THE WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 125, 24 April 1897, Page 2

THE WAR.

GREEKS RETREATING. Athens, April 20. THE battle at Mrtluna Pass has been fierce and stubborn. Edbim Pasha commanded the Turkish forces. The loss of the Greeks was very heavy. Fighting at Karga still continues. The Turks have lost so far 200 men and the Greeks, 1000. Fighting has commenced at Janina in Albania. An engagement at Daniasi resulted in the defeat of the Turks. The Turks also suffered a repulse at Negeros. The fall of Prevesa is thought to bo imminent. The inhabitants of Arta fearing bombarlment by the Greek fleet have fled inland. Turkey has declared the Gulf ef Arta blockaded. The Greeks are returning to the Maluna Pass. The Turkish Governor of Crete has placarded the island with a notification, giving the Greek troops 15 days to withdraw. The Greeks have recaptured Gritsoveli, in the vicinity of the Maluna Pass. The Turks renewed the attack on the llevcni Pass and penetrated the entrenchments for a distance of a hundred yards. The Greeks offered a desperate resistance, and the fighting was of the bitterest character, the carnage being fearful. The Duka of Sparta, who, at the outbreak of hostilities went to the front to assume command of the Greek forces, has returned to Larrissa, the chief town of Thcssaly. The Turks are now bombarding Turnavo, in Macedonia. Latest reports from the front state that the Greeks are in full retreat on Larissa, pursued by the Turks. They are suffering terribly from the heavy artillery fire directed upon them by their pursuers. The Turkish soldiers are highly elated at their success, and are singing and laughing like children. The bombardment of Arta by the Greek batteries has caused great destruction, and half the town is in ruins. Following the Turkish notification that the Greek forces were allowed fifteen days in which to leave Creto, the Greek Government has asked the Powers to withdraw their forces from the Island. Details of the fighting at the Maluna pass show that after the Greeks were driven from the pass, and were retiring across the plain belo.v, the Turkish artillery kept up a constant and murderous fire from the heights, the shells bursting amongst the battalions, as they retired in close marching order, with terrible slaughter. The Greeks left their dead and wounded on the field. Hafiz Pasha, who is eighty years of age, and took part in the RussoTurkish war, was leading the Turkish atfack at Maluna when he was killed. April 21. The Duke of Sparta reports that the Greeks, under Colonel Smolemtz, former Minister of War, repulsed seven assaults by the Turks on positions in the Raveni Pass. Fourteen thousand Turks were engaged in the attack. The Pass commands one of the chief entrances to Thessaly. The Greek Home Office has issued a proclamation declaring the country in danger, and calling upon all citizens to join the army. The Greek gendarmerie and police have been organised as a military force, and have proceeded to the frontier to reinforce the troops. The Turks bombarded the military hospital at Arta despite the fact that the red cross flag was flying. In the fighting which took place near Salonica, the Greek irregulars lost one hundred men. London, April 21, The Athens correspondent of the Times says the scene of conflict has now been removed to Kontra, south of Daniasi, where the Turkish batteries engage the Greek artillery and to Zarkos. When these points have been occupied JEdhetn Pasha's advance on Larissa will be easy. Great courage and tenacity were displayed by the combatants in the buttle in the Maluna Pass. The splendid victory of the Turks, which was mainly due to the superiority of their artillery, was completed at the point of the bayonet. Both the Greeks and Turks were without food and sleep for thirty-six hours. The Turks slept on Monday night. The Greeks abandoned their tents when they retreated. The Mayor of Larissa is leading two thousand residents of the town to the Raveni Pass to assist in its defence. After a fierce artillery duel between the Greek batteries at Arta and the Turkish forts on the opposite side of the river the latter were silenced. The roughness of the sea has stopped the bombardment of Previsi. The Turks claim to have disable! two Greek cruisers. The Greeks have burned Damasi. Considerable uneasiness is felt in England owing to the absence of both Lord Salisbury and Mr Curzon on the Continent. Constantinople, April 21. The second Turkish squadron, consisting of three ironclads, five torpedo vessels, and four steamers, which have been con vetted into auxiliary cruisers, have sailed through the Dardanelles under sealed orders. Izzet Bey, one of the principal members of the Sultan's household, has been degraded for opposing tho war.