The herald., 1897-04-20
WHILE POLITICIANS PALTER
RED WAR CLEANS ALONG THE
WHOLE FRONTIER
Elassona Hospitals Filled With
Wounded Turks, While Greek
Soldiers Lie With Faces
Turned to the Stars
Associated Press Special Wire.

A8SOCldteQ 1EcSS 0PS~AoA "
ATHENS, April 1s.-Mons. skouzes'
the Greek minister Of foreign affairs,
has sent a reply to the note which AS
sim Bey, the retiring Turkish minister
handed to him, announcing that IN
consequence of the aggressive attitude
of Greece, diplomatic relations between
the king of the Hellenes, the sultan or
Turkey and their respective govern
ments were broken off"
Mons. Skouzes in his answer says: I'm
wishing to make Greece responsible for
the rupture of the diplomatic relations,
the imperial government appears to lose
sight of the fact that Greece, far from
proceeding to acts of hostility against
Turkey, has had to suffer during the
last few days from repeated acts OF ag-
gressivenese on the part of the Turkish
army at several points on the frontier.
Owing to the conflict at the Prophet
ELIAS on March s, the royal government
drew the attention of the imperial gov
ernment to the attitude of the Turkish
troops, but instead of yielding to the
spirit of moderation debating the step,
the imperial government appeared dis
posed to precipitate events. Thus, on
Friday, the Turkish army. without
provocation, attempted to obtain pos
session of Analpss, which was mutually
agreed to be neutral territory 1t was
all owing to the persistence of the Greeks
that this attempt to violate neutral ter
ritory failed. The royal government
cannot let pass in silence this act, before
it was officially notified of the rupture
of diplomatic relations, and while the
kings minister at Constantinople was
only notified at an advanced hour of
the fight, the forts of Prevesa opened fire
at o'clock in the morning on the HELEN
&c position at Actium and sunk the Greek
steamer Macedonia.
'In face of these facts, showing there
is little foundation for the assertion of
the sublime porte to the effect that the
Greeks committed acts of hostility, the
responsibility for the consequences can
in no way rest with the kings govern
ment."
While the Incidents of the day along
the eastern portion of the frontier have
not been of notable Importance, the sit
uation at the gulf of Arta and in the vi
cinity of the Albanian frontier have be-
come more favorable for the Greeks. The
bombardment of Prevesa was resumed
at daybreak, with but feeble replies from
the Turkish batteries at Hamadieh and
Pantocratores. The position of the
Turks is untenable. and it is believed
the town will fall into the hands OF the
large Greek force in the vicinity, which
is waiting for the demolition of the re-
naming batteries. The Greek battle
ship Shelzia has taken the lead in the
bombardment
By an order received at Prevesa from
Constantinople at noon today the Gulf
of Arta was officially closed to all but
Turkish ships.
Col Manos, with 25 900 men, having
crossed the Arakphos under the protec-
fion of the Greek artillery batteries, is
now in Epirus. where 1T is believed, his
force is considerably in excess of the
Turkish force. 1t is reported here that
q large body of Albanians estimated at
upwards of 1000, who had crossed the
Greek frontier, with the avowed inten-
tion of pushing on to Larissa, have re-
crossed and are now ravaging Epirus
Arta is practically deserted. The mayor
has transferred the public offices and
records to KorEpote.
Midnight-The Greeks have occupied
several strategic positions around Da-
mast, including Viglia. Three thousand
armed peasants have Joined the troops.
It is alleged that 22, 900 Turks attacked
Reveni
1t is feared that massacre has taken
place at Prevesa during the lombard
ment.