THE POPULACE IN TEARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10428, 28 April 1897, Page 5

THE POPULACE IN TEARS.

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Athens, April 26. Further particulars of the recent

fighting shows that Koitika was captured by the Turks oft Thursday after a fierce battle.

In the battles at Reveni and Mati, which were fought on Friday, the Greeks fought with splendid dash and doggedness.

The Duke of Sparta and Prince Nicholas, third son of the King, were under Are. Prince Nicholas acted with great gallantry.

The Duke of Sparta telegraphed to the King at noon on Friday that the situation at Mati was highly satisfactory, but that later on the defeat of a Greek brigade at Reveni enabled the Turks to outflank Mati, and the Greeks were compelled to fall back after six hours and a half fighting.

The Turkish cavalry charged splendidly, and the complete rout of the Greeks was only prevented by nightfall.

The Greek officers shot several fugitives on the retreat from Mati.

Fourteen guns were captured by the Turks at Mati.

During the night the Duke of Sparta formed the army into three columns and retreated to Phersela. He hopes to mass 40,000 troops there.

Before leaving Larissa the Turkish portion of the town was burned, and the bridge and part of the railway was 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 supplies were captured.

Four thousand women and children have left Larissa.

Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander, has placed a cordon of cavalry round Turnavo, and forbidden the troops to enter the town.

The reports from Epirua as to the result of the fighting there are conflicting, each side claiming to have gained an advantage. Nicropolis is being bombarded.

The people of Athens were stunned by the news of the defeat and retreat of the army, and sobbed in the streets. They demand that a new commander shall be appointed.

The intended expulsion of two hundred thousand Greeks from Turkey within a fortnight is causing a feeling of dismay in Greece, and the Powers are pressing the Sultan to modify his decision.

Constantinople, April 26. There is great rejoicing in Constantinople at the success of the Turkish army. The Sultan has decorated Edhem Pasha and his divisional commanders.