, 1897-04-21

Omclal QlspatcheS report also that FUR
ther heavy breaches have been made il
the Turkish forts at Prevesa. The bonn
bardment ceased at nightfall, but will b.
resumed this wednesday, morning
The ironclad Spetsia has left the Gulf o
A.rta to join the eastern squadron
which, it is said, has an important mis-.
sion.
The news of the capture Of Damasi
puts a new complexion upon the situa,
ito on the frontier, is a great encour-
agement to the government, and is like
ly to have the most exhilarating effec,
upon the spirits Of the Greeks, who had
been greatly depressed by the reverses
OF their troops at Milouna pass. This
success, and the fact thai the fall OF Pre-
vesa seems imminent, virtually offsets
the calamity of, Milouna.
If the Greek divisions effect a union
at Damasi, as is expected, there Is almost
nothing in the way Of their prompt ad-
vance to Elassona. If Tyrnavo falls in
to the hands of Edhem Pasha and the
Turkish troops sweep down upon the
plain and advance to Larissa to meet
the force concentrated there under the
crowned prince, they will be between two
grand divisions OF the Greek army.
This seems to have been the object of
Greek strategy.
Should the Greeks succeed in reduc-
ing the forts at Prevesa, as now seems
probable, and occupy the town with the
large land force cooperating with the
bombarding warships. the royal road
to Janina will be open and the Turkish
troops in Epirus placed at the most seri-
GUS disadvantage. The strategic value
OF Prevesa to the Turkish division in
Albania is that SO long as it remains in
the hands Of the Turks it makes possible
a steady line of munitions and food sup
| plies. With Prevesa in the hands Of
the Greeks, this line would be promptly
cut, and 1t would be practically impos-
sible to revictual the Turkish troops by
the long land cute through Macedonia.
On the other hand the Greek troops
could be revictualed by sea.
THE GREEK FLEET.
It is stated here in well-intormed cir
cles that the eastern squadron OF the
Greek fleet, which will shortly be re-in>
forced by the ironclad Spetsia, is plan,
ming an important movement. This is
probably directed against Salonica. II
this is made with dispatch, 1t is quite
possible that the Greek ships could reach
the gulf and shell the town Of Salonica
before the Aegean squadron Of the Turk
ish feet could interfere. The object OF
such a bombardment would be to cut
| OF the Macedonian line Of supplies to
| Edhem Pasha's camp at Elassona.
Should the Greek troops advance from
supplies could cut at that point and
render the navel movement unnecessary.
And 1t Ia possible that the brilliant sue
cess at Damasi will cause a modification
in the sea program OF the Greeks.
Taking a general survey Of the field
tonight tmidnight) the fortunes Of war
thus far are pretty evenly divided, but
the chances for the immediate future
are decidedly in favor Of the Greeks. An
Official dispatch from Arta says that aft
er crossing the Aracthos at Bani, the
Greeks occupied the villages of Neokhori
and sakhikalama, where they strongly
i%ntrenched themselves. Colonel Manos
is now advancing northward in the di-
rection of Paraskevi. The Greeks re-
pulsed an attempt Of the Turks to cross
the bridge at 10 o'clock this morning. A
number of Greeks, among them several
officers, were killd and othrs were
wounded
GREEKS CROSS THE FRONTIER.
A dispatch from Arta says that 5000
Greeks have crossed the frontier at Bani
and a severe artillery duel has been in
progress since Monday. The Greek ar
tillery has silenced the Turkish Imauret
fort, comanding the town. Two at
tempts by the Turks to cross the river
were repulsed. There has been brisk ar,
tillery and infantry firing along the line
for about five miles. Two Greek Officers
and many Turks have been killed.
The government has addressed q note
to the foreign ministers and consuls in
Greece, calling their attention TO the
fact that Greece has adhered to the dec
larations Of the Berlin congress In 1850,
and expressing the hope that foreign
governments will respect the laws OF
neutrality.