(Continued from page 1) brothers and for the maintenance of national honour.
I address myself to all fighting men in the island and them to stand firm in comradeship and thus contribute to the maintenance of national unity which, together with valour and the spirit of self-sacrifice, are indispensable to success. in this great struggle. I have faith in final victory, which will be ours,"
"The honour which awaits you is great, for you are the last glorious rampart of the Greek nation—a rampart which, with the help of God, will be invincible. All Greeks throughout the world are watching you with confidence and admiration,"
The King revealed that his withdrawal from Crete followed a careful examination, in concert with our responsible advisers, of the situation" after he had reached the mountains from his residence.
Decision to Leave became condi-:.u," His Majesty declare? wat our continued presence Crete would handicap the conduct of military operations. We consequently decided, with profound regret, to leave this heroic island, where Allied armies, together with all Cretans irrespective of age or sex, continued to fight with the most admirable courage in defence of their honour and liberty against the unsuccessful attacks of an enemy employing, with his usual ferocity, every mechanical device at his disposal.
"We leave Crete for the time hi to proceed to British territory, where we have been invited. This is the only course which will enable us to carry out the duties imposed on u" by the interests of the nation.
"It is our intention to devote all our energy to the service of our beloved country, which from the Albanian and' Bulgarian frontiers down to Crete has been defended by its children with exemplary valour against the threat of slavery,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.