The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-20

Ordered to Assume the Ohensive-Sev-
eral Fierce Engagements Already Had.
Turkish Positions Captured by the
Greeks Turkish Assault Last Night on
the Greeks.at Analipsis-Turkish Troops
Hurled to Montenegrin Frontier.
Copyrighted by The Associated Press.)
Headquarters OF the Greek Army. in
Thessaly, Larissa, April 17.-Details of
the fighting between the Greeks and
Turks, at Nezeros, just within the
Greek frontier line. in Thessaly, and
due south OF Mount Olympus have been
received. The lighting originated. ac-
cording to the Greek reports, in an at
tempt upon the part Of the Turkish
forces to occupy an abandoned post OF
the Greeks. The movement was op-
posed by the Greek forces, whereupon
the Turks opened fire and sharp en-
gagement, lasing four hours, ensued
The Greeks eventually retreated. Their
losses are not known. This engage
ment occurred yesterday.
AT o'clock this morning heavy fir
ing between the Turks and the Greeks
near Nezeros, was resumed. The
Greeks, in the meanwhile, had been re-
inforced by artillery. which they
brought into play upon the Turkish
post at Kotroni. The latter was even
tually destroyed with dynamite.
1t is reported as this dispatch is sent
that the Greeks have occupied three
Turkish stations and that the Turks
are retreating. Crown Prince COnstan-
tine, the Greek -cheif,
and General Macris, were up all night
dispatching orders to the front. No
further news has been received from
Macedonia, regarding the movements
Of the Greek irregulars. The weather
is still bitterly cold in the mountains.
Headquarters of the Turkish Army in
Macedonia, ElassOna, April 17.-S a. m.
News has reached here that the Greek
band has attacked the Turkish troops
at Karya, northwest of NeZeroSa. A
Turkish officer and two men were
wounded. AS this message is forward
ed the fighting continues and coun-
Gil Of war is sitting here. under the
presidency Of Edham Pasha, the Turk
ish commander-in-chie
Salonica, April ia battalion Of AL
banians stationed at Uskub, in read
| mess to start for the Greek frontier,
has been sent in haste to Verana. on
| the Montenegrin frontier, and another
| battalion, now in course Of formation,
| will follow as soon as possible. This
unexpected movement of Turkish
| troops toward the MOntenegrin frontier
has given rise to the report that serious
| danger is apprehended in that direc-
| ton. - 1ez-~~-
| Athens, April IA telegram from
| Larrissa dated at 4:3O o'clock o. m.
says that firing is still proceeding and
| that the cannon can be distinctly
| heard.
10 p. m-OrderS were sent this after
| noon to the Greek troops to keep strict
ly on the defensive. but to maintain
| their positions at all costs.
Constantinople, April 1.-THE coun-
Gil Of ministers after a session at the
| palace today declared that war had
broken out on the frontier. owing to
the incursion by the Greeks on Turkish
territory, and Edham Pasha, the Turk
ish military commander was ordered to
assume the offensive. This announce
ment Of the actual existence Of a state
of war on the frontier was at first mis-
understood, reports that the council
Of ministers had declared was upon
Greece being widely circulated. 1t wa.
| also reported that the council Of min
listers had decided to recall Assim Bey
| the Turkish minister at Athens, to give
| passports to Prince MaurocOrdato, the
| Greek minister at ConstantinOple
These reports Of the severance OF all
diplomatic relations between Turkey
and Greece have been denied.
| The situation is summed I'D in a de-
tailed circular sent this evening to the
Turkish representatives abroad. This
| circular recalls the weeks invasion OF
Turkish territory and states that the
newest incursion was participated in by
| Greek troops, thereby establishing war
The circular expresses the hope that
| the powers, in a spirit Of Justice viii
agree that the entire responsibility fol
the war falls on Greece. Turkey has nc
idea Of conquest, the circular adds and
as a fresh proof of pacific sentiments
| the sublime porte offers to retire the
Turkish troops on the frontier if Greece
| will retire her forces from the frontier
| and from Crete.
Athens, April 17.-Midnight-In spite
of the fact that official reports indicate
| that firing on the frontier ceased a
| midday, a telegram from Larissa a
Z o'clock in the evening says that firing
continued past o'clock this afternoon
| The line of fire extended from Mount
Analipss post to Klephtike Gentekia
a distance equal to nienty mintes
march. The Turks, falling back, aban
doned several stations. which the
Greeks PROMPTLY occupied. The Greek:
cannonaded the Turks from the Greel
position at Tsamteja, in the rear. Ths
cannonading caused much excitement
at other points. Since noon strong
| bodies of the Turks have centered in
| the direction of Mount Analipsis. A
o'clock the firing slackened. 1t is ex
pected that the Turks will attempt e
night attack upon Analipsis, which
was the central point Of the battle
Greek reinforcements have arrived, anC
there is a general movement of troop:
| toward tn frontier. Reinforcement:
are being hurried toward the frontier
| from all directions.
Athens, April Isl a. m.-An officia
dispatch from Larissa. dated at
o'clock last Saturday night, says tina
the Turks under cover Of darkness are
assaulting the Greek forces at Mount
Analipsis, with great ferceness. This
Greek resistance, so far, has been mag
| nifcent and spirited.
He Lost too Many Days.
Washington, April 17.-James ]. viii