THE WAR IN THE EAST.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9739, 29 May 1897, Page 8

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

THE OCCUPATION OP THESSALY. THE SULTAN AND HIS ADVISERS. VIOLATION OF THE ARMISTICE. FURTHER FIGHTING EXPECTED, Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Athens, May 27. It is reported here that Great Britain threatens to withdraw from the concert of the Powers if Tarkey is allowed to occupy any part of Thessaly pending the payment of the war indemnity to Turkey by Greece. Reports from Lazo state that 300 Turks crossed the neutral zone between the armies in Thessaly, but were compelled by the Greek gendarmes to return. The Duke of Sparta protested against the movement as a violation of the armistice. Signor Felice, a member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, who had been acting as a volunteer in the Greek Army, has been deported to Italy for grossly insulting M. Ralli in his own office. Ricciotti Garibaldi, and twelve hundred Italian Volunteers who came to the assistance of the Greek war have re-embarked for Italy. May 28. The Powers are endeavouring to obtain an extension of the armistice. Constantinople, May 27. The Turkish Grand Vizier, Khalil Rifaat Pasha, implores the Sultan to retain Thessaly, otherwise, he contends, the Sultan will alienate the sympathy and support of the Moslems. He reminds the Sultan that he proved victorious when he resisted European dictation in regard to Armenia. May 28. All the measures at present beiflg taken by -fixe Porte point to tlae refcsnlion of the Tnessalian territory COfr quered by the Turks. The Grand Vizier threatens to resign if the Sultan consents to the evacuation of Thessaly. The Effendi, the Sultan's chief ministerial adviser on matters ecclesiastical, holds that it is impossible, unless the Turks are defeated, to surrender the conquered territory. All the members of the Ministry and military, civil and religious officials strongly oppose the withdrawal of the soldiers, and beg the Sultan not to yield up the province which they bled to conquer. The Sultan's immediate entourage favour the withdrawal, on condition that the frontier is rectified.

The troops under Edhem Pasha's command now number 200,000. He has invited the Greeks to return to their homes and gather the harvest. Failing a response to his invitation the harvest will be reaped by the" Turks. London, May 27.

The Times correspondent at La.rissa states that more fighting between the Turks and Greeks is expected shortly.