Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-19

longed cheers from the galleries and the
floor of the chamber.
The premier then read dispatches recitine
the events which had happened on the
frontier, and with reference to the reported
capture of Menexa, he said that the bat.
terfes at that important position had beer
brought into action, but he knew nothing
as to its alleged capture. He added tina,
the Turks. after repeated attempts to force
u passage at Reveni. which commands the
road to Larissa, had been driven back.
The leader of the opposition, amid re-
newed cheers from all parts of the cham.
Der, and from the galleries. eloquently in
dorsed the patriotic declaration of M. De.
lyannis.
Turks Threaten Larissa.
According to the general understanding
the Turkish plan of campaign is con-
centration of the Turks near the import
ant Greek frontier town of Tyrnavos. with
ing toward Larissa.
One report, which is generally credited
in Athens, has it that Edhem Pasha, at the
head of 1000 men, has already begun this
moven ent, and rumors In this respect are
flying, the substance of them being that
the battle which is expected to be fought
at or near Tyrnavos has already COM
menced.
the Greek plan of campaign so far as
1t is understood by the Athenians, is found
ed on the defense of Larissa in the first in
stance, an attack upon that place having
been anticipated and prepared for by oc-
cupying and taking every. possible advan-
tage of all strategic points.
The country there is admirably suited for
defense, and, while this defense is under
taken, the Cheek fleet Is relied on to de-
stroy the coast ports of Epirus and Mace
donia. The Greek belief in ultimate sue
cess is based on expectation of a universal
rising of the Macedonions and Epirotes, so
re in 1yfpn iper in
brilliant victory, anywhere, over the
Turks.
The Town of Larissn.
Larissa. known also by the name of
Yenishehr. or ''Newtown," is in European
Turkey, seventy-five miles southwest of the
city and Gulf of Salonica- 1t is situated on
the river Selembia, en- a slope of land ris-
ing gently from the edge of the river 1t
has motley population of 2OGOO, more than
half being Turks, while the remainder are
principally Greeks and Hebrews
Both a Turkish pasha and a Greek arch
bishop have their headquarters in the town
There are few manufacturing establish
ments in Larissa, but the chief industry is
the commerce which is. carried on with
other towns and districts in the products
of the country.
In the mythology and history of the past
Larissa played considerable part being
one of the most important and wealthy
of the ancient province of Thessaly, and,
indeed, is still deemed the Thessalian cap
ital. 1t is said to have been founded by
Acrisius, King of Argos.
The town. through the vigor and energy
of its inhabitants, became very prominent
and was made the capital of Pelasgiotis.
The people of the town took an important
part in the Peloponnesian war, but were
afterward reduced to subsection. Mace
domains, Romans and Turks have all in
turn subjugated the place, and the present
war is. therefore, making the town sec
ond time prominent as bone of contention
between Greeks and Turks.
Around Larissa is a great, sandy plain
broken by occasional hamlets, and within
a short distance of the town there are
splendid views of Mount Olympus, Ossa
and Pelon.
Fighting in MilOuna Pass.
fierce battle ragged in Milouna Pass all
Saturday night. The Greeks who entered
and descended toward the valley, encoun-
tered four battalions of Turks, who drove
them back and at the point of the bayonet
rescued the force garrisoning the Turkish
block house, which the Greeks had encircled
before entering the pass.
Neshad Pasha, commanding the fifth di-
vision, occupied Mount Parma, with a great
force, while Hairi Pasha, commanding the
sixth division. prepared TO enter the.Tchais-
han Pass, and Haidar Pasha, with the
fourth division, occupied the Miouna Pass.
Before dawn Edhem Pasha rode out TO
direct the disposition of these divisions.
A general engagement ensued. The bat
tie ragged along the entire pass, over 10000
men being engaged. The combat turned ON
the possession Of the Greek block house.
which was obstinately defended. Several
vigorous attacks were made by the Turks
without success. but finally, about 8 o'clock,
by magnificent dash, they took the block
house at the point of the bayonet.
Death of Tafiz Pa.ha
The correspondent of the Associated Press
writes:
Il regret to have to announce the death
of Hafiz Pasha at Milouna. The battle is
still undecided, but the Turks, without call
ing up the reserves, have taken almos,
the whole pass. 1t is Impossible to give
details to the losses l saw many
groups of wounded men, but they were
mostly on the heights. Ambulances have
been sent to bring them in. l cannot say
whether the Turks intend to advance on
Larissa."
dispatch from Athens, sent last night
says: In the fighting on the frontier the
Turks have occupied Ana and Enilouna
but they have not succeeded in taking
Kata.
the engagement at Milouna Pass was of
the fiercest character and the losses were
heavy on both sides. The Turks destroyed
two pieces of Greek artillery. The Greeks
captured All entire battery from the Turks.
Three Greek officers of high rank were
killed. large body of Greek troops is
now marching against Menesse and brisk
firing is going: on along the whole line as
far west Arta.