GREECE AND TURKEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LX, Issue 2397, 18 May 1897, Page 2

GREECE AND TURKEY.

Per Electric Telegraph— Copyright, Pbr Press Association. Athens, May 16. An obstinate but indecisive hand to hand engagement took place between the Greeks and Turks at Griboyo, near Arta. Of the Greeks [63o men were killed and 28 officers wounded. Outpost fighting is proceeding around Domoku. The bad state of the roads and the heavy rains are impeding the Turkish advance on the town. Two thirds of the troops that were ordered to re-embark with Colonel Staikos for Crete, have returned to Athens. May 17. The Greek soldiers are deserting m large numbers from Domoku. The Government have ordered the Duke of Sparta to make a final stand there, and not retreat whatever happens. The Greek advance on Epirus was checked after several days fighting m the vicinity of Arta. The foreign embassies have aesured M. Ralli that the Powers will prevent the Turks fighting if Greece remains on the defensive. M. Ralli. therefore, has ordered the Greeks at Domoku, Artaj and Sourpi to remain on the defensive.

Later details of the fighting atGribovb show that the Greek position faced two heights, and held the Turks on Friday. While the big gunß at Arta played upon the Turks' positions, the Greeks gallantly swarmed the hillside m the face of a murderous fire, and captured the first position. The Turks were then reinforced, and compelled the Greeks to retire to Arta. Constantinople, May 17. The Porte regards the Greek march upon Janina as indicating that the request for mediation was not sincere, The Turkish demands m regard to mediation include the abolition of capitulations, not absolute capitulation of the Greek forces. London, May 16. Advices from Constantinople state that the Porte has replied to the representations of the Foreign Ambassadors, urging the Sultan to agree to an immediate armistice with Greece. The terms on which the Porte is willing to grant an armistice are the annexation of Thessaly, the payment by Greece- of an indemnity of ten million Turkish pounda, and the absolute capitulation of the Greek forces. If Greece is willing to. accept the terms proposed, the plenipotentiaries are to meet at Phersala, Later advices show that military and religious influences compelled the Sultan to insist upon exacting severe terms from Greece. : : May 17. The Powers oppose the demands of Turkey. The Junes' correspondent at Vienna cables that an impression prevails that the Porte has made excessive demands, which are partly due to Germany's support of Turkey. All the Powers will refuse to entertain or even discuss the demands, and most probably they will be rejected. The better prospects are having a salutary effect upon the war party. r The Times states that the only Greek

forces remaiuing m Turkish territory are a body of volunteers under Colonel Batzari. They are proceeding to the coast.