Evening star., 1897-05-06
An Attack on the Greeks Repulset
With Great Slaughter.
FIGHT At PHARSALOS AND VELESrINO
Edhem Pasha Loses 5000 Men and
Many Guns.
BATTLE EXPECTED TO-DAY


from Athens asserts that the losses OF The
Greeks in the fighting at Velest'no and
fharsalos yesterday were certainly l.oeo
Killed and wounded. while the Turks lost
| fully 5000 killed and wounded
HEADQUARTERS OF THE GREEK
| ARMY IN THESSALY PHARSALoS NAV
| delayed in transmission).-The Greeks
claim decisive victory in the fighting
which has taken place here and at yeles-
| tino today.
The Greek line was attack by strong
force of 2o.O0o infantry, in addition TO large
forces of artillery and cavalry. The Greek
| right wing was in command Of Col. Mavra-
| michaels, and left wing was commanded by
Col. Makris. Both the Greek wings re-
pulsed the Turks with great slaughter
The railroad station was destroyed by
Turkish shells, and railway communication
between this point and Nolo was inter
rupted
1t is estimate that 1900 Turks were killed
| at Velestino. The enemy also abandoned
a large number of guns.
Preparations are being made with the
utmost activity for the decisive battle,
which seems inevitable for tomorrow.
The cheering from the Greek camp can
! be clearly heard from here. The morale OF
the Greek forces is now all that could be
| desired.
Battle Ficrcely Contested.
number of Turkish shells fell in the
town during the engagement, which was
fercely contested on both sides The Greek
artillery occupied better positions than tine
guns cf the Turks. and was well served
Full credit is given to General Smolenski
for the victory at Velestino. and In some
| quarters it is claimed that the Turks have
been finally repulsed in that direction. This
belief however, is not general.
General Smoenski's victory was the
casion for great rejoicing here. When the
news was received the Greek troops cheer
ed long and enthusiastically, apparently
| overlooking past reverses and being anX-
ious for another brush with the enemy.
Prince Constantine telegraphed his COLI
gratulations to General Smolensh and re-
| oeived a reply from the Greek commander,
saying:
Our success mas been very brilliant,
thanks to the courage of the men. But IL Is
L by Gods help that we have repelled the
enemy"
The crown prince has issued an army or
der congratulating the troops upon having
shown themselves worthy OF the trust re-
posed in them by the country.
1t is stated that Colonel Tertigi, in COM
mand Of the Greek forces at kardltza has
been recalled
Another Battle Expected.
The fighting which is to take place to-
morrow in this vicinity will most likely
turn out to be the most interesting and
decisive of the whole campaign.
In spite of the difficulties which both
sides have experienced with their transport
service the two armies have had plenty of
time to prepare for the final engagement
Though 1t is difficult to predict the re-
suit, there is 10 denying that the odds are
in favor of the Turks. They are over
whelmingly strong in infantry, artillery
and cavalry. The Ottoman troops, more
over, in spite of the repulscs Just experi-
erced, are flushed with victory. full OF
confidence and most eager to engage I'm
battle Moreover, they have implicit con-
fidence in their officers and will follow out
every order to the letter. These officers
thoroughly capable men themselves have
the benefit of the advice of picked German
and Russian officers and are lacking ip
nothing calculated to assist in bringing the
campaign TO brilliant and successful ter
mination. The positions which they occupy
are well chosen, and though repulsed the
Turkish troops are in no way disheartened
AS the campaign stands the loss of a few
thousand mel to the Turks is but triiiing
affair. They have all the men needed and
plenty to spare.
Greeks Occupy Strong Positions.
The Greeks occupy strong, well entrench-
ed positions on high ground, and are act
ing entirely on the defensive. The Greeks
have no cavalry worth mentioning, and are
very weak in artillery. but what guns they
have are well served. The Greek infantry
may be expected to do fairly well while oc-
cupying good, defensive positions. In the
held, or open plain, II is not to be expected
that they will be a match for the Turks
Supplies of all kinds in the Greek camp
are at a premium.
Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander
may safely be reckoned upon to be carry
ing out a well conceived and carefully
followed out plan Of campaign. His main
forces are divided into four divisions and
these divisions are arrayed in a semi-circle-
around Pharsalos. which is backed by high
hills. The extreme right OF the Turkish
commander Is southwest and south of the
railway line at Bazaraki, while three bril-
gades are threatening velestino and yolo
From present Indications it appears that
Edhem Pashas plan is to turn the Greek
TANKS and thus practically surround them.
There ar two features of serious import
at Avail, little more than half way be-
tween Pharsalos and velestino and near
the railroad line connecting these two
places. From this it would appear that
Edhem Pasha's plan is either to feel for
the weakest spot in the extended Greek
line in the direction Of Velestino, and.
later. make an attempt to force his way
through there and attack the right flank of
the Greeks. Or he may be felgning an at
tacks in that direction so to draw from
the. main body of the Greeks at Pharsalos
as many men as possible In the direction
OF Velestino. and then make his wheel AZ
tack upon the Greek left flank, which may
turn out to have been weakened in order
to strengthen other points
May Separate the Armies.
II Edhem Pasha breaks through the
Greek line at Avail he viii in any case
have succeeded in separating the two
Greek armies. the one at yelestino. COM
manded by General smolenski. and tin