The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-07
WEDNESDAYS BATTLE.
Greeks Occupied Better Positions thar
Edhem Pasha's Army.

creeks occupied beltef
Edhem Pasha's Army.
LONDON, May 6-The following details
of yesterdays fighting, delayed in trans
mission, have been received from corre-
spondent who was at the headquarters of
the Greek army at Phersala THE Greeks
claim a decisive victory in the fighting
which has taken pi.ce here and at Veles-
tino to-day (Tuesday) The Greek line was
attacked by a strong Turkish force of 10000
infantry, in addition to large forces of ar
tillery and cavalry. The Greek right wing
was in command of Colonel Mavromichaels
and the left wing was commanded by
Colonel Makris. Both the Greek wings re-
pulsed the Turks with great slaughter. The
railroad station was destroyed by Turkish
shells and railway communication between
this point and Volo was interrupted. 1t is
estimated that two thousand Turks were
killed at Velestino. The enemy also aban
doned large number of guns.
"The cheering from the Greek camp can
be clearly heard from here. The morale
of the Greek force is now all that could be
desired A number of Turkish shells fell
in the town during the engagement which
was fiercely contested by both sides The
Greek artillery occupied better positions
than the guns of the Turks, and was well
| served. Full credit is given to General
Smolenski for the victory at Velestino, and
in some quarters it is claimed that the
Turks have been finally repulsed in that
direction. This belief, however, is not gen
eral. General Smolenski's victory was the
| occasion for great rejoicing here When
the news was received the Greek troops
cheered long and enthusiastically, appar-
emily overlooking past reverses and being
brI1 TUit ba
Prince Constantine telegraphed his con-
gratulations to General Smolenski and re-
ceived a reply from the Greek commander,
saying: Our success has been brilliant,
thanks to the courage of the men. But it
is by Gods help that we have repelled the
enemy. The crown prince has issued an
army order congratulating the troops upon
having shown themselves worthy Of the
trust reposed in them by the country. 1t
is stated that Colonel Tertigi in command
Of the Greek forces at Karditza, has been
recalled.
THE fighting which is to take place to-
| morrow Thursday in this vicinity will
most likely turn out to be the most inter
esting and decisive of the whole campaign.
In spite of the difficulties which both sides
have experienced with their transport serv-
ice, the two armies have had plenty of time
to prepare for the final engagement.
Though it is difficult to predict the result,
there is no denying that the odds are in fa-
vor of the Turks. They are overwhelming
ly strong in infantry, artillery and cavalry.
The Ottoman troops moreover, in spite of
the repulses just experienced are flushed
with victory, full off confidence and most
eager to engage in battle. Moreover, they
have implicit confidence in their officers
and will follow out every order to the let
ter. These officers, thoroughly capable men
themselves, have the benefit of the advice
of picked German and Russian officers and
are lacking in nothing calculated to assist
in bringing the campaign to a brilliant and
successful termination. The positions which
they occupy are well chosen, and, though
repulsed. the Turkish troops are in no way
q ha n1r mn ajcrg1 cfa aV,1g +l1n
loss of a few thousand men to the Turks is
but trifing affair. They have all the men
needed and plenty to spare.
The Greeks occupy strong well in
trenched positions on high ground and are
acting entirely on the defensive. The Greeks
have no cavalry worth mentioning and are
very weak in artillery, but what guns they
have are we'll served. The Greek infantry
may be expected to do fairly we'll while
occupying good, defensive positions. In the
field or open plain it is not to be expected
that they will be a match for the Turks
Supplies of all kinds in the Greek camp are
at premium
"Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander
may safely be reckoned on to carry out his
well conceived and carefully followed plan
of campaign. His main forces are divided
| into four divisions and these divisions are
arrayed in q semicircle around phersala
which is backed by high hills. The extreme
right of the Turkish commander is SOUTH
west and south of the railway line at Baz-
tions it appears that Edhem Pasha's plan
Il
practically surround them.
There are two features of serious inn
port to the Greeks. The first fighting oc-
Cured at Avail. a little more than half
way between Phersala and Velestino, and
near the railroad line connecting these two
places. From this it would appear that Ed
hem Pasha's plan is either to feel for the
weakest spot in the extended Greek line
in the direction Of Velestino and later make
an attempt TO force his way through there
and attack the right flank of the Greeks
Or he may be feigning an attack and pos
sible other attacks in that direction so as
to draw from the main body of the Greeks
at Phersala as many men as possible in the
direction of Valestino and then make his
wheel attack on the Greek left flank which
may turn out TO have been weakened in
order to strengthen other points. If Edhem
Pasha breaks through the Greek line at
Avail he Will in any case have succeeded
in separating the TWO Greek armies the
one at Velestino, commanded by General
Smolensh and the main body at Phersala
commanded by the crown prince
This would enable the Turkish commands