The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-07
GREEKS CLAIM VICTORY.
Great Rejoicing Over Smolenski's
Alleged Work.

Headquarters of the Greek Army in
Thessaly, Pharsala. May 5.-(Delayed
in transmission.) 1.-The Greeks claim a
decisive victory in the fighting at We
lestino today The Greek line was at
tackled by the Turkish force of 10000,
in addition to large forces of artillery
and infantry. 1t is estimated that 1000
Turks were killed at Velestino. The
enemy also abandoned a large number
OF guns.
The morale of the Greek forces is
now all that could be desired. The
Turkish Shells fell in town during the
engagement, which was fiercely fought
on both sides The. Greek artillery
occupied better positions than the guns
of the Turks and was wei served
Credit is given General Smolensh for
the victory
GREAT REJOICING.
Pharsalos. May 5.-General Smolen-
skis victory was the occasion for great
rejoicing here When the news was
received the Greek troops cheered long
and enthusiastically apparently over
looking past reverses and being anx-
ious for another brush with the enemy.
Prince Constantine telegraphed his
congratulations to General SmOienski
and received a reply from the Greek
commander saying:
our success has been very brilliant.
thanks 10 the courage Of the men, but
it is by Gods help that We have re-
PEELED the enemy.
The crown prince has issued an army
order congratuating the troops upon
showing themselves worthy Of the
trust repOsed in them by the country
II is stated that Colonel Tertigi. in
command Of the Greek forces at Kal-
fsf-a has bapr recalled
The fighting which IS TO take place
tomorrow in this vicinity viii most
likely turn out To be the most inter
eSting and decisive of the whole cam
paign. IN spite of the difficulties
which both sides have experienced
with their transport service both ar
mics had plenty Of time to prepare for
he final engagement. Though it is
difficult to predict the result there is
10 denying that the odds are in favor
of the Turks. They are overwhelming
" strong in infantry. artillery and cav
airy. The Ottoman troops, moreover
in spite of the repulSeS Just eXper-
fenced. are flushed with victory. full
of confidence and most eager TO engage
in battle
Moreover. they have implicit conf
dence in their officers and will carry
out every order to the letter These
officers, thoroughly capable men them
of picked German and Russian officers
and are lacking in nothing calculated
"a assist in bringing the campaign to
a brilliant and successful termination.
The positions which they occupy are
well chosen. and though repulsed the
Turks are in no way disheartened.
AS the campaign stands, the loss of
a few thousand men to the Turks is but
a trifiing affair They have all the
men needed and plenty 10 spare.
The Greeks occupy strong, well en-
trenched positions on high ground and
are acting entirely on the defensive
mentioning and are very weak in ar
tillery but with the guns they have
are all well served. The Greek in
fantry may be expected to do fairly
we'll while occupying good defensive
positions. In the field Of open plain, it
is not to be expected they will be a
match for the Turks.
Supplies of ali kinds in the Greek
camp are at a premium.
Edhem Pasha, the Turkish command
er, may safely be reckoned upon as
carrying out a well conceived and care
fully followed out plan Of campaign
divisions and these divisions were car
ried in semi-circle around Pharsa-
los when is backed up by high hills
Tile extreme right of the Turkish COM
mander is southwest and south of the |
railway line at Bazaraki. while three |
brigades are threatening Valestino and !
Voio. From present indications it ap-
pears that Edhem Pasha S plan is to |
turn both the Greek tanks and thus |
surround them.