THE GRECO – TURKISH WAR.

Hastings Standard, Issue 318, 10 May 1897, Page 3

THE GRECO - TURKISH WAR.

i FURTHER PARTICULARS OF : THE BATTLE AT PHERSALA. THE LOSSES GREATLY EXAGGERATED. GARIBALDI GOES TO THE FRONT. CHEERED BY DRUNKEN CROWDS. GREECE OFFERS TO WITHDRAW FROM CRETE. (/ 'er Press Astoriation.—< o]>yrii//tt.) Athens, May 7. The baggage of the Duke of Sparta and his brother, Prince Nicholas has fallen into the hands of the enemy. The bravery shown by the Turks is amazing. The Greeks during their retreat from Phersala were decimated while crossing rivers. May 8. Further details of the battle of Phersala show that Edhem Pasha directed four divisions of the Turkish army to move upon Phersala, intending to force the position held by the Greeks on Thursday. On Wednesday, however, the advance line came into contact with the Greek outposts and a series of skirmishes developed into a general engagement. After fighting fiercely for many hours the Greeks towards evening retired. They were heavily shelled by the Turkish artillery while crossing the river. During the night the entire line of [ the Greek main army, comprising 80,000 troops, retreated, compelling General Smolenski to abandon the ! position held by him at Velestino. The Turkish loss during the fight is estimated at 100 and the Greeks 300. The Greeks refused to engage in a pitched battle. In their retreat they managed to save their artillery, but left behind a large quantity of stores, which fell into the hands of the Turks. This victory has given the Turks entire command of the railway running from Volo through Phersala to Trikhalh. They also hold spurs in the Othrys Mountains some distance southwards of Phersala, separating the lines communicating with General Smolenski's and the Duke of Sparta's forces. Ten thousand Greeks have evacuated Volo, and the Greek fleet cruising in the Gulf of Volo has been ordered not to oppose the Turks entering the town. General Riciotti Garibaldi and his band of Italian volunteers left Athens for the front on Friday. Drunken crowds shouted and hurrahed for a social revolution. May 9, Greece has despatched a Note to the Powers offering to withdraw troops from Crete gradually. She also expects fifteen days' armistice. London - , May 8. Germany has declined to share in the efforts being made by the Powers to mediate between Turkey and Greece until Greece consents to retire from Crete and invokes the aid of the , Powers.