The herald., 1897-05-08
The Powers Ready to Mediate With
Turkey, But Greece Declines to
Express Willingness to Ac-
cept Mediation
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated FreSS Speclal wire.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE TURK
ISH ARMY IN THESSALY, PHARSA-
LOS, May 6-(Delayed in transmission
The Turkish army tonight is bivouacing
in the eighteen villages surrounding
Pharsalos. captured from the Greeks.
The battle began at 9 o'clock in the
morning. After skirmishes by the ad-
vance posts the Greek forces opened
fire with great precision. The Turks
rushed forward exposing themselves to
the Greek fire with the greatest sang
froid. The Greeks then made a fatal
error in leaving the commanding posi-
ton which they occupied and retiring
upon the plain which was commanded
on all points by four batteries which
were brought into action as soon as the
Greeks left the hills. The scene which
followed was both interesting and cruel.
The Greeks from all parts of the plain
were converging toward stone bridge
spanning the river which was the only
means of getting over. The mass of
humanity at this point was constantly
growing when the roar Of the Turkish
artillery began. The Turks obtained
the exact range Of the enemy and shell
after shell fell and exploded in the midst
of the fugitives. The havoc created by
the shrapnel was terrible. Gradually
however, through this decimating fire
the greater part of the Greeks crossed
the river.
The Turks who were then covering the
plain like bees met with strong resist
ance while attacking Valasi, the Greeks
from hidden points opening a furious
fire. In the face of this the Turks ad-
vanced with marvellous temerits. and
captured the village not so much by
force of arms as by the fear with which
their splendid insouciance inspired the
enemy Owing to the fact that 1t was
not yet decided to commence the deci-
sive engagement until tomorrow the
Turkish division intended to take the
enemy in flank only, and arrived only
a half hour before the close of the COM
bat today having marched thirty miles.
The Greek guns, while they opened
we'll, ended badly, while ours were
served better than usual.
The Turkish attack on Vasili was
made without any previous plar. The
men were ordered to capture the place,
and they advanced quietly, shooting as
though hunting. The Greeks MAIN
tanned whitening fire. I saw a Turk
wounded in the leg advancing to the
attack on all fours.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press is writing this dispatch in the
midst of the bivouac in Edhem Pasha's
headquarters. The general and his staff
officers at the same time are forming
little group around lantern, studying
the war maps for tomorrow's opera
tions.
The Turks captured mountain bat
terry and a number of mules a great
quantity of ammunition and provis-
ions and the personal effects of the
Greek princes. Constantine and Nicho-
las.
ADVANCE ORDERED
CONSTANTINOPLE, May 7.-Or-
ders have been telegraphed to Edhem
Pasha to push on to Domokos immedi-
ately.
ADVANCE ON vOLO
LONDON, May "A dispatch to the
Times from Velastino dated at noon
yesterday says: The Turkish troops
have reachedAthe outskirts of Volo. AS
yet there Is no confirmation of the ru-
NOR that the town has already fallen
but IN any case it's capture is only an
affair of few hours. as the defenses on
the land side are very feeble.
A portion of the Greek forces has re-
treated by the coast road to Almyros,
from which point it will probably be
conveyed by sea to Lamia, and rejoin
the rest of the army at Domokos.
STILL RETREATING
PHARSALOS, May IAN engage
ment began early today near velestino,
and lasted several hours, the Greeks
being finally beaten back. They have
retreated upon Volo, sharply pursued
by the Turks
FOREIGN AID ASKED
VOLO, May THE consuls have de-
cided to ask the foreign warships to
land detachments. and have promised
to protect the town.
WILL BE NO FIGHT
ATHENS. May 1.-The Greek fleet at
Vclo has been instructed not to hinder
the advance of the Turks in order to
save the town from destruction.
Gen. Smolenski's artillery, engineers
and some cavalry have proceeded to
Almyros by sea.
Crowds Of volunteers continue to ar
rive here, and 1000 Italians. led by Ric-
cotti Garibaldi, left tonight for the from
tier. 4
ROYALTY'S DANGER
LONDON. May THE Rome corre-
Spondent Of the Daily Mall says: Private