Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-15
GREEKS OCCUPYING BALTlNO
Turkish Troops Escaped Only
After Fourth Attempt.
TURKS LOST THIRTY MEN KILLED
Town of Krania Captured by
the Insurgents.
Maeedonians and EpIrotes Urged to Rise
for Freedom = Invaders Advance I'M
checked by Turkish Troops-ltsiian Vol
unteers Unable to stand Gold Weather.


Athens. Greece. April 10. --Dispatches
received to-day from Larissa give de-
tails OF the invasion, Of Macedonia by a
force of irregular Greek troops Three
thousand men, il Ia announced, crossed
the frontier on Wednesday, the day
after the celebration Of tho anniversary
OF the declaration OF Greek independ-
ence in 1921. Tuesday, the day OF the
celebration, was looked upon as likely
to be the day the Greeks would select
for opening hostilities, but Tuesday,
in Greece, Is considered an unlucky
day upon which to embark any under
taking of Importance. and 30 the cross
ing of the frontier was postponed until
Wednesday,. Tho Greek expeditionary
force Ia commanded by ex-oliicers and
ex-non- commissioned Off jers Of the
regular army of Greece, and includes
the band Of Italian volunteers COM
manded by Col. Ciprinai. The 30
called insurgents are all well armed.
and have been equipped at the expense
OF tine Etnike Hetairia, the famous
and powerful Greek secret society
which has been the root and branch of
the present crisis, practically controll-
ing the country. The members OF the
expedition all wear the badge Of the
Etnike Hetairia, and wers given an
enthusiastic send-off by the Thessalians
and Greek troops. The latter. 1t is
almost Unnecessary to add, made no at
tempt to prevent the departure of the
expedition, and therefore it cannot be
claimed that the movement WAS un-
known to the Greek authorities. Two
Greek flags were solemnly entrusted to
the charge OF the insurgents, and good
arrangements have been made for for
warding food and other supplies to tho
expeditionary force. Tho news of the
invasion has caused the most intense
excitement here.
Trikhala, Thessaly, April 12. l a. IN.
Tho plan OF the insurgents is to
occupy 'Baltino. on the frontier OF
Macedonia, in order to prevent the
Turks from taking up more advanced
position. Directly the Greeks crossed
the frontier their leaders issued a
proclamation calling upon the Mace
domains and Epirotes to rise for free
dom. lsH,
London. Eng, April IA special
dispatch from Trikhala says that tho
Turkish garrison Of Baltino, number
ing about 300 men, which was besieged
by the Greek insurgents, has cut its
way through tie Greeks, with loss of
80 men killed. 1t is added that the
fighting was stubborn. 1t was only at
the fourth attempt that the Turks were
able to issue from their barracks
The insurgenta, the special dispatch
further states, continued their march
intoMacedonia and captured tie town
Of Krania. Further, they pursued the
Turks close to Cipria, which ia only
two hours distant from Grevena.
Throughout the operations the in
surgents, according to che special dis
patch, lost only three chiefs killed and
four men wounded.
1t is reported that Turkish frontier
detachments, yesterday, fired on and
killed Greek private and a peasant,
who we're carrying dispatches to CAL
colivri.
Athens. Greece. April 10. = The
frontier situation 10 developing slowly.
Bad weather-snow, rain and bitterly
cold winds-has made campaigning in
the mountainous districts anything but
picnic. 1t has retarded all move
ments. and all dispatches are being
considerably delayed not unusual
occurrence since tho beginning OF the
present crisis. The Development ia not
the less menacing, and az open out
break of hostilities or bacsdown upon
the part of one or both OF the countries
most interested cannot be much longer
delayed, .as the strain of maintaining
armies Of about 10000 mon each in
the field is being felt with steadily in
creasing severity by both Turkey and
Greece, SO that declaration Of war
would BIO welcomed by either side with
feeling Of relief. 1t is an open secret
hero that, by the end of the present
week, at least 10000 Greek "irregu-
lars" will be in Macedonia, Albania
aud Epirus. having been sent under
the pretonse Of maintaining the status
quo in obedience to the representations
OF the Powers.
The Turkish minister at Athens, yes
terday, called the attention of NJ.
Skeuzes. the Greek Minister of Foreign
Affairs, to the departure from Greece of
donia, complaining of their being able
reply resolved was similar to the one
previously made by the Greek premier,
NJ. Delyannis, namely that Greece
might mako the same complaint as to
the vigilance of the Turkish troops,
unless there was suggestion of con-
nivance between the two armies.
The next important move which will
be heard OF will be from the Greek
headquarters at Arta, where the banks
and principal stores are closing and
removing into the interior and every
other preparation possible Is being
made to get out of harms way before
the war begins in earnest. At Aria. it
is well known here, a force OF about 9. 900
men. organized by the Ethnike Hetairia,
has either started for Turkish territory
or is making the final preparations for
so doing. This body will be divided
into six separate detachments, each
ably directed and having a separate
destination, with the Wow of raising
the flag Of the cross In certain
locality. increasing its numbers as much
as possible and harassing the rear of
the Turkish force which will be directed
from Janina against the Greek regulars
who will operate against the Turks
from. Arta. The Crock government has
given "strict orders'' to stop the de-
parture of this force of "irregulars,
but it is semi officially explained that
the Greek commander at Arta, Col
Manos. lis unable to spare men TO
intercept them.n Nobody ever expected
be would be able to "spare menn to