The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-19
TURKS SINK A STEAMER.
The Greek Fleet BOmbards Prevesa
IN Retaliation.

In Retaliation.
Copyright, 1897 by the Associated Press.
Athens, April IS, II a. m.-The Turkish
batteries at Prevesa, on the north shore
of the entrance of the Gulf of Arta, where,
according to the treaty of Berlin, the
Turks had no right TO erect fortihcations.
fired on and sank Greek steamer. the
Macedonia, this morning, while she was
attempting to leave the Gulf of Ambracia.
The crew of the steamer were saved by
boats from the shore, but the captain of
the Macedonia was severely wounded.
Upon receipt of this news the Greek gov
ernment sent orders to the Greek fleet in
the Gulf of Ambracia to lombard Prevesa.
Consequently the bombardment of Prevesa
commenced at 6 O'clock this morning and
continues as this dispatch is sent.
Prevesa, which is in Epirus and eighteen
miles from Arta, is strongly fortified
The Turkish minister here, Assim Bey,
asked for his passports; they were hand
ed him, and he has left Athens for Con-
stantinople.
The German minister at Athens, Baron
Won Plesson, has undertaken to protect
Turkish interests in Greece during the
severance of diplomatic relations between
the two countries.
The Greek minister at ConstantinopIe,
Prince Mavocordato. has been recalled.
Throughout the day there were scenes
or extraordinary excitement here. The
streets were crowded with people eagerly
discussing the outbreak of war and the
probable outcome. The general feeling
was one of satisfaction at the relief from
the irritating tension Of the past few
weeks, which had gradually become al
most unendurable and which is ended at
last by overt acts, 1t is claimed here, upon
the part of Turkey.
The Greeks hold that it was an attempt
upon the part of the Turkish forces to oc-
cupy strategic position near Mount An
alipsis not far from Nezeros, in the neu-
tral zone, which led to the encounter on
Friday between the Greeks and the Turks.
This, it is added, was used al Cohstan>
tinople as a reason for ordering Edhem
Pasha, the Turkish commander-in-chief,
to assume the offensive and led to the
rupture of diplomatic relations between
the countries
The so-called outrage of Prevesa this
morning, when the Turkish batteries there
sank the Greek steamer Macedonia fur
ther justified Greece, in the minds of the
Athenians. in waging war to the death
against Turkey
Little news of a reliable nature has been
received here or allowed to leak out re-
garding what has really transpired on
the frontier It Is known, however, that
the whole frontier of Thessaly has been
blazing with murderous firing since early
this morning, aud that the Greeks have
captured a fortified position at Menexe, In
Macedonia.
According to the general understanding
here the Turkish plan Of campaign IS a
concentration Of the Turks near the inn
portant Greek frontier town of Tyrnavos,
with a view Of forcing the mountain pass
es leading toward Larlssa. One report,
which is generally credited, has It that
Edhem Pasha, at the head of 1900 men,
has already begun this movement, and
rumors in this respect are flying the sub
stance Of them being that the battle which
Is expected to be fought at or near Tyran-
avos, has already commenced.
The Greek plan OF campaign, 50 far as
IL is understood by the Athenians, is
founded on the defense Of Larissa In the
first instance an attack upon that place
having been anticipated and prepared for
by occupying and taking every possible
advantage OF all strategic points. The
country there Is admirably suited for de-
fense. and, while this defense Is under
taken, the Greek fleet is relied on 10 de-
stroy the coast ports OF Epirus and Mace
donia. The Greek belief IN ultimate sue
cess is based on the expectation OF a un-
iversa rising of the Macedonlas and Epi-
rotes so soon as the Greeks succeed IN
winning q brilliant victory, anywhere, over
the Turks