The herald., 1897-05-04

STUBBORN CRETANS
GAMBIA, Crete. May 3-The Ad-
mirals commanding the fleet of the for
eign powers in Cretan waters had a con-
ference yesterday with the insurgent
leaders at Paleokastro. The Cretans
were promised complete autonomy, in
cluding an agreement that the nomina-
ton of their ruler should be suject to the
ratification Of the Cretan assembly. The
insurgent leaders. however, cut the dis
cucsion short and reiterated that their
motto remained: Annexation to Greece,
or DEATH"
ACHING TO BE ASKED
ATHENS, May 3.-The diplomatic situa-
tion may be summed up as follows: No
request for mediation has been or will!
be addressed by Greece to the Powers,
until the Ministers of War and Marine
report upon the state of the Greek forces
at Pharsalos and elsewhere. The Pow
ers have not offered mediation, although
they do not conceal the fact that a re-
quest for Intervention would be highly
acceptable to them. The Minister Of
Foreign Affairs, M. Skouloudis, says,
the military situation is greatly improv-
ed both in Epirus and Thessaly. and that
the victory of the Greeks over the Turks
at Velestino was brilliant.
EDHEM PASHA's WHITE FLAG
LONDON, May IA dispatch from
Athens announces that Edhem Pasha
has sent an ofI1cer with a flag of truce
to Greek headquarters asking an armi-
stice for Ave days. Another dispatch
says, 1t il again reported that 200 Bull
| garian irregulars have crossed the
frontier of Macedonia.
KING GEORGES CONDITION
PARIS, May 3.-An Athens dispatch to
the Figaro asserts that King George Is
suffering from cardfacal spasms and
his physician insists that change OF
air to the Island of Milo or Syria is
necessary.
TURKISH OPINION.
CONsTANTINOPLE. May ain in
nuential Turkish clrclss thee opinion is
texpreesed that the war with Greece VIII
soon terminate. 1t is pointed out that
while Turkey was forced into war by
Greek aggression and the counsele Of
certain powers she will not gain any
advantage by crushing Greece for the
benefit of the slave element In the Bal
kans. 1t IL held that the successes at
tanned by the Turkish troops in Greece
are all the Turkish Government could
desire. 1t Is officially reiterated that
reports of Turkish reverses at Valestino
are unfounded. The commander of the
Turkish forces at Janina, Epirus. tele-
graphs that the Turks have recaptured
and occupied Louros.
GERMAN INTERESTS
BERLIN. May 3.-A dispatch from
Rome says that the italian government
has instructed the commander of an
italian warship at Patras. west coast Of
Greece, to protect German interests
there.
CONFLICTING RUMORS
ATHENS, May 3-Col Tosamodos,
minister of war, and Nj. Theolokis, min
lister of the interior. are said to be favor
ably impressed with the situation at
Pharealos, both as to the troops and plan
of defense. Rurlors conflict materially
as to the diploma tic attitude of Turkey.
According to one report Edhem Pasha,
the Turkish commander in Thessaly, has
asked an armistice of five days; accord :
ing to another an armistice already ex-
lists by the tacit acquieecence of both
commanders, while third story de-
scribes Edhem Pasha as only awaiting
reinforcements for an attack upon
Pharsalos, to be followed by an attack
upon Volo.
1t is also said to be probable that Ad-
miral Tamatello is preparing to prevent
a possible attempt Of the Turks to seize
| Volo by the coast roads.
VASSOS RECALLED
ATHENS. May 3.-The Greek govern
ment has recalled Col. vassos from
Crete. He will be replaced in command
of the Greek forces in the island by Col.
Staikos.
A BATTLE EXPECTED
LONDON, May 3.-The Times viii to-
morrow print the following dispatch
from its Volo correspondent. dated 3
p. m. today:
when I arrived at Velestino yester-
day afternoon had just seen the Turk
ish infantry advancing In two columns
intending to cut the railway. The
Greeks, 1000 strong, under General Smo-
lenski, by whose side I watched the en-
counter in the rear Of the Eighth regi-
ment under Col. Gannikosta. gradually
advanced our battalion to hold the rail-
way, the other to support the artillery
which had mounted guns on the right
Ecenter.
The Seventh regiment Of infantry un-
der Col. Regli advanced to.a low plateau,
on the left, where two batteries were In
position. Gen. Smolenski had ordered
the shelling to begin when the enemy
was we'll within range, consequently the
| guns did not open fire before $50.
The Turks were evidently about 140O
strong. Their cavalry reconnoitered the
wood where the Greeks were concealed
but the batteries remained silent until
o'clock. and at that time the fire fell
short of being effective. though the
Greek practice was the best have yet
noticed. The Turks ran away from the
shells but continued to advance in good
order Our right was really never en-
gagged. and the railway station was de-
Ifended by only q small force with two
Krupp guns. Towards the end the large
| Turkish center was seen, TO- advance in
the distance, but sunset. at,6:16s ceused
4 temporary cesea ton, ~ y M y Y; T.
Continued on Pare hfse)