Graeco-Turkish War.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 276, 29 April 1897, Page 3

Graeco-Turkish War.

FURTHER SUCCESSES OF THE TURKS CONFLICTING NEWS. DISMAY IN GREECE. OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE. Athens, April 2G. Further particulars of the recent fighting show that Koitika was captured by the Turks on Thursday after a fierce battl.e Battles at Raveni and Mati were fought on Friday. The Greeks fought with splendid dash and doggcdness. The Duke of Sparta and Prince Nicholas (the third son of the King) were under fire. Prince Nicholas acted with great gallantry. The Duke of Sparta, who is in command of the Greek forces in this part, telegraphed to King George at noon on Friday that the situation at Mati was highly satisfactory, but later the defeat of the brigade at Raveni enabled the Turks to outflank Mati, and- the Greeks were compelled to retreat after six and a-half hours' fightiug. The Turkish cavalry charged splendidly, and the complete rout of the Greeks was only prevented by nightfall. The Duke of Sparta formed hte army into three columns, and has retreated on Pharsala. He hopes to mass 40,000 troops there. Before the Greeks left Larissa the Turkish portion of the town was burned, and the bridges and part of the railway were destroyed.. The wounded Greeks were left behind and the heavy guns abandoned. Larissa has been occupied by the Turkish cavalry. Large quantities of arms and stores were captnred. Four thousand women and children have left Larissa. Edhem Pasha has placed a cordon of cavalry round Tirnovas, and has forbidden the Turkish troops to enter the town. Reports from Epirus as to the result of the fightiug are conflicting. Each side claims that it gained the advantage. Nicopolis is being bombarded. The people of Athens are stunned at the news of the defeat and retreat of the Greek army, and sobbtd in the streets. They demand that a new commander shall be appointed. The intended expulsion of 200,000 Greeks from Turkey within a fortnight is causing dismay in Greece, and the Powers are pressing the Sultan to modify his decision. Ricoiotti Garibaldi, son of General Garibaldi, and a general in the Italian army, who recently offered to come to the assistannce of Greece with 100,000 Garibaldians, if she declared war against Turkey, has arrived at Athens at the head of 230 Italian volunteers. A great panic prevails at Volo, where 10,000 Greek refugees- are congregated. Ships are being sent from Athens to convey women and children to a place of safety. The Turks have recaptured Peute Pigadia, one of the strongest and most rugged passes on the western frontier leading to Albania, and a position of great strategical importance to the Greeks in their contemplated march from Arta to Janina. The Turkish troops are charged with committing outrages. Tirnora and Larissa residents hastily took to flight. Edhem Pasha declares that if the panic had been delayed six hours he would have crushed the Greeks. Much discontent prevails amongst the populace at Athens and the reigning dynasty is menaced. M. Ralli, leader of the Opposition in the Greek Chamber, made startling charges of incapacity and cowardice against the staff. The Duke of Sparta insists that changes be made. M. Delyannis, the Premier, has appointed Smolenski a nominee of M. Ralli, as chief officer of the Duke of Sparta's staff, and has recalled three of the principal odicers of the staff of Colonel Vassos, commander in Crete. They will be despatched to the front to assist Smolenski. Constantinople, April 26. There are great rejoicings in Constantinople at the success of the Turkish army. The Sultan has decorated Edhem Pasha and six divisional commanders. London, April 26. The ' Daily Chronicle ' has started a fund in aid of the Greek wounded. Fifteen hundred pouuds has already been subscribed. la the House of Commons Mr Balfour, in reply to a question, said the Powers maintained a neutral attitude in regard to Greece and Turkey. They, however were willing to mediate when a favorable chance presented itself. Sydney, April 26. In reply to a-, cable sent to Athens, the Greek Consul here is advised that the Greeks are simply defending themselves in Thessaly, and intend moving on to Janina. The prospects of success are good. The Consul has received offers from a number of Englishmen to proceed to the front, but, excepting in the case of a young lady, whose services as hospital nurse wore I accepted, the offers were declined. The Consul explains that Greece is more in want of money than men. Thoufands of volunteers are available within 24 hours, but the difficulty is to obtain funds to equip them. The Greeks in Syduey have subscribed over £200 to the war fund. I ..