THE WAR IN THE EAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10429, 29 April 1897, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE EAST.

KING GEORGE'S APPEAL.

THE GREEK FLEET SIGHTED.

THE POSITION AT LAKISSA.

DEPUTIES HASTENING TO THE FRONT. GREEK COMMANDERS. CHARGES OF INCOMPETENCE. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. PROPOSED MEDIATION. Press ABHOcintioii.—Klvctrlc Telej rapli.—Copyrlattt. Athens, April 27. In order to save his dynasty the King urges the inhabitants of Greece to join the army. The Greek fleet lias been sighted about 20 miles from Salonica.

The mutiny of Albanian troops at Janiua has fizzled out.

It is reported that the town of Frickliala, the second largest in Thessaly, lias been evacuated.

Affairs at Larissa are quiet. Many of the shops are re-opening. The Turks are busily engaged fortifying the place.

When the Greeks were about to evacuate the town they emptied the gaols of all prisoners. The members of the Chamber of Deputies are proceeding to fhersala to take an active part in the defence of their country.

The battle fought on Friday extended from Mad to Deliler.

The Greeks numbered 13,000 men and 36 guns, and the Turks 9000 men and 22 icuns.

Neither side gained much advantage until after nightfall, when Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander, sent a strong force against the Greeks' right wing. The habit of the Albanians in singing while on the march prevented the Turks effecting a surprise. A priest with the Greeks shouted " the army is outflanked," whereupon a great stampede at once set in, the troops being thrown into extreme confusion and dismay.

The Foreign Legion in the darkness fired upon the Greek cavalry, believing they were a portion of the Turkish force.

A terrible panic prevailed at Turnavo and Larissa, and the residents hastily took to flight. Edhem declares that if the panic had been delayed for six hours, he would have crushed the Greeks.

Much discontent prevails among the populace of Athens, and the reigning dynasty is menaced.

M. Kalli, the leader of the Opposition in the Greek Chamber of Deputies, has made startling charges of incapacity and cowardice against the staft of the Duke of Sparta, and insists on changes being made.

M. Delyannis, the Prime Minister, has appointed Colonel Smolenski, a nominee of M. Ealli, as chief officer of the Duke of Sparta's staff, and has recalled three of the principal officers of the staff of Colonel Vttssos, the Greek commander in Crete. They will be dispatched to the front to assist Colonel Smolenski. London, April 27, In the House of Commons Mr. Bal' four, in reply to a question, said the Powers had maintained a neutral attitude in regard to the war between the Greeks and Turks. They, however, were willing to mediate when a favourable chance presented itself. Such of the newspapers as have displayed a friendly tone towards Greece are now advocating mediation by the Powers.