Greece and Turkey.

Manawatu Herald, 11 May 1897, Page 2

Greece and Turkey.

• On Friday last the Turks reported that they had lost 1200 men during reckless assaults on the strong position held by the Greeks at Velestino. Continuous fighting has since taken place and extended to Pher sala. General Smolenski declares that the country in the vioinity is deluged with blood, and that he has Jose 1000 men. The Duke of Sparta has retreated upon Dumoku, to the southward of Phersala, while the forces under General Sinolenski are retiring to wards either Voloor or Almyro, to the eastward. The news of these retrograde steps has thrown the populace of Athens into despair. The Turks to the number of 30,000 descended from the heights above Phersala. Their infantry advanced under oover oil the artillery* and they sue ceeded in reaching ibe.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. Volo has been left without protection, except from the fleet anchored in the Gulf of Volo. 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. Further details of the battle at Phersala show that the Greek centre was cut, and the Greeks just escaped being outflanked. The Duke of Sparta had thrown out no scouts. It is doubtful whether Colonel Smolenski's brigade, which retreated upon Almyro, will be able to rejoin the main body of the. Greeks at Domoku. Edhem Pasha, with 60,000 troops, has left Phersala, and is rapidly advanoing on Domoku. The residents of Domoku are fleeing from the town. The Greeks, in retreating from Phersala, had to cross a river by a Hingle bridge, and suffered fearful havoc from the Turkish artillery. Turkish cavalry is occupying Karditza, about 20 miles south-east of Trikhala. In their retreat they managed to save their artillery, but left behind a large quantity of stores, which fell into the hands of the Turks. The victory has given the Turks the entire command of the railway running from Volo through Phersala to Trikhala. They also hold the spurs in the Othrys mountains, some distance to the southward of Phersala, separating the lines communicating General Smolenski's and the Duke of Sparta's forces. Ten thousand Greeki bare evac-

uated Volo, and the Greek fleet, cruising in the Gulf of Volo, has been ordered not to oppose the Turks entering the town. Riceiotti Garibaldi and his band of Italian volunteers left Athens for the front on Friday. A drunken crowd shouted and hurrahed for a social revolution. Sir Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, mem* ber of the House of Commons, who was among the passengers on a vessel captured by the Greeks, has been released. Germany has declined to share in the efforts being made by the Powers to mediate between Turkey and Greece, until Greece consents to retire from Crete and invokes the aid of the Powers. Greece haß despatsbed a note to the Powers offering to withdraw ber troops from Crete gradually. She also expects fifteen days' armistice. Greece has asked the Powers to mediate and the Ambassadors of the various nations at Athens have pro mieed their good offices in that direction. Turkey, however, objects to granting an armistice, And her troops now occupy Volowhere. The Greeks liberated the prisoners from the gaols before quitting. The Turks also occupy Velestino, which General Smolenski was compelled to evacuate after the Duke of Sparta's reverse at Pbersala.