THE WAR.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 279, 11 May 1897, Page 2

THE WAR.

GREAT BATTLE AT PHERSALA. COUNTRY DELUGED WITH BLOOD. GREEKS COMPLETELY ROUTED. Athens, May 7. The Turks made a vigorous attack on the Greek outposts at Phersala. The Duke of Sparta and Nicholas led the defence. The fighting was sharp but indecisive. Later reports show that a great battle is raging at Phersala. The Turks renewed the attack on Velestina. There was fierce fighting and severe losses on both sides. Eventually the Turks were repulsed. Turks have abandoned Trikhala and occupied the heights dominating Arta. The Greek ironclads captured a schooner at the entrance to the Gulf of Salonica. Amongst those on board was Ashmed Bartlett, member for Sheffield. He was sent to Athens. On Friday last the Turks were reported to have lost twelve hundred men during a reckless assault on a strong position held by the Greeks at Belestino. Continuous fighting has since taken place, and has extended to Phersala. General Smolenski declares the country in the vicinity is deluged with blood and that he had lost a thousaud men. The Duke of Sparta has retreated upon Dumoku to southward of Phersala while the forces under Smolenski were retiring towards either Yolo or Admyro to eastward. News of these retrogade steps has thrown the populace of Athens into despair. Athens, May 8. The Turks to the number of thirty thousand descended from the heights above Phersala. Their infantry advanced under cover of the artillery and succceeded in reaching the enemy’s lines. The artillery occupied a strong position. Sharp fighting was maintained for fifteen hours, when the Greek troops were completely routed and the Turks occupied the town. Yolo has been left without protection except from the fleet anchored in the Gulf of Yolo. The Turkish cavalry pursued the Duke of Sparta’s forces, and are now closely pressing the Greeks at Dumoku. It is reported in Athens that Britain, France, Russia, and Italy propose mediation between Turkey and Greece. GREECE “CAVES IN.” Athens, May 9. Greece has despatched a note to the Powers offering to withdraw troops from Crete gradually. She also requests a fifteen days’ armistice. NOTEWORTHY SPEECH BY LORD SALISBURY. London, May 8. Lord Salisbury addressing a meeting of the Primrose League said that it was the desire of the Government to restrain Greese in her recent action. The exhibition of obstinacy and lack of wisdom displayed by that Power was without parallel in recent history, and no efforts would be spared to secure peace. The Powers had succeeded in their main object of preventing a European war, and were now more closely united and on better terms of friendship. For many years a threatened opening up of the Eastern question had been averted, and if Turkey collapsed there was no need to fear a general war. The whole matter had been a great triumph for diplomacy, and apart from the local conflict between Turkey and Greece, the peace of Europe was on a sound basis.