THE WAR.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 274, 23 April 1897, Page 2

THE WAR.

FURIOUS FIGHTING GOING ON

WITHOUT FOOD OR SLEEP.

CONLTANTINOPLE, April 18

Latest reports show that fierce fighting is proceeding between the Turks and Greeks.

There are very heavy losses on both sides. Among the killed are five Turkish officers. The Greek merchants have been ordered to quit Turkey within a fortnight.

Constantinople, April 19

The Sultan has ordered Edhem Pasha to assume the offensive against Greece.

The Turkish Ambassador at Athens, A.ssim Bey, has been recalled, and the Greek Minister at Constantinople, Prince Maurocordato, has been handed his passport. The Porte has issued a circular note to the Ottoman Embassies in capitals declaring that Greek regular troops are at Krania on the frontier, and that they have taken part in the more recent incursions across the frontier. The hope is expressed that the Powers will recognise that Greece is responsible for war. Turkey, it is added, has no idea of conquest, and is willing to withdraw her troops on condition that Greece withdraws her troops from the frontier and from Crete. Athens, April 18. M. Delyanuis has received information that hostilities broke out between the Greeks and Turks on Friday evening. The Turkish troops made an attempt to occupy Analipsis, a neutral position near Negeros, but were repulsed. Fighting was renewed on Saturday. The outbreak of hostilities has extended to Klepstika and Gentekia. After a march of an hour and a half in the afternoon the Greek artillery forced the Turks to abandon Tsmeteje and other outposts. The Turks were reinforced again, and attacked Analipsis on Saturday nightFighting is also proceeding at Grisovali and Moluna. M. Delyaunis has sent a protest to the Powers, declaring that the Turks are the aggressors. A general advance of the Greek army has been ordered with a view to repelling the Turkish invasion. A. Turkish fort at Prevesa fired upon and sank a Greek mercantile steamer. The Greek fleet in the Gulf of Arta opened fire upon fort Prevesa, keeping up a heavy bombardment. The Greeks have captured Menexe, in Macedonia. Murderous firing is proceeding along the whole of the frontier. The Turks are massing in the direction of Tirnova and occupying the passes leading on (o Laressa preparatory to a general advance of the army into Greece. Athens, April 20. Two thousand Greek troops are approaching Prevesa by land. Four Greek gunboats are attacking Salukhura, a Turkish town on the north shore of the Gulf Arta. The Greeks repulsed a fresh attack upon Analipsis. The Greek ironclad Spetzia assisted a flotilla of gunboats inside the straits ia bombarding Prevesa with so much effect that the town is now in ashes. Two of the Turkish shore batteries have been silenced, but a third, corncommanding th- 3 tewn of Arta, is still replying to the firo of the fleet. After two days desperate fighting the Turks captured the whole of Maluna Pass. Thi losses on both sides wore numerous. Furious fighting is going on round the Gulf of Arta. Greece has called out the last of her reserves. The Turks have destroyed Actium, the fort opposite Prevesa. Severe fighting is taking place in connection with the defence of the Saloaica railway. Edhem Pasha is holding a council of war with his officers. It is believed the object is to arrange a decisive attack on Greek positions. The efforts of the Turks to seize Analapaia failed. Athens, April 21. Further details from the seat of war show that 50,000 troops took part iu the fighting on Saturday and Sunday, and were mostly without food and sleep the whole time. The chief points of conflict were Karya Damasi, Skumpa and Maluna. ' The fighting lasted throughout the whole day and night. At first the Turkish forces, under Edhem Pasha, were successful. They succeeded in repulsing the Greeks and rescued the garrison and the Turkish blockhouse, which the Greeks had surrou a ded. They s torrned the Greek blockhouse at the point of the bayonet, the defenders offering a desperate resistance. The artillery caused great execution, and eventually the Turks succeeded in clearing the greater portion of the pass. The Greeks, however, captured the Turkish battery. Amongst those killed was Hafid Pasha, a leading Turkish officer.

Nine Turkish battalions were engaged against 15,000 Greeks at Kayra, and from the opposite hillside a heavy artillery fire was kept up. The Duke of Sparta reports that tho Greeks, under Colonel Swolenitz, former Minister for War, repulsed seven assaults of the Turks in positions in the Kaveui Pass. The Greek Home Office has issued a proclamation declariug the country in danger, and calling upon all citizens to join the army. The Greek gendarmes and police are being organised as a military force, and proceed to the frontier to reinforce the troops. The Turks bombarded a military hospital at Arta, despite the fact that the Red Cross Hag was llyiug.