New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-29
WHY THE GREEKS ARE BEATEN.

Chapter by chapter the tale of Greek disaster
is disclosed. 1t is explained how. after lor II
time holding and even gaining ground against
n far superior force the Greek Army was COM
Dellcd TO retire in confusion all along the line
The story is at once one Of the most glorious ana
one Of the most shameful in the annals OF war
The glory belongs to the Greek soldiers. ana 10
some OF their officers who have led with a skill
and fought with a vaor Of which any nation
might we'll be proud. The shame rests upon a
few of the highes. officers and some politicians,
including members of the general staff and OF
The Court circle who through ignorance. cow
ardlce or treason prevented the troops from win
ming victories which were actually within their
grasp, and turned sure triumph into almost hope
less rout. Mr. Rail- is right. The Greek Army
Is intact. 1t has been defeated not by the Turks,
but by its own commanders.
Observe the facts as set forth by shrewd and
impartial correspondent in the field. Down 10
last Friday night the Greek lines on the border
east of Milouna Pass were secure. The Greeks
were not merely holding their own They were
rushing the Turks back. Two days more would
have given them Menexe, and then Elassona
would have been at their mercy. and the TURK
isb Army would have been in a bad trap. But
order came from headquarters for them to re-
treat. and 10 abandon to the Turks all that they
had won and held so bravely and AT such cost.
Thus the whole eastern frontier was opened for
the Turks Nor was that all The Greeks I'M
der the gallant Smolenski were still holding he-
veni Pass and other points west Of Milouna
Pass. from which they could threaten. attack
and perhaps capture Elassona. They were actu-
frr,vl-- hHF or
them when orders came from the Crown Prince
himself for them to halt and maintain a passive
attitude, and then 10 retreat and abandon the
whole western frontier. In the battles around
Natl similar bunders-or crlmes-were COM
mtted One prominent Greek officer. seeing
some Turks occupying the place toward when
lie was marching, turned back ard fed without
firing shot. Another, whose position was at
tackled by the Turks, wanted TO defend IT, ana
could have done so successfully had he received
the rcinforcements for which he asked ana
which might readily have been supplied. But
they were not supplied. and he was ordered 10
retire. Finally instead Of effecting deliberate
and orderly retreat TO Pharsalos the command
ing officers seemed to try almost TO turn it into
a hopeless stampede. There is, moreover. apart
from these operations, the unexplained neglect
of the Greek fleet to paralyze the Turkish Army
by descent upon Salonica which there Is every
reason TO believe il might have done a week ago
with ease.
The last word has not been spoken on these
matters But whatever II may be, it will prob
ably not alter the aspect Of the facts as above
presented, nor weaken in any degree the In
dictment which has been made Of the Crown
Princes staff If not Of the Crown Prince him
self Victory was within reach, and it was de-
liberately sacrificed Whether this was done
Intentionally, or through mere ineptltude, does
not yet appear, and does not greatly matter, ex-
cept so far as dealing with the culprlts is con-
cerned. The mischief has been done, and there
Is little hope Of undoing It. The brave and eff
fectve stand made at Nelestlno shows that the
Greek Army is not destroyed, nor even demoral-
led and that 1t can still fight and win victories
when properly led. But the best leader in the
world might well shrink from the task of trying
10 regain the ground which has been lost during
the last week through the folly or worse Of I'M
worthy commanders.