Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-12
BENT ON A FIGHT.
Greek Society at the Bottom Of
the Cretan Trouble.
SEEMS LIKELY TO HAVE IT'S WAY,
Declaration OF War Looked for Today or
Tomorrow Some Details Of the Raid
Across the Border-Enginecred by the
Ethnize Hetairia, the Greek Revolu-
tionary Fraternity-Planso of the Body As
Stated by One of the Insiders,


Ethnike Hetairia, the Greek Revolu-
tionnry Fraternity-Planso of the Body as
Stated by One of the Insiders.
Athens, April 12.-Accounts are very
conflicting as to what really happened
last Friday when the frontier was
crossed by the insurgents. A special
correspondent of the Associated Press
went to Larissa Saturday evening and
ascertained that the invaders numbered
upward Of 5000. Among them were
Amilcare Cipriani and his Italian vol
unteers. The entire force was under
the command of three ex-ofIicers of the
Greek army-Kapsalopoulas Mylanos
adm Ziepetros-and four Macedonia
chiefs, Zermas, Davelis, Vrakas and
Sarantio. The rendezvous was at Kon-
iskas, village near Kalabanla. The
men were all fully armed, and wore the
national costume. their black fur caps
bearing the badge and initials of the
Ethnike Hetairia embroidered in blue
and white with the words En- Tonto
Nika" crossing the initials in black
tNote-The Ethnike Hetairia Is secret
society whose business it is to stir up
rebellion in Hellenic countries against
the Turk and 1t is almost certain that
IL is at the bottom of the present trouble
and is so strong among the Greeks that
the crown would be in danger if King
George refused to act upon the society's
policy.1
Two Bands Cross the Line.
On Friday monk from Mount Athos,
assisted by his abbot and two deacons,
held q religious service at Konskas at
which all membres OF the invading body
partook OF the sacrament and registered
the oath of the order Liberty or Death"
IN addition to large quantities of ammu-
milton and provisions the force had 5000
pounds of gold. During Friday night,
Following tEe service, the frontier was
crossed, the force moving in the direc-
ton of SchuilS. While this movement
was in progress a second band, the num-
Der of which is unknown. had a rendez-
Vous at NeZercs, On the frontier. about
thirty-fve kilometres north of Larissa
and near the coast. This pand was SIM
ilarly equipped. had a similar mission,
and took the same oath. 1t was COM
manded by the Macedonian chief Sin
sinikos. 1t crossed the frontier on Thurs
day night, marching on Karya.
Some Details Of the Fighting,
The invading insurgents first ad-
vanced toward Chassanga. 1t is report
ed that the Turks opposed the attack
with artillery. The Greek losses were
twenty-three killed and twenty-seven
wounded. The Turkish losses are said
to have been much greater. 1t is ru-
mored that yet another attack was
made on the Turks at the rear of Mount
Olympus where the Greeks succeeded
in planting a flag. Some details are at
hand as to the skirmish near Grevena,
On Thursday morning 1.500 Euzonli
uniformed and commanded by Greek
officers, crossed the frontier near Bal
timon and advanced to a point near
Grevena- Here they met a detachment
CT the Fifteenth chasseurs, on picket
duty.in the woods. and hemmed them
in. After two hours of sharp fighting
the Sixth battalion of chasseurs came
to the rescue and drove the Euzeni
back to the frontier.
Sultan Says 1t Was "a Raid of Regulars
London. April 12.-The Times prints
the following dispatch from its Athens
correspondent: The porte in a protest
to the powers against the Greek in
vasiOn says that the regular Greek
army entered Turkish territory near
Grevena and committed acts of host;li-
~ by destroying three posts The
protest further declares that these acts
virtually constitute an act of aggression
and a causus belli, and denounces
Greece as an aSgressor in the affair.
The choice Of the moment to begin the
war does not rest with King George or
with the government, but with the
Ethnike Hetairia. The activity of this
,,V.e -..af-- --sat ion, hos lxa
in Macedonia and only incidentally in
Crete.
Denied by Prince Constantin.
New York. April L. - The Press
prints the following from its special
correspondent at Larissa, Thessaly: 1
had a personal interview with the
Crown Prince Constantin. commander
in-chief OF the Greek troops. at his head
quarters here this afternoon. The prince
talked freely of the situation now con-
fronting the people. Ee said: The
incursion into Turkish territory by sew
eral rebel bands of armed Greeks was
wholly unauthorized by me. and abso-
lutely against my policy and my ir-
structions from the king. Their attack
upon the Moslems will by no means be
used as an excuse to begin war. and
/ shall do my utmost to prevent a
repetition of such a violation of the
neutrality laws. The Turkish position
captured by these rebels will not be
occupied by the Greek army, nor will
we aid the invaders in any way.
shall remain here without taking any
aggressive action unless forced to, no
matter how long it may be. until the
Cretan question is finally settled"