The Eastern Imbroglio.

Southland Times, Issue 13739, 28 April 1897, Page 2

The Eastern Imbroglio.

CRUMPLING UP THE GREEKS. DESTROYING TURKISH PROPERTY AND BUILDINGS. GARIBALDIAN PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE. NONCOMBATANTS SUFFER. DISMAY IN ATHENS. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, April 26. Further particulars of the recent show that Koitika was captured by the' Turks on Thursday after a fierce battle. At Revein and Mati battles 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 fire, and the latter 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 a later defeat of the brigade at Revein enabled the Turks to outflank Mati, and the Greeks were compelled to retreat after 6J hours fighting. The Turkish cavalry charged splendidly, and a complete rout of the Greeks was only prevented by darkness coming on. Their officers shot several Greek fugitives on the retreat from Mati. Fourteen guns were captured by the Turks. During the night the Duke of Sparta formed the army into three columns and retreated to Phersala where he hopes to mass 40,000 troops. Before leaving Larissa the Turkish portion of the town was burned and bridges and parts of the railway destroyed. The wounded Greeks were left behind and the heavy guns abandoned.

Larissa has been occupied by the Turkish cavalry and large quantities of arms and supplies captured. Four thousand women and children have left the town.

Ed hem Pasha has placed a cordon of cavalry round Tirnovas and forbidden his troops to enter the town. Reports from Epirus as to the result of the fighting are conflicting. Each side claims to have gained an advantage. Nicopolis is now 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 bo appointed. The intended expulsion of 200,000 Greeks from Turkey within a fortnight is causing a feeling of dismay. Greece and the Powers are pressing the Sultan to modify his decision.

There is great rejoicing in Constantinople at the success of the army and the Sultan has decorated Edhem Pasha and six divisional commanders.

Ricci'otti Garibaldi, son of General Garibaldi, and a General in the Italian army, who recently offered to come to the assistance of Greece with 100,000 Garibaldians if she declared war with Turkey, has arrived in Athens at the head of 250 Italian volunteers.

A great panic prevails in Volo, where 10,000 Gresk refugees are congregated. Ships are being sent from Athens to convey the women and children to a place of safety. Troops have been sent from Monaster to quell the mutiny amongst the Albanian troops at Janina. The Daily Chronicle has started a fund in aid of the Greek wounded and Ll5OO has already been subscribed. The Turks have recaptured Pentepigadia, one of the strongest and most rugged passes on the western frontier leading to Albania. The position was of great strategical importance to the Greeks intheircontemplated march from Arta 'to Janina. The Turkish troops are charged with committing outrages.

Sydney, April 27.

. In reply to a cable sent to Athens the Greek Consul here is advised that the Greeks are simply defending themselves in Thessaly and intend moving on Janina. The prospects of success are said to be good. The Consul has received offers from a number of Englishmen to proceed to Greece, but, excepting a young lady, whose services as a hospital nurse have been accepted, the offers have been declined. The Consul explains that Greece is more in want of money than men. Thousands of volunteers are available within twenty-four hours but the difficulty is to obtain funds to equip them. The Greeks in Sydney subscribed over L2OO.