Greece and Turkey.

Manawatu Herald, 1 May 1897, Page 2

Greece and Turkey.

The battle fought on Friday extended from Mati to Deliler.

The .Greeks numbered 18.000 with 86 guns, and the Turks 9000 men and 22 guns.

Neither army gained much advantage until after nightfall, when Edhem Pasha sent a strong force against the Greeks' right wing. The habit of the Albanians of singing while on the march prevented the Turks effecting a surprise.

A priest with the Greeks shouted " The army is outflanked." and a great stampede at ooce set in, the troops being thrown into extreme confusion and dismay.

In Friday's battle the foreign legion in the darkness fired upon the Greek cavalry, believing they were a portion of the Turkish force. A terrible panic .prevailed. Turnavo and Larissa residents hastily took flight. Edhem Pasha declares that if the panic had been delayed six hours he would have crushed the Greeks.

Much discontent prevails among the populace of Athens, and the reigning djpaaty is menaced. M. Ralli, leader of the Qppoiition

in the Greek Chamber, has made startling charges of incapacity and cowardice against the staff of the Duke of Sparta, the leader of the Greek Army, and insists that changei be made.

M. Delyannis has appointed General Smolensk!, a nominee of M. Ealli, as chief officer of the Duke of Sparta's staff, and has recalled the three principal officers of the staff of General Vassos, the Greek Com* mander in Crete.

They will be despatched to the front to assist General Smoleneki.

In order to save the dynaaty the King urges the inhabitants of Greece to join the army. The Greek fleet has been lighted about 20 miles from Salonica.

The mutiny of the Albanian troops at Janina fizzled out.

It iB reported that the town of Frikhala, the second largest in Thesaaly, has been eradiated. Affairs at Larissa are quiet, and many of the ships are re opening. The Turks are bnsilj engaged fortifying the place. When the Greeks were about to evacuate the town they emptied the gaols of prisoners. Members of the Chamber of Deputies are proceeding to Phersala to take active part in the defence of their country.

The Greek advance ia Epirufl hag been suspended temporarily. Colonel Metaxas, Minister of War, has resigned his office. The Chamber of Depaties foe been epeoially summoned to deal with matters arising out of the war.

The Greek forces at Manoa, jn Epirus, have been reinforced from Arta, preparatory to advancing into %-feania.

The garrison evacuated Pente-. pigadia after the capture by the Turks, and marched to Janina and demanded a new commander.

The Governor conceded the demand, whereupon they marched back and expelled the Turks from the fort.

Ten thousand Greek troops are reported to be massing. The populace of Athens is furious at the King's meddling in the cams paign, and his appointment of courtiers'to the principal naval and military commands.

The extremists demand the recall of the Royal Princes.

Several gun shops in Athens have been pillaged, and grave feats of $ revolution are entertained.

The King has appealed to M. Ralli, leader 'of the Opposition, to help the Qovernment to maintain order.

It ia probable thai a Coalition Ministry of Defence will be formed. The nation clamours for a supreme effort being put forth to regain Thes* saly. O3tnan Pasha has been ordered to remain at Salonica. -

The Turkish Generals consider,, that the positions held by the Greeks were exceedingly Btrong, and express amazement that they should have been abandoned. < .

Everything indicates that a shame* ful panic occurred. Horses were detached, from cartridge waggons and utilised aa'meana of flight. . The safety of the Bbyal property was the first care, while at Larisea women and children vainly -appealed for permission to enter the trains. The Turkish occupation Jof La« rissa, however* has , inspired coM-t denoe in the residents, aa pillaging ia punished by death, and the Turkish sentinels patrol' the streets pro-. tecting the .banks and residences of the wealthy. , • - . . The Greeks are retiring from Epirus towards the Gulf of Arta. They have reached liouros, between Pentepigadia and the head of the., gulf.

Five hundred rioters paraded the streets of Athens, and eventually the troops dispersed them in front of the Boyal palace. The rioters entered the cates and smashed the portraits of the King* . Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander, is despatching troops from Larissa to Trikhala and Veleetino, . at the head of the Gulf of Volo. ' .

The panic amongst the Gxeekj at '* Larissa occurred during the night. ,

Amidsb agonised cries ot " The Turks are here 1" a general stampede commenced, the consternation being terrible.

The officers led the flight.

Many were trampled to death ia. their eagerness to escape, tfhil» it }a estimated that §00 men wen killed through firing at each other in. . mistake. " -