdhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BWQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3659,6974035&dq=italians+landed+on+corfu&hl=en |title=CORFU OCCUPIED AFTER BOMBARDMENT; 15 GREEK CIVILIANS KILLED, MANY WOUNDED |newspaper=Providence News |date=1 September 1923 |page=37}}"As the landing of the Italians was carried out, fire also was opened from planes above the town."</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=TbdhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BWQNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3659,6974035&dq=italians+landed+on+corfu&hl=en |title=CORFU OCCUPIED AFTER BOMBARDMENT; 15 GREEK CIVILIANS KILLED, MANY WOUNDED |newspaper=Providence News |date=1 September 1923 |page=37}}"With  firing from the fleet and airplanes."</ref><br />
6 [[Artillery battery|batteries of light artillery]] <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19230905&id=sm0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6224,740955 |title=ITALIAN NAVY GUNS KILLED ARMENIANS ORPHANS IN CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Montreal Gazette]] |date=5 September 1923 |page=10}} "...and six batteries of light artillery."</ref><br />
5,000 <ref name=NLA-54795961/> or 8,000<ref name=NLA-1999809>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1999809 |title=LEAGUE CHALLENGED. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=6 September 1923 |accessdate=21 March 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Eight thousand troops were landed."</ref> or 10,000 <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19230905&id=sm0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6224,740955 |title=ITALIAN NAVY GUNS KILLED ARMENIANS ORPHANS IN CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Montreal Gazette]] |date=5 September 1923 |page=10}} "...when i left the Italians had landed 10,000 troops"</ref> troops

| strength2   = 150 (the Greek garrison)<ref name=NLA-45617953>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45617953 |title=5000 ITALIAN TROOPS HAVE LANDED AT CORFU GREEK GARRISON FLED. |newspaper=[[The Barrier Miner]] |location=Broken Hill, NSW |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=23 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
|casualties1 = none
|casualties2 = 16 civilians killed, 30 injured and 2 amputated<ref name="tovima.gr">{{cite web|url=http://www.tovima.gr/books-ideas/article/?aid=327944|title=Οταν οι Ιταλοί κατέλαβαν  την Κέρκυρα το 1923|work=TO BHMA}}</ref> or <br /> 20 civilians killed and 32 wounded.<ref name=NLA-54795961/><ref name=MMR-04-09-1923>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T1xHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qP4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5283,6079390&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en |title=American Scores Bombardment Of Corfu Civilians.|newspaper=Meriden Morning Record |date=4 September 1923  |page=1}} "the number killed reached twenty, nine of these were killed outright and eleven died at the hospital. Thirty-two wounded are now in hospitals and there were perhaps fifty slightly wounded."</ref>
}}

The '''Corfu Incident''' was a 1923 diplomatic and military crisis between the [[Kingdom of Greece]] and the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)|Kingdom of Italy]].

==Background==

There was a boundary dispute between Greece and [[Principality of Albania|Albania]].  The two nations took their dispute to the [[Conference of Ambassadors]], which created a commission of British, French, and Italian officials<ref name=NLA-65035758>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65035758 |title=THE ITALO-GREEK CRISIS. |newspaper=[[The Register (Adelaide)|The Register]] |location=Adelaide |date=15 October 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=11 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> to determine the boundary, which was authorized by the [[League of Nations]] to settle the dispute. The Italian General [[Enrico Tellini]] became the chairman of the commission.
From the outset of the negotiations, the relations between Greece and the commission were negative. Eventually the Greek delegate openly accused Tellini of working in favour of Albania's claims.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Brecher|first1=Michael|last2=Wilkenfeld|first2=Jonathan|title=A study of crisis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GjY7aV_6FPwC&pg=PA583|year=1997|publisher=[[University of Michigan Press]]|isbn=0-472-10806-9|page=583}}</ref>

==Tellini's murder==

On August 27, 1923 the Italian general Enrico Tellini, two of his aides, their interpreter and a chauffeur fell into an ambush and were assassinated by unknown assailants at the border crossing of [[Kakavia (border crossing)|Kakavia]], which is near the town of [[Ioannina]], within Greek territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GjY7aV_6FPwC&pg=PA583&dq=Tellini+Greeks+Protocol&as_brr=3#v=onepage&q=&f=false|title=A Study of Crisis|work=google.com}}</ref> The five victims were Enrico Tellini, Major Luigi Corti, Lieutenant Mario Bonacini, Albanian interpreter Thanassi Gheziri and the chauffeur Farnetti Remizio. None of the victims were robbed.<ref>{{cite book|last=Massock|first=Richard|title=Italy from Within|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxqHSvEfd_QC&pg=RA1-PA39&dq=enrico+tellini&lr=&as_brr=3&hl=en&cd=16#v=onepage&q=enrico%20tellini&f=false|year=2007|publisher=READ BOOKS|isbn=1-4067-2097-6}}</ref> 
The incident occurred close to the disputed border and therefore could have been carried out by either side.<ref name=Fellows>{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=99O-2XcUgjgC&pg=PT131&dq=tellini+1923+greek&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW66zppYPKAhUCxxQKHd9ODCAQ6AEIOTAE#v=onepage&q=tellini%201923%20greek&f=false| page=131| title=History for the IB Diploma: Peacemaking, Peacekeeping: International Relations 1918-36| author=	Fellows Nick | publisher=Cambridge University Press| year=2012| isbn=9781107613911| quote=Although the incident occurred close to the disputed border and could therefore have been carried out by either side, the Italians blamed the Greeks. }}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVYSBAAAQBAJ&pg=PT56&dq=tellini+1923+greek+murder&hl=el&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6_MqSuoPKAhWEThQKHcBzDKY4FBDoAQg2MAQ#v=onepage&q=tellini%201923%20greek%20murder&f=false| page=131| title=The League of Nations and the Organization of Peace| author= Housden Martyn  | publisher=Routledge| year=2014| isbn=9781317862215| quote=Unfortunately he was murdered, most likely by bandits. Although the culprits were never caught, reports were flashed to Mussolini blaming the Greek side}}</ref>

According to Italian newspapers and the official statement of the Albanian government, the attack was carried out by Greeks,<ref>Italy in the last fifteen hundred years: a concise history By Reinhold Schumann page 298 ([https://books.google.com/books?id=bP87AAAAMAAJ&q=enrico+tellini+1927&dq=enrico+tellini+1927&cd=1])</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93298948 |title=GREEK PLOT ALLEGED. |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |location=WA |date=31 August 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Italian newspapers declare that the murders were the result of deliberate ambuscade by Greeks—natives of Epirus, and will leave an indelible stain. The Albanian Legation in London has received a telegram from Tirana affirming that Greek armed bands were the assassins"</ref> while other sources, including the Greek government and its officials and the Romanian consul in Ioannina, attributed the murder to Albanian bandits.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=2k9pAAAAMAAJ&q=&pgis=1 Albania's Captives.] Pyrrhus J. Ruches. Argonaut, 1965 p. 120 "He had no trouble recognizing three of them. They were Major Lepenica, Nevruz Belo and Xhellaledin Aqif Feta, alias Daut Hohxa."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78068333 |title=ALBANIANS BLAMED. |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |location=Perth |date=31 August 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=7 Edition: THIRD EDITION |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Governor-General of Epirus, the Greek Delegation, and the Roumanian Consul in Janina, attribute the Telini crime to Albanians."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96042820 |title=MURDERED ITALIANS. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=17 September 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Exchange correspondent at Athens says the Court of Inquiry into the Janiria murders puts forward a suggestion that the Italian delegates were killed as an act of vengeance because during the Italian occupation of Vairona Colonel Tellini as Governor had several Albanians shot, including notables."</ref><ref name=NLA-54795961/><ref>{{cite book |last= Duggan|first= Christopher |title= The Force of Destiny: A History of Italy Since 1796 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lSRwOZ0Yxw8C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false |publisher= Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |date=April 2008 |page= 439 | isbn= 0618353674}} "...the killers (who had never caught) had almost certainly come from Albania,..."</ref><ref name="ElsieDestani2012">{{cite book|author1=Robert Elsie|author2=Bejtullah D. Destani|author3=Rudina Jasini|title=The Cham Albanians of Greece: A Documentary History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4IK9AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA360|date=18 December 2012|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=978-1-78076-000-1|page=360}}</ref>
Also, [[Reginald Leeper]], the British ambassador at Athens on 1945, in a letter to the British Foreign Secretary at April 1945 mention that the Greeks can blame [[Cham Albanians]] for the murder of General Tellini.<ref name="ElsieDestani2012"/>

==Italian and Greek reactions== 
Upon news of the murder, anti-Greek demonstrations broke out in Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31186323 |title=Italians Incensed. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 September 1924|accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=11 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Demonstrations against the Greeks are reported from all parts of Italy."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31186338 |title=GREEK FLAG BURNED. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=11 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} " Anti-Greek demonstrations continue in the Italian towns, notably in Trieste, where Nationalists and Fascists burned the Greek flag in the public square, and threw it into the sea. In Milan there were noisy scenes in front of the Greek Consulate, and demonstrators carried off a shield which bore a replica of the Greek arms."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96041838 |title=ITALIAN DEMANDS A MINIMUM. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Anti-Greek demonstrations are reported from all over Italy, and the police have been reinforced."</ref> The Greek newspapers were reported by Australian newspapers to "condemn unanimously the Tellini crime, and express friendly sentiments towards Italy. They hope that the Cabinet will give legitimate satisfaction to Italy without going beyond the limits of national dignity."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31186326 |title=Greek Press Views. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=1 May 2013 |page=11 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Greek newspapers condemn unanimously the Telini crime, and express friendly sentiments towards Italy. They hope that the Cabinet will give legitimate satisfaction to Italy without going beyond the limits of national dignity."</ref>

Italy sent an [[ultimatum]] to Greece on August 29, 1923, demanding: (1) a complete official apology at the Italian legation in Athens, (2) a solemn funeral in the Catholic cathedral in Athens in the presence of all the Greek government, (3) military honours for the bodies of the victims, (4) full honours by the Greek fleet to the Italian fleet which would be sent to Piraeus, (5) capital punishment for the guilty, (6) an [[reparation (legal)|indemnity]] of 50 million [[lira|lire]]<ref>{{cite book|title=GCSE History Notes|url=http://ejlilley.sdf-eu.org/historynotes.pdf|page=19}} "...blamed the Greeks and demanded 50 million lire in compensation"</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=23|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Enrico+tellini+murder&source=bl&ots=CLZLDHrhgj&sig=XKjO6aKN5x0ruVwgGDGLKavWSfw&hl=el&sa=X&ei=JEFDUdeWBtKW0QWNoYCACQ&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Enrico%20tellini%20murder&f=false}} "..., a 50 million lire penalty,..."</ref> within five days  of receipt of the note and (7) a strict inquiry, to be carried out quickly with the assistance of the Italian military attaché.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93298949 |title=TERMS OF ULTIMATUM. |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |location=WA |date=31 August 1923 |accessdate=16 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=23|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Enrico+tellini+murder&source=bl&ots=CLZLDHrhgj&sig=XKjO6aKN5x0ruVwgGDGLKavWSfw&hl=el&sa=X&ei=JEFDUdeWBtKW0QWNoYCACQ&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Enrico%20tellini%20murder&f=false}} "...demanding of the Greeks an apology, a funeral service for the victims, naval salutes for the Italian flag, a 50 million lire penalty, and a strict inquiry, to be carried out quickly with the assistance of the Italian military attaché."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17236859 |title=ITALY AND AFRICA. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=29 October 1935 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=10 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Two days later the Italian Minister at Athens forwarded to the Greek Government the following demands: An unreserved official apology, the holding of a solemn memorial service in the Catholic cathedral at Athens all the members of the Government to be present, the paying of honours to the Italian flag by the Greek navy, a drastic Inquiry into the assassination in the presence of the Royal Italian military attaché, capital punishment for the authors of the crime, military honours for the bodies of the victims, and an indemnity of 50,000,000 lire within five days of the presentation of the note."</ref> In addition, Italy demanded that Greece must reply to the ultimatum within 24 hours.<ref>{{cite book|last= Brecher|first = Michael|last2 = Wilkenfeld|first2 = Jonathan|title = A study of crisis|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GjY7aV_6FPwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false|publisher = [[University of Michigan Press]]|year = 1997|page = 583}}"...demanding compliance within 24 hours."</ref>

Greece replied to Italy on August 30, 1923, accepting four of the demands which with modifications were as follows: (1) The commandant of Piraeus would express the Greek Government's sorrow to the Italian Minister, (2) a memorial service will be held in the presence of members of the government, (3) on the same day a detachment of the guard would salute the Italian flag at the Italian legation, (4) the military would render honors to the remains of the victims when they were transferred to an Italian warship. The other demands were rejected on the ground that they would infringe the sovereignty and honor of Greece.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96041836 |title=THE ALBANIAN MURDERS. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=23|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Enrico+tellini+murder&source=bl&ots=CLZLDHrhgj&sig=XKjO6aKN5x0ruVwgGDGLKavWSfw&hl=el&sa=X&ei=JEFDUdeWBtKW0QWNoYCACQ&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Enrico%20tellini%20murder&f=false}} "Greece accepted all but the last two parts of the ultimatum, which appeared to violate its national sovereignty."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96041835 |title=GREECE WILL INDEMNIFY BEREAVED. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Government is ready to express profound sorrow and indemnify the bereaved families, but is not disposed to accept Italy's humiliating conditions."</ref> In addition, the Greek government declared its complete willingness to grant, as a measure of justice, an equitable indemnity to the families of the victims, and that it didn't accept an enquiry in the presence of the Italian military attaché but it would be pleased to accept any assistance which Colonel Perone (the Italian military attaché) might be able to lend by supplying any information likely to facilitate the discovery of the assassins.<ref>http://www.hillsdalesites.org/personal/hstewart/war/%281923-08-30%29%20Greek%20Reply%20to%20Italian%20Demands.pdf</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37202874 |title=Another European War Possible. |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)|The Advertiser]] |location=Adelaide |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=10 April 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}"The reply adds that it is impossible to accept the demands of capital punishment for those responsible and an indemnity of   500,000 or an enquiry in the presence of the Italian military attaché, but Greece will willingly accept Italian assistance in carrying out the investigations. The Greek Government are prepared to accord a just indemnity to the families of the victims."</ref>

[[Mussolini]] and the Italian cabinet were not satisfied with the reply of the Greek government and declared that it was unacceptable.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63782024 |title=WARLIKE ACT COMMITTED BY ITALY. |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)|The Mail]] |location=Adelaide |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Signor Mussolini (the Italian Premier) read the Greek reply to the Italian ultimatum to Cabinet, which declared that it was, unacceptable."</ref> The Italian press, including the opposition journals, endorsed Mussolini's demands and insisted that Greece must comply without discussion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63782197 |title=FRENCH FEELING FAVORS ITALY. |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)|The Mail]] |location=Adelaide |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Italian press, including the opposition journals, enthusiastically endorse Premier Mussolini's demands and insist that Greece must instantly comply without discussion."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96041826 |title=ITALIAN NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT GOVERNMENT. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The newspapers are unanimous in supporting the ultimatum."</ref><ref>{{cite book| last= Neville| first= Peter | title= Mussolini| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rleP5CVe070C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false| publisher= Routledge|date=December 2003| page= 93|isbn= 978-0415249904}}"Even his critic, Luigi Albertini, gave Mussolini full backing in ''Corriere della Sera''."</ref> Mussolini's decision was received with enthusiasm in all Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1338&dat=19230901&id=X8hXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=avQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6280,5089400 |title=TELL WHY CORFU WAS OCCUPIED |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location= Spokane, Washington|date=1 September 1923 |page=12}} "Mussolini's decision that the Greek reply could not be accepted, was received everywhere with greatest enthusiasm"</ref>

== Bombardment and occupation of Corfu ==

{{Location map | Greece
| caption = Location of Kakavia, where Enrico Tellini was murdered.
| relief = 
| label = Kakavia
| lat_deg = 39.912
| lon_deg = 20.358
}}

On August 31, 1923, a squadron of the [[Regia Marina|Italian Navy]] bombarded the Greek island of [[Corfu]] and landed 5000 <ref name=NLA-54795961/> or 8000 <ref name=NLA-1999809/> or 10,000<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19230905&id=sm0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6224,740955 |title=ITALIAN NAVY GUNS KILLED ARMENIANS ORPHANS IN CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Montreal Gazette]] |date=5 September 1923 |page=10}} "...when i left the Italians had landed 10,000 troops and six batteries of light artillery."</ref> troops.<ref name=NLA-54795961/> Airplanes aided in the attack.<ref name="http"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19230901&id=ALQgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WGkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2073,3825573&hl=en |title=Italians Bombard Corfu 15 Greeks Are Killed And Many Said To Be Wounded |newspaper=The Lewiston Daily Sun|date=1 September 1923}}"Fire also was opened from airplanes above the town."</ref> Italian fire was concentrated on the town's [[Old Fortress, Corfu|Old Fortress]], which had long been demilitarized and served as a shelter for [[Greek refugees|refugees from Asia Minor]], and on the [[Cities Police]] school at the [[New Fortress, Corfu|New Fortress]], which was also a refugee shelter.<ref name=NLA-1999809/> The bombardment lasted 15<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19230905&id=sm0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6224,740955 |title=ITALIAN NAVY GUNS KILLED ARMENIANS ORPHANS IN CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Montreal Gazette]] |date=5 September 1923 |page=10}} "The bombardment lasted 15 minutes..."</ref> or 30 <ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ymhcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=nVYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2018,1001690&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en |title=WAR CRISIS IN EUROPE. |newspaper=Aurora Daily Star|date=1 September 1923 |page=1}} "Fort at Corfu bombard for 30minutes."</ref> minutes. As a result of the bombardment 16 civilians were killed, 30 injured and two had limbs amputated,<ref name="tovima.gr"/> while according to other sources 20 were killed and 32 wounded.<ref name=NLA-54795961/><ref name=MMR-04-09-1923/> There were no soldiers reported among the victims, all of whom were refugees and orphans.<ref name=NLA-54795961/> The majority of those killed were children.<ref name=NLA-54795961/> The Commissioner of the [[Save the Children Fund]] described the bombing as "inhuman and revolting, unjustifiable and unnecessary. <ref>{{cite book|author=William Miller|title=The Ottoman Empire and Its Successors, 1801-1927|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hj8sBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA548|date=12 October 2012|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-26039-1|page=548}}</ref>

The prefect of Corfu, Petros Evripaios, and Greek officers and officials were arrested by the Italians<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T2ANAAAAIBAJ&pg=4163,644905&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en |title=Killing Of 15 Greeks, Occupation Of Corfu, Brings Serious Crisis. |newspaper=The Washington Reporter|date=1 September 1923 |page=1}} "The Prefect and Greek officers who remained in the fort were arrested by the Italians"</ref> and detained aboard an Italian warship.<ref name=EFP-01-09-1923>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7vZiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=pXMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6856,2910506&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en|title=BOMBARDMENT OF CORFU CONSIDERED DECLARATION OF WAR. |newspaper=Easton Free Press|date=1 September 1923 |page=3}} "The governor of Corfu and ten officers are being detained abroad an Italian warship [...] while the garrison of 150 men retired to the interior of the island."</ref> The Greek garrison of 150 men<ref name=EFP-01-09-1923/> did not surrender but retired to the interior of the island.<ref name=NLA-45617953/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4zheAAAAIBAJ&sjid=T2ANAAAAIBAJ&pg=4163,644905&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en |title=Killing Of 15 Greeks, Occupation Of Corfu, Brings Serious Crisis. |newspaper=The Washington Reporter|date=1 September 1923 |page=1}} "The Greek troops which were stationed in the Corfu fortress have been withdrawn to the interior of the island."</ref>

After the landing, the Italian officers were worried that British citizens may have been wounded or killed, and were relieved when they learned that there were no British among the victims.<ref name=NLA-65032548>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65032548 |title=THE CORFU BOMBARDMENT. |newspaper=[[The Register (Adelaide)|The Register]] |location=Adelaide |date=5 September 1923 |accessdate=18 April 2013 |page=9 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}"The first Italian officer who landed walked along, mopping his brow, to the spot where English and American nurses were attending the wounded. The officer asked, "Were any Britons killed or wounded? "No." was the reply, whereupon he heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Thank God!""</ref>

The residence of the British officer in charge of the police training school, who was away on vacation, was looted by Italian soldiers.<ref name=NLA-1999809/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19230905&id=sm0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QooFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6224,740955 |title=ITALIAN NAVY GUNS KILLED ARMENIANS ORPHANS IN CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Gazette (Montreal)|The Montreal Gazette]] |date=5 September 1923 |page=10}} "After landing one group of Italian soldiers visited the residence of Captain Sloonan, director of the British police school. Sloonan was away on his vacation. They looted the premises despite protests from the British servants."</ref>

== Reactions after the bombardment and occupation of Corfu ==

The Greek Government proclaimed martial law throughout Greece.<ref name=NLA-23668926>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23668926 |title=MARTIAL LAW IN GREECE. |newspaper=[[The Mercury (Hobart)|The Mercury]] |location=Hobart, Tas. |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=21 March 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Government has proclaimed martial law throughout Greece."</ref> The Greek fleet was ordered to retire to the Gulf of Volo to avoid contact with the Italian fleet.<ref name=NLA-20647566>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20647566 |title=PLAYING SAFE. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=8 September 1923 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
In the [[Athens Cathedral]], a solemn memorial service was held for the persons who were killed in the Corfu bombardment, and the bells of all of the churches were tolled continuously. After the service, demonstrations against Italy broke out.<ref name=NLA-78065994>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78065994 |title=MOURNING IN ATHENS. |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |location=Perth |date=5 September 1923 |accessdate=25 March 2013 |page=7 Edition: THIRD EDITION |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "...on Monday a solemn memorial service was held in the cathedral for 12 persons who were killed in the Corfu bombardment. The bells of all of the churches were tolled continuously, and incense was burned in many houses as a sign of mourning. Crowds paraded the streets after the service, crying, ''Down with Italy,' but the police dispersed them."</ref> 
All places of amusement were closed as a sign of mourning for the victims of the bombardment.<ref name=TML-03-09-1923>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WgZTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2DcNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1686,360806&dq=italians+landed+on+corfu&hl=en |title=BALKAN CRISIS STILL GRAVE; MORE GREEK TERRITORY SAID TO BE OCCUPIED BY ITALIANS |newspaper=The Morning Leader |date=3 September 1923 |page=1}}</ref>

After the protest of the Italian Minister, the Greek Government suspended for one day the newspaper ''[[Eleftheros Typos]]'' for characterizing the Italians as "''the fugitives of [[Battle of Caporetto|Caporetto]]''" and dismissed the censor for allowing the statement to pass.<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/><ref name=NLA-31186678>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31186678 |title=Newspaper Suspended. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=4 September 1923 |accessdate=3 May 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}" A Greek newspaper has been suspended for the day for styling the Italians: "The fugitives of Carporetto." The Censor has been dismissed for allowing the publication of the insult."</ref>
The Greek Government provided a detachment of 30 men to guard the Italian Legation in Athens.<ref name=NLA-78065414>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78065414 |title=SUBMARINE SEIZES GREEK STEAMER. |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |location=Perth |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |page=9 Edition: THIRD EDITION |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Greek newspapers were unanimous in condemning Italy's action.<ref name=NLA-31186677>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31186677 |title=FEELING IN GREECE. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=4 September 1923 |accessdate=3 May 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

Italy closed the Corfu canal and the Straits of Otranto to Greek ships.<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/> In addition, Italy suspended all Greek shipping companies sailing for her,<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/> and ordered Italian ships to boycott Greece,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/5317460?zoomLevel=1&searchTerm=%20corfu&searchLimits=l-decade=192|title=WAR LIKE ACT COMMITTED BY ITALY. |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)|The Mail]] |location=Adelaide |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=23 April 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "An Italian tramp steamer going to ports in Asia Minor was ordered to boycott Greece."</ref> although the Greek ports were open to Italian vessels.<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/>
Greek steamers were detained in Italian ports and one was seized by a submarine in the straits of Corfu,<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/page/5317460?zoomLevel=1&searchTerm=%20corfu&searchLimits=l-decade=192|title=WAR LIKE ACT COMMITTED BY ITALY. |newspaper=[[The Mail (Adelaide)|The Mail]] |location=Adelaide |date=1 September 1923 |accessdate=23 April 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "A Greek steamer about to depart from Brindisi homeward was stopped and remains in the harbor"</ref> but on September 2, the Italian Ministry of Marine ordered all Greek ships to be released from Italian ports.<ref name=NLA-78065418>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78065418 |title=RELEASE OF GREEK, SHIPS. |newspaper=[[Daily News (Perth, Western Australia)|The Daily News]] |location=Perth |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |page=9 Edition: THIRD EDITION |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "According to a Rome message, the Ministry of Marine has ordered all Greek ships to be allowed to leave Italian ports without hindrance."</ref>
Anti-Greek demonstrations broke out in Italy again.<ref name=NLA-20639039>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20639039 |title=GREEK "ARMS" TORN DOWN. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=19 April 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "During an anti-Greek demonstration at Milan the crowd tore down the Coat of Arms from the Greek Consulate."</ref> The Italian government ordered the Italian reservists in London to hold themselves in readiness for army service.<ref name=NLA-20639042>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20639042 |title=ITALIANS IN LONDON. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=19 April 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Italian reservists in London have received orders from the secretary of their Legation to hold themselves in readiness for army service during the next five days, when it will be known whether they are wanted or not."</ref> The King of Italy, [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]], returned to Rome from his summer residence immediately.<ref name=NLA-51246442>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51246442 |title=KING RETURNING TO ROME. |newspaper=[[The Examiner (Tasmania)|The Examiner]] |location=Launceston, Tas. |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |page=5 Edition: DAILY |publisher=National Library of Australia}}"A Rome message says that the King is returning to Rome from his summer residence immediately."</ref> The Italian military attaché who was sent to inquire into the murder of the Italian delegates was recalled by the Italian legation,<ref name=TML-03-09-1923/> and Greek journalists were expelled from Italy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9mpdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HlwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3529,3257910&dq=corfu+bombardment&hl=en |title=OCCUPATION OF VERA CRUZ BY U.S. CITED BY ITALY IN CORFU BOMBARDMENT |newspaper=The Bonham Daily Favorite |date=3 September 1923 |page=1}}"Three Greek journalists have been expelled from Italy, one of them being Elefteros Typos."</ref>

Albania reinforced the Greco-Albanian frontier and prohibited passage across.<ref name=NLA-51246444>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51246444 |title=THE ALBANIAN FRONTIER. |newspaper=[[The Examiner (Tasmania)|The Examiner]] |location=Launceston, Tas. |date=3 September 1923 |accessdate=21 April 2013 |page=5 Edition: DAILY |publisher=National Library of Australia}}"It is announced that Albania has reinforced the Greco-Albanian frontier. Guards prohibit passage across the frontier. A Greek courier carrying delimitation commission papers has been prevented passing."</ref>

Serbian newspapers declared that Serbia would support Greece,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96042274 |title=ANOTHER BALKAN WAR THREATENED. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=8 September 1923 |accessdate=26 June 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Serbian newspapers are already declaring that Serbia will support Greece."</ref> while elements in Turkey advised [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk|Mustafa Kemal]] to seize the opportunity to invade [[Western Thrace]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96042274 |title=ANOTHER BALKAN WAR THREATENED. |newspaper=[[The Recorder (Port Pirie)|The Recorder]] |location=Port Pirie, SA |date=8 September 1923 |accessdate=26 June 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Reports from Turkey show that a section of opinion is already urging Kemal Pasha to seize the opportunity to invade Western Thrace."</ref>

Head of the [[Near East Foundation|Near East Relief]] said that the bombardment were completely unnecessary and unjustified.<ref name=RE-09-09-1923>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19230909&id=2ZMuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UJgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6504,1447202&hl=en |title=Terms Bombardment Of Corfu Unjustified |newspaper=Reading Eagle  |date=9 September 1923 |accessdate=26 June 2013 |page=14}}</ref> Italy called the American legation to protest against this statement.<ref name=RE-09-09-1923/>

Chairman on the League of Nations commissioning assisting deported women and children, who was eyewitness of the bombardment said: "The crime of Corfu was official murder by a civilized nation...I consider the manner in which Corfu occupied as inhuman."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19230913&id=RWJOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Wf8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3432,6124526&hl=en |title=Doctor Says Corfu Capture Was Marked By Wanton Killing |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=13 September 1923 |page=8}}</ref>

==Resolution==

{{Location map many | Greece
| caption = Kakavia (with red) and Corfu (with green).
| relief = 
| label1 = Kakavia
   | lat1_deg = 39.912
   | lon1_deg = 20.358
| label2 = Corfu
   | lat2_deg = 39.619299
   | lon2_deg = 19.919585
   | pos2 = bottom
   | mark2 = Green pog.svg
}}

On September 1, Greece appealed to the [[League of Nations]], but [[Antonio Salandra]], the Italian representative to the League, informed the Council that he had no permission to discuss the crisis.<ref name=NLA-65035758/>
Mussolini refused to co-operate with the League and demanded that the Conference of Ambassadors should deal with the matter.<ref name="GCSE History Notes">{{cite book|title=GCSE History Notes|url=http://ejlilley.sdf-eu.org/historynotes.pdf|page=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Todd|first=Allan|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=2001|title=The Modern World|page=55|isbn=978-0199134250|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vlw30T44PS0C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false}} "Greece asked the League for help, but Mussolini ignored the League as he argued it was a Conference of Ambassabors' matter."</ref> Italy assured that will leave the League rather than allow the League to interfere.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=HNS19230907.2.22 |title=CORFU INCIDENT |newspaper=Hawera & Normanby Star |date=7 September 1923 |page=5}}</ref> 

Britain favored referring the Corfu matter to the League of Nations, but France opposed such a course of action fearing that it would provide a precedent for the League to become involved in [[Occupation of the Ruhr|the French occupation of the Ruhr]].<ref name="Burgwyn 1997 23">{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=23|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23}}</ref>

With the threat of Mussolini to withdraw from the League and lack of French support the matter went to the Conference of Ambassadors. Italy's prestige was safeguarded and the French were relieved from any linkage between Corfu and the Ruhr at the League of Nations.<ref name="Burgwyn 1997 23"/>

On September 8 the Conference of Ambassadors announced to both Greece and Italy, as well as to the League of Nations, the terms upon which the dispute should be settled.

The decision was that:
# the Greek Fleet shall render a salute of 21 guns at Piraeus to the Italian Fleet, which will enter the port, followed by French and British warships, which shall be included in the salute,
# a funeral service shall be attended by the Greek Cabinet,
# military honours shall be rendered to the slain upon embarkation at Preveza,
# Greece shall deposit 50,000,000 lire in a Swiss bank as a guarantee,
# the highest Greek military authority must apologise to the British, French, and Italian representatives at Athens,
# there shall be a Greek inquiry into the murders, which must be supervised by a special international commission presided over by the Japanese Lieutenant-Colonel Shibuya, who was a military attaché of the Japanese embassy, and which must be completed by September 27,
# Greece must guarantee the commission's safety and defray its expenses and
# the conference requested the Greek Government to communicate its complete acceptance immediately, separately, and simultaneously to the British, French, and Italian representatives at Athens.
# In addition, the conference requested the Albanian Government to facilitate the commission's work in Albanian territory.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1998427 |title=TERMS FOR GREECE. |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)|The Argus]] |location=Melbourne |date=10 September 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=12 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

Both Greece, on September 8,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51247884 |title=Ambassadors' Decisions. |newspaper=[[The Examiner (Tasmania)|The Examiner]] |location=Launceston, Tas. |date=11 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=5 Edition: DAILY |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Greece has replied to the Note of the conference of Ambassadors, announcing a readiness to conform with the conference's decision."</ref> and Italy, on September 10, accepted it.<ref name=NLA-65035758/> Italy added, however, that she would not evacuate the island until Greece had given full satisfaction.<ref name=NLA-65035758/>

In Italy everyone was satisfied with the Conference's decision and praised Mussolini.<ref name=NLA-66787211>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66787211 |title=ITALY TRIUMPHANT. |newspaper=[[The Advocate (Australia)|The Advocate]] |location=Burnie, Tas. |date=11 September 1923 |accessdate=18 March 2013 |page=1 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

On September 11 the Greek delegate, [[Nikolaos Politis]], informed the Council that Greece had deposited the 50,000,000 lire in a Swiss bank and on September 15, the Ambassadors Conference informed Mussolini that Italy must evacuate Corfu on the September 27, at the latest.<ref name=NLA-65035758/><ref name=NLA-65046802>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65046802 |title=EVACUATION OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[The Register (Adelaide)|The Register]] |location=Adelaide |date=15 September 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=15 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=NLA-65035758/>

On September 26, before the inquiry had finished, the Conference of Ambassadors awarded Italy an indemnity of 50,000,000 lire, on the alleged ground that "the Greek authorities had been guilty of a certain negligence before and after the crime."<ref name=NLA-65035758/>

In addition, Italy demanded from Greece 1,000,000 lire per day for the cost of the occupation of Corfu<ref name=NLA-65035758/> and Conference of the Ambassadors replied that Italy reserved the right of recourse to an International Court of Justice in connection with the occupation expenses.<ref name=NLA-80945093>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80945093 |title=EVACUATION OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[Singleton Argus]] |location=NSW |date=29 September 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The award of the Ambassadors' Conference with respect to Janina has been confirmed, and the matter is declared to be settled, except that Italy reserves the right of recourse to an International Court of Justice in connection with the occupa- tion expenses."</ref>

In Greece there was a general depression over the decision, because Italy obtained practically everything she demanded.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20656808 |title=PRACTICALLY UNOBSERVED. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=29 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The news of the evacuation at Corfu was almost unobserved owing to the general depression through Italy obtaining practically, everything she demanded."</ref>

[[Harold Nicolson]], a first secretary in the central department of the [[Foreign Office]] said: "In response to the successive menaces of M. Mussolini we muzzled the League, we imposed the fine on Greece without evidence of her guilt and without reference to the Hague, and we disbanded the Commission of Enquiry. A settlement was thus achieved." <ref>Yearwood, Peter J. "'Consistently with Honour': Great Britain, the League of Nations and the Corfu Crisis of 1923." Journal of Contemporary History 21, no. 4 (1986): 559-79. http://www.jstor.org/stable/260586.</ref>

==Corfu Evacuation==

On September 27 the Italian flag was lowered and the Italian troops evacuated Corfu. The Italian fleet and a Greek destroyer saluted the Italian flag, and when the Greek flag hoisted, the Italian flagship saluted it.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20656807 |title=THE EVACUATION. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=29 September 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Italian flag was lowered and salutes from the Italian fleet and a Greek destroyer. The Italian flagship saluted the Greek flag when it was hoisted."</ref>

40,000 residents of Corfu welcomed the prefect when he landed, and shouldered him to the prefecture. British and French flags were waved by the crowd which demonstrated enthusiastically in front of the Anglo-French consulates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93297505 |title=EVACUATION OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |location=WA |date=29 September 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

The Italian [[Squadron (naval)|squadron]] had been ordered to remain anchored till Italy received the 50 million lire.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93297506 |title=FLEET WAITS FOR PAYMENT. |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |location=WA |date=29 September 1923 |accessdate=17 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The Italians have not completed the evacuation of Corfu. Although the troops have left the Italian squadron has been ordered to remain till Italy actually receives the fifty million lire, payable by Greece."</ref>

The 50,000,000 lire deposited in a Swiss bank were at the disposal of The Hague Tribunal and the bank refused to transfer the money to Rome without the authority of the [[National Bank of Greece|Greek National Bank]], which was given on  the evening of the same day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93301138 |title=EVACUATION OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[Kalgoorlie Miner]] |location=WA |date=1 October 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=5 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "The return of the Italian fleet to Corfu was due to the fact that the fifty million lire deposited in a Swiss bank were at the disposal of The Hague Tribunal and the bank refused to transfer the money to Rome without the authority of the Greek National Bank, which was given yesterday evening."</ref>

On September 30, the Italian fleet, except one destroyer, departed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article34263504 |title=EVACUATION OF CORFU. |newspaper=[[Western Argus]] |location=Kalgoorlie, WA |date=2 October 1923 |accessdate=20 March 2013 |page=21 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "Corfu, Sept. 30. The Italian fleet, all except one destroyer, has now departed."</ref>

==Aftermath==

The reputation of Mussolini in Italy was enhanced.<ref>{{cite book|first= Tony|last= Jaques|title= Dictionary of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity through the Twenty-first Century|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3amnMPTPP5MC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false|date=November 2006|publisher= Greenwood|isbn= 978-0313335372|page= 262}} "...,enhancing the reputation of Mussolini, who then annexed Fiume"</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=24|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Enrico+tellini+murder&source=bl&ots=CLZLDHrhgj&sig=XKjO6aKN5x0ruVwgGDGLKavWSfw&hl=el&sa=X&ei=JEFDUdeWBtKW0QWNoYCACQ&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Enrico%20tellini%20murder&f=false}} "Improvised and incoherent, Mussolini's gunboat diplomacy failed to add Corfu to Italy's possession, but it did successfully fulfill demagogic and propagandistic aims within the country."</ref><ref>{{cite book| last= Neville| first= Peter | title= Mussolini| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rleP5CVe070C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false| publisher= Routledge|date=December 2003| page= 93|isbn= 978-0415249904}}"There is no doubt that Mussolini's occupation of Corfu had widespread support at home."</ref>

In Corfu during the first quarter of the 20th century, many [[Italian opera]]s were performed at the [[Municipal Theatre of Corfu]]. This tradition came to a halt following the Corfu incident.<ref>{{cite book |first= Elaine |last=Thomopoulos  |title=The History of Greece|page=109 |publisher=Greenwood|date=December 2011|isbn=978-0313375118 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=jlKheq6g3r8C&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=king+george+of+greece+1923+corfu&source=bl&ots=UcHvQF9pPO&sig=H0KPve0U7Vj4XCxRyIpNTXo3KTU&hl=el&sa=X&ei=qVBjUfSZLqGx0AXk54CIDA&ved=0CFMQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=king%20george%20of%20greece%201923%20corfu&f=false}} "Incensed by Italy's act of aggression, the Corfiots stopped playing Italian operas at their theater."</ref>

After the bombardment the theatre featured Greek operas as well as Greek theater performances by distinguished Greek actors such as [[Marika Kotopouli]] and {{Interlanguage link multi|Pelos Katselis|el|3=Πέλος Κατσέλης}}.<ref name="History of the municipal theatre">Municipality of Corfu Official Website. (2008) ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070623224051/http://www.corfu.gr/en/profil/theatro.htm History of the municipal theatre via the Internet Archive]''After 1923, when Italy bombarded Corfu, the Italian operas ceased to appear in Corfu. From that time on Greek operas were called under the direction of the maestros Dionisius Lavrangas, Alexandros Kiparissis, Stefanos Valtetsiotis and others. Since then, dramatic plays were also staged and artists like Marika Kotopouli and Pelos Katselis appeared in Corfu, as well as many operettas of the time"</ref>

==Conclusion==

The ulterior motive for the invasion was Corfu's strategic position at the entrance of the [[Adriatic Sea]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article20643600 |title=The Brisbane Courier. |newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]] |date=11 September 1923 |accessdate=31 January 2013 |page=4 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}"... because there is not the slightest doubt that the real cause of trouble is that old disturbing "Adriatic question " which has been the cause of many Balkan troubles, and is likely to be the cause of many more."</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65033880 |title=The Register. ADELAIDE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1923. |newspaper=[[The Register (Adelaide)|The Register]] |location=Adelaide |date=24 September 1923 |accessdate=31 January 2013 |page=6 |publisher=National Library of Australia}} "But, though deprived of a base which would have made her control of the Adriatic more secure,..."</ref><ref name=NLA-1999809/>

The crisis was the first major test for the League of Nations but the League failed it.<ref>Yearwood, Peter J. "'Consistently with Honour': Great Britain, the League of Nations and the Corfu Crisis of 1923." Journal of Contemporary History 21, no. 4 (1986): 559-79. http://www.jstor.org/stable/260586.</ref> It showed that the League was weak <ref>{{cite book|last=O’Connell|first=Ciaran|title= GCSE History Paper 1 Revision Guide|url=http://www.scribd.com/doc/90406073/22/The-Corfu-Incident-1923|page=15}}</ref> and couldn't settle disputes when a great power confronted a small one.<ref name="books.google.gr">{{cite book|title=Guide to International Relations and Diplomacy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5ndamBABdIC&pg=PA214|year=2004|isbn=978-0826473011|page=214}}</ref>  The authority of the League had been openly defied by Italy, a founding member of the League and a permanent member of the Council.<ref name="GCSE History Notes"/> The Italian Fascist regime had managed to prevail in its first major international confrontation.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Corfu incident|publisher=IME|url=http://www.ime.gr/chronos/14/en/1923_1940/foreign_policy/facts/03.html}}</ref>

The crisis was also a failure for the policy of Great Britain, which had appeared as the greatest champion of the League during the crisis.<ref>Yearwood, Peter J. "'Consistently with Honour': Great Britain, the League of Nations and the Corfu Crisis of 1923." Journal of Contemporary History 21, no. 4 (1986): 559-79. http://www.jstor.org/stable/260586.</ref>

In addition, it showed the purpose and tone of Fascist foreign policy.<ref name="books.google.gr"/>
Italy's invasion of Corfu was Mussolini's most aggressive move of the 1920s.<ref name="Burgwyn 1997 23"/> 
The reputation of Mussolini in Italy was enhanced.<ref>{{cite book|last=Jaques|first=Tony|title= of Battles and Sieges: A Guide to 8,500 Battles from Antiquity through the Twenty-first Century|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3amnMPTPP5MC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false|date=November 2006|publisher= Greenwood|isbn= 978-0313335372|page= 262}} "...,enhancing the reputation of Mussolini, who then annexed Fiume"</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Burgwyn|first=James|publisher=Praeger|date=April 1997|title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940|page=24|isbn=978-0275948771|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA24}} "Improvised and incoherent, Mussolini's gunboat diplomacy failed to add Corfu to Italy's possession, but it did successfully fulfill demagogic and propagandistic aims within the country."</ref><ref>{{cite book| last= Neville| first= Peter | title= Mussolini| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=rleP5CVe070C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false| publisher= Routledge|date=December 2003| page= 93|isbn= 978-0415249904}}"There is no doubt that Mussolini's occupation of Corfu had widespread support at home."</ref>

==Stamps==

An Italian Post Office opened on September 11, 1923 in Corfu, issuing a set of 8 Italian stamps overprinted "CORFU" which were placed on sale on the 20th. Three additional stamps overprinted in Greek currency arrived on 24th. The third stamp was 2.40 drachma on 1 lire. 
The Post Office closed at midday on 26 September 1923, only remaining open to dispatch the morning mail. The office had been open for 15 days.

Three further values arrived on the day the Post Office closed, and were never issued. They eventually became available for sale at the postal ministry in Rome. Many used copies of these stamps have forged postmarks, but it is known that the Corfu cancel was applied to hundreds of stamps before the Post Office closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcstamps.com/?p=1822|title=Corfu, Italian Occupation  (1923)|work=Dead Country Stamps and Banknotes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.italianstamps.co.uk/po/corfu/index.html|title=Italian Post Offices - Corfu|author=Tony Clayton|work=italianstamps.co.uk}}</ref>

==People in key roles in Greece and Italy==

=== Greece ===

* [[Stylianos Gonatas]], [[Prime Minister of Greece|Prime Minister]].
* [[Nikolaos Politis]], Greek representative to the League of Nations.
* [[Georgios Papandreou]], Minister of Internal Affairs.

=== Italy ===

* [[Benito Mussolini]], [[Prime Minister of Italy|Prime Minister]].
* [[Antonio Salandra]], Italian representative to the League of Nations.
* [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]], King of Italy.
* General [[Armando Diaz]], Minister of War.
* Giulio Cesare Montagna, the Italian ambassador in Athens.
* Colonel Perone di San Martino, the Italian military attaché.
* Admiral Emilio Solari, commander of the Italian troops in Corfu.
* Admiral Diego Simonetti, commander of the Italian fleet in Lower Adriatic, he was appointed as Corfu governor during the occupation.
* Captain Antonio Foschini, chief of the naval staff, the man who presented the ultimatum about the Italian occupation to the Greek prefect.

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal|last=Barros|first=James|title=Mussolini’s first Aggression : the Corfu ultimatum|journal=Balkan Studies|volume=2|issue=2|pp=257-286|url=https://ojs.lib.uom.gr/index.php/BalkanStudies/article/download/56/55}} 
* {{cite book
 | last                  = Hearder
 | first                 = Harry 
 | title                 = A Short History of Italy
 | url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=lJk3AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
 | publisher             = Cambridge University Press
 | year                  = 1963
 | pages                 = 214–215
}}
* {{cite book
 |first = James 
 |last = Barros
 |title = The Corfu incident of 1923: Mussolini and The League Of Nations
 |year = 1965
 |publisher = Princeton University Press
}}
*{{cite book
 |last=Seton-Watson
 |first=Christopher Seton-Watson
 |publisher=Routledge Kegan & Paul
 |date=June 1979
 |title=Italy from liberalism to fascism: 1870-1925
 |pages=670–675
 |isbn=978-0416189407
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nJkOAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = C. C. Jardine
| title                 = Mussolini and Italy (Modern Times)
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=d0cOAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Longman Group United Kingdom
|date=April 1980
| pages                 = 29–30
| isbn                  = 978-0582204263
}}
*{{cite book
 |last=Burgwyn
 |first=James
 |publisher=Praeger
 |date=April 1997
 |title=Italian Foreign Policy in the Interwar Period: 1918-1940
 |pages=23–24
 |isbn=978-0275948771
 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNHxISN-dmQC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Enrico+tellini+murder&source=bl&ots=CLZLDHrhgj&sig=XKjO6aKN5x0ruVwgGDGLKavWSfw&hl=el&sa=X&ei=JEFDUdeWBtKW0QWNoYCACQ&ved=0CHEQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Enrico%20tellini%20murder&f=false
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Brecher
| first                 = Michael
| last2                 = Wilkenfeld
| first2                = Jonathan
| title                 = A study of crisis
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=GjY7aV_6FPwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = University of Michigan Press
| year                  = 1997
| pages                 = 583–584
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Neville
| first                 = Peter 
| title                 = Mussolini
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=rleP5CVe070C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Routledge
|date=December 2003
| pages                 = 92–93
| isbn                  = 978-0415249904
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Goldstein
| first                 = Erik  
| last2                 = Langhorne
| first2                = Richard 
| title                 = Guide to International Relations and Diplomacy
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5ndamBABdIC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Bloomsbury Academic
|date=March 2004
| page                  = 214
| chapter               = Corfu Incident, 1923
| chapterurl            = https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5ndamBABdIC&pg=PA214&lpg=PA214&dq=corfu+incident+1923&source=bl&ots=ZfCtQ_CkH-&sig=1CngFjo41KDFiDOSWCuxNRoPeX4&hl=el&sa=X&ei=QYP5UJbNCZC10QWAooCYBg&ved=0CHcQ6AEwCw#v=onepage&q=corfu%20incident%201923&f=false
| isbn                  = 978-0826473011
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Gooch
| first                 = John 
| title                 = Mussolini and his Generals: The Armed Forces and Fascist Foreign Policy, 1922-1940
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=PXhlsFmFsGQC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Cambridge University Press
|date=December 2007
| pages                 = 45–47
| isbn                  = 0521856027
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Duggan
| first                 = Christopher 
| title                 = The Force of Destiny: A History of Italy Since 1796
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=lSRwOZ0Yxw8C&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
|date=April 2008
| pages                 = 439–441
| isbn                  = 0618353674
}}
* {{cite book
 |first = Ιωάννης Σ.
 |last = Παπαφλωράτος
 |title =  Η Ελληνοϊταλική κρίση του 1923 Το επεισόδιο Tellini/ Κέρκυρας
 |trans_title = The  Greco-Italian crisis of 1923 The incident Tellini / Corfu
 |year = 2009
 |publisher = Σάκκουλας Αντ. Ν.
 |language = Greek
 |isbn = 9789601522388
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Gilbert
| first                 = Mark F. 
| last2                 = Nilsson
| first2                = Robert K. 
| title                 = The A to Z of Modern Italy
| url                   = https://books.google.com/books?id=24Cn5AQQ6eUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=el#v=onepage&q&f=false
| publisher             = Scarecrow Press
|date=April 2010
| page                  = 114
| isbn                  = 978-0810872103
}}

==External links==
*[http://www.scribd.com/doc/90406073/22/The-Corfu-Incident-1923 Successes & failures of the League Of Nations, in the 1920s]
*[http://www.fhw.gr/chronos/14/en/1923_1940/foreign_policy/facts/03.html The Corfu incident] Foundation of the Hellenic World
*[http://www.dcstamps.com/?p=1822 Corfu, Italian Occupation (1923)] Dead Country Stamps and Banknotes
*[http://modern_italy.enacademic.com/103/Corfu Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias]
*[http://www.hillsdalesites.org/personal/hstewart/war/%281923-08-30%29%20Greek%20Reply%20to%20Italian%20Demands.pdf Greek reply to the Italian demands] Athens, 30 August 1923 
*[http://www.hillsdalesites.org/personal/hstewart/war/%281923-09-04%29%20Bombardment%20of%20Corfu%20%28Salandra%29.pdf Bombardment Of Corfu] Geneva, 4 September 1923
*[http://www.hillsdalesites.org/personal/hstewart/war/%281923-09-08%29%20Bombardment%20of%20Corfu%20%28Politis%29.pdf Bombardment Of Corfu] Geneva, 8 September 1923
* {{cite book
| title                 = GCSE History Notes
| url                   = http://ejlilley.sdf-eu.org/historynotes.pdf
| page                  = 19
| chapter               = 3.4.5 The Corfu Incident (1923) 
}}
* {{cite book
| title                 = US Naval War College
| url                   = https://www.usnwc.edu/getattachment/eab8d4b7-e0bd-43da-81e8-dfe31a5c56e3/Chapter-III.aspx
| pages                 = 33–34
| chapter               = Chapter III-State Practice During the Pre-United Nations Period
}}
* {{cite book
| last                  = Finney 
| first                 = Patrick Benedict
| title                 = The Relations between the Entente Powers and Greece, 1923-6
| url                   = http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/669/1/uk_bl_ethos_270797.pdf
| pages                 = 186–220
|date=September 1993
}}
*[http://www.tovima.gr/books-ideas/article/?aid=327944 Article in the Greek newspaper "To Vima"] {{el icon}}
*[http://news.kathimerini.gr/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_100004_20/12/2009_384261 Article in the Greek newspaper "Kathimerini"] {{el icon}}
*[http://www.corfuhistory.eu/?p=1443 Corfu History] {{el icon}}
*[http://www.sansimera.gr/articles/168 The murder of Telini and the occupation of Corfu from the fascist Italy] {{el icon}}

===Videos===
*[http://www.britishpathe.com/video/occupation-of-corfu/query/greece Occupation Of Corfu 1923] From [[Pathé News|British Pathé]]
*[http://www.britishpathe.com/video/corfu-italy-seizes-island Corfu – Italy Seizes Island 1923] From British Pathé
*[http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsgfqg_y-yyyyyyyyy-yyy-yyyyyyyy-31-8-23_school#.UPmkGvJuLTo The occupation of Corfu] From the old Greek TV show "Στον χώρο της ιστορίας" (In the history),1990 {{el icon}}

[[Category:1923 in Greece]]
[[Category:1923 in Italy]]
[[Category:Aftermath of World War I]]
[[Category:Blockades]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1923]]
[[Category:Diplomatic incidents]]
[[Category:Greece–Italy relations]]
[[Category:History of Corfu]]
[[Category:History of Greece (1909–24)]]
[[Category:Interwar period]]
[[Category:League of Nations]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1923]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 1923]]
[[Category:Ultimata]]
[[Category:1923 in international relations]]