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

Making an Effort to Cut the Turkish Line
of Communication and Raising the Mace
domains to Re~volt-SeveraI Turkish Posts
C~aptured-The Italian Volunteers With
the Greek acknowledgement las
Says the Two Nations Must be Let AIon e.
Larissa, Thessaly, April 15.-There is
no truth in the Turkish reports that
the Greek ~irregulars have been driven
out Of Macedonia. 1t is true that a
few of the irregulars who formed part
of the expeditiOnary force have return
ed into Greek territory, but these are
men who for some reason have been
unable to keep up with the main body
of the Greeks and, consequently, they
have retreated across the frontier.
The main body Of the irregulars is
continuing Its successful operations
against the Turks, with the view Of
cutting the Turkish lines of commune
cation. getting in the rear of the Turks
and raising the Macedonians against
the rule Of the sultan. The report of
the capture of Kipuri, north Of Bal
tinO, by the Greeks, is confirmed and in
addition the main forces of the irregu-
lars of the expedition ave advanced
as far as Pigavitza, where there is an
important bridge across a mountain
torrent. From that point Chief Dave
lis, who is directing the operations, has
sent a detachment, consisting of the
Italians under Colonel Cipriani, the
we'll known socialist leader, to the left
of Pigavitza, with instructions to at
tack and capture ZlOyof, a small town
occupying IN important strategic pO-
sitiOn. The Italians accomplished tneIT
task in due time and with considerable
skill. They are now holding ZlovOf
and placing themselves in a position to
withstand an attack from the Turks
simultaneously with ordering the
movement against ZlovOf, Chief Dave-
lis sent another column of irregulars
to the right from Pigavitza under or
ders to invest and capture SitOvOn, an
other town occupying a strategic posi-
ton of Importance. This movement
was also successfully carried out, the
Greeks killing seven Turks and cap
turing five Turkish prisoners during
the assault, which was brilliantly con-
Quoted and brought to an end by the
blowing up of the Turkish blOckhOuse
wit dynamite.
After the capture Of ZlOvOf the Greek
irregular force operating in that direc-
ton continued it's advance as far as
Kritudes, PIisi and Kourduzi. The
Greeks have been instructed to hold the
latter place at all costs, as it COM
and their approach to Grevena,
which is held by a strong Turkish
forCe-infantry, cavalry and artillery
and which is to be the objective point
of the Greek expedition. The Greek
~irregulars now hold all of the four
roads leading from the T~hessalian ron
tier in the direction of Grevena which
may be looked upon as the Turkish
centre.
" =, g. IT, lz.I on nm
regulars and some 10000 irregularS
on the frontier, but they count a great
deal on reinfOrcements to their armies
through risings in Epirus, Albania
and Macedonia.
The Turks, on the other hand, have
about $50, 900 good, well equipped troops
in line. OF these, fOrty-fOur battal-
ions are Redifs in Rumelia, in all 10000
men, who are divided into two respec-
tive divisions.
London, April 15.-The Athens CORE
%spOndent of The Times will say to-
morrow: The failure of the first aid
has deepened the general XaSpera
ton and led to much angry recimina-
tons. The Ethnike Hetariria blames
the government and the latter blames
the brotherhood. 1t is quite evident
that the Hetairia expected to be sup
ported by the regular troops on the out
break Of a war thus precipitated. A
pessimistic tone is becoming more and
more noticeable. but the clamor for war
does not diminish.
Vienna, April 15.-Tt is said here to-
night on reliable authority that EN-
peror Nicholas has declared hat moth
ing now remains but to abandon Tur-
key and Greece to their fate and leave
them to measure strength. His majes-
ty is reported to AVE added emphati-
cally that if Turkey now declared war
it would be exclusively due to the prov
ovation offered by Greece. Greece
would be regarded in Austrian official
circles as the actual assailant.