Omaha daily bee., 1897-04-27

were Obliged to fall back This step was
inevitable, for General Mavromichaelis
telegraphed to Colonel Smolenski, who was
in command as follows: 'Dimpois beaten
Take what measures you think fit
"Thereupon Colonel Smolensk fell back
In fairly good order, but the superb way IN
which the Turks we're swinging around their
forces at once settled the issue OF the day
at Matt. Indeed the Greek forces were en-
tifely outnanked and fell back In confusion.
The crown prince telegraphed for instruc-
tions to King George who replied: III pos
sible defend Larissa II not, do what the
needs OF the case impose
ut was then decided to abandon Larissa,
ard indeed 1t was only just in time. For
tunately many Of the inhabitants have gone,
but the scene was nevertheless terrible
one The troops were pouring back In utter
disorganization from the front, bringing news
that the Turks were following hard after
them. 1t was almost a sauve qui peut. But
the higher military authorities did their
best to save their guns and in this way
were for the most part successful. The
procipitancy with which the place was
evacuated was intensified by the fact that
the order to retreat was issued on Friday
night and the preparations went on all
through the darkness When dawn broke
the work of carrying off the military stores,
provisions and household effects was still
vigorously prosecuted About noon no one
remained in the town save the prefect, sew
eral policemen and few telegraph en-
ployes and they then prepared to start. 1t
is supposed the Turkish troops occupied the
town toward evening
"The news OF this disaster and its con-
sequences has caused absolute CONSERVATION
here and 1t Is impossible to say what may
happen. People have not yet awoke to the
full significance of the blow, but the scenes
everywhere are pitiable to witness.
After the issue of the combat at Matt
the Greek army fell back on its second line
OF defense at Pharsala. Order was gradu-
ally restored to considerable extent, but
the general morale Of the troops had re-
ceived serious blow"
The officials of the Turkish embassy here
have received dispatch from Constantinope
dated sunday, April %, as follows: THE
imperial troops captured at Tyrnavos large
quantities of rifles ammunition, cannon and
provisions. The Greek prisoners were sent
to Elassona The town of Tyrnavos has
been surrounded by military cordons and de-
tachments OF Ottoman cavalry are contin-
ually patrolling that vicinity. Efficient
measures have been taken to avoid any kind
OF depr edation upon the part of troops, whose
correct conduct, however, has won the ad-
miration of all foreigners on the spot"
dispatch has been received here from
Consantnople confirming the announcement
that the lamps of all the lighthouses about
the gulf of Salonica have been extinguished
by order Of the Turkish authorities and that
vessels visiting Salonica will be required to
take aboard pilots while going in and ont
OF the bay or account of the submerged tor
pedoes.
ATHENS, April 26.-Advices received
here from the correspondent of the AS
sociated press with the Turks at I,arissa
says the quantity of military stores aban-
doned by the Greeks at Tyrnavos and other
places proves that they did not retreat but
fed precipitately.
The Greek government has demanded of
the directors of the Thessalan railroads
that they continue the service of the VoIo-
Larissa railroad. If the directors refuse the
government will occupy the line with troops
Three steamers have been sent from here
to Volo to bring away the women and
children who have sought refuge there.
In official circles here it is not believed that
Volo is in danger at present, and the Greek
fleet is relied upon to protect the port in case
of necessity.