Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-05-12
GREEKS IN RETREAT.
Dispatches Received at Athens
Show that the Troops EVacu-
ated VeleStinO.

Athens, May IA dispatch just re-
ceived from Almyro announces that Gen.
Smolentz's brigade arrived there this
morning after having effected a retreat
from Nelestino in good order.
A panic prevails at Lamia, on the Gulf
of Lamia which is now the base Of sup
plies for the Greek forces at Domoko.
Many of the inhabitants are fleeing from
the place, fearing it will be attacked by
the Turks. Three vessels brought refu-
gees from Lamia to the PiraeuS yeSter-
day evening.
Depression at Athens.
Athens May There is great depres-
sion in Athens today on the news OF the
retreat Of the Greek army to Domoko,
notwithstanding the victory the day be-
fore, and many wild rumors are at1oat.
NJ. ScOuloudis, minister of foreign affairs.
gave me All interview in private house
today He assured me that the ministers
were not discouraged by the position, as
the Greek troops had held their own at all
points against odds of nearly three to one,
there being $4,000 Turks to 25,OOO Greeks
on the two lines.
He said the order for retreat was given
after council of war held here to pre-
vent the Turks from being able to take
the Greeks in flank, which their numerl-
cal superiority made possible.
Commanders have no doubt OF being
able to hold their present positions in
definitely. The wounded men, arms and
ammunition were transferred back in
perfect order. A correspondent asked if
the removal of Col. Vassos from Crete
was a preliminary to the withdrawal of
Greek troops.
He replied: at has nothing to do with
it. 1t was considered that his presence
was required here on the frontier. The
withdrawal of the troops from Crete is
not under consideration by the council
The minister refused any information
l asked finally: ''May the policy of
your government be described as one of
war or peace!
He replied: GAS we are at war ours
must naturally be a war policy, but the
object of war is peace"
Left Ammunition.
Constantinople, May Am official
communique reterates that the excuses
attributed to the Turkish troops at Lar
issa are infamous caiumnies and that al
legged Turkish evacuation of Trikhala is
unfOunded.
The proposed mediation Of the powers
between Turkey and Greece is viewed
with favor by the Turkish government.
Another batch of men who have been
on trial charged with participating in the
massacre of Armenians in the streets of
Tokat, District of Sivas, have been SEN
fenced. Three of them have been con-
demned to death and four others have
been sentenced to terms of from three to
ten years imprisonment.
The authorities of Erzeroum have
been ordered to hold eleven regiments of
the famous Hamideh cavalry in readi-
ness in case they are wanted for service
in TheSsaly.
A battalion of rediffs has been sent to
the island of Mitylene as precaution
against a possible landing of the Greeks
there.
The Turkish government last night re-
ceived the following official dispatch from
Pharsaiia:
r"At dawn the imperial troops. having
attacked the enemy, occupied Pharsalia,
rom which place portion of the Greek
roops had already begun to retreat dur
- the night, defeated them and cap
tured the town.
"a division of cavalry pursued the enc
my on the road to DOmOko and the di
vision of Khari Pasha has been ordered
to advance in that direction. The
Greeks left ammunition and provisions at
Pharsalia."
A Murderous Fire.
Pharsalia Headquarters Of the Turk
ish Army in TheSsaly), May 5-Night.-
delayed in transmission.)- 1.-The Greeks
in retiring across the plains toward the
town suffered terrible loss from the muir
ing the retreat the Greeks were COM
PEELED to cross the river by a single
bridge AS the Greek troops were
massed at that point the Turkish artil-
lery wrought fearful havoc among them.
Nevertheless the Greeks fought desper-
ately until nightfall.
Washington, d. c.. May THE Turk
ish legation has received dispatch from
Constantinople supplementing that of
last night announcing the occupation of
Pharsalia. 1t says:
To-day at dawn Thursday the i'm
perial troops having attacked the enemy
located at Pharsalia, who had in part
commenced to flee during the night,
whipped them and took possession of the
town. The cavalry division pursues the
enemy on the road of Domoko and
Khairi Pasha's division has been ordered
to proceed in that direction. The Hell
lenes left at Pharsalia ammunition of
war and provisions"
Shelled Turkish Camp.
Salonica, May delayed in transmits
sion).-The Greek fleet today dropped a
number of shells into the Turkish camp
at Kassandra, but they did no harm.
The Greeks did not try to effect a land