The Meeker herald., 1897-04-17
LIBERTY OR DEATH.
The Oath Tsksa by Grssks-Ths ssrsggss
- the Bsed<f Will Lad IN War.

E10Iu&k
Athens, April 1.-THE latest ad-
vices here report that portion Of the
invading forces continue to besiege
the barracks at BaltinO. The remain
der has continued the advance, but to
destination ns yet unknown at Ath-
efis. 1t is reported that cOmmunica-
tion between Metxoyo and Grayena Is
cut on.
The Cretnn refugees here have ad-
dressed petition to the embassies, In
which. after reclting the whole histO-
ry OF the Cretan question. they de-
clare that the only possible solution Of
II is In annexation. adding: I'VE hope
that Christian Europe will be moved
by our sufferings, martyrdom and
struggles for centuries to support our
claims for union with Greece.
The petition is signed by several
thousand.
Accounts nre very conflicting as to
what really happened last Friday,
when the frontier was crossed by the
Insurgents A special correspondent
of the Associated Press went TO I.aris-
81 last evening Saturday and ascer
tainel that the invaders numbered up
ward of 1900. Among them were
Amilcare Ciprianl and his Italian vol
the command of three ex-Officers Of the
Greek army. kapsalopculas. Mylanos,
and ZieRtres, and four Macedonian
chiefs. Zermas, Davelis, Vrakas and
SarantiO.
On Friday IL monk from Mount
AthOs. assisted by his abbot and two
dencOns. held religious service mt
kOniskOs. at which all members Of
the invading body partook of the sac
ramcnt and registered the oath OF the
order, liberty or death"
As everywhere In the Vale Of Tempe,
this portion OF the frontier. the roads
and bridges are In thorough condi-
tiOn Of repair. This Sunday morn
ing the roar Of artillery can he plainly
heard at Larissa from the direction of
knrya. where Sinslnikos Is evidently
forcing matters. General MakrOs and
his staff. with some knowledge OF the
movements afoOt which they were I'M
willing to impart. left yesterday for
Tyrnavos, the most important Greek
position near Elassona. Four batteries
of reinforcements followed to-day for
the same point. At the headquarters
they declare that nothing is known as
to the raid. and will say nothing as to
the probable character OF the raiders.
However. some additional light has
been thrown on the subject to-day by
an interview between the representa-
tive of the Associated Press and n
prominent Greek, who Is evidently In
close touch with the league and It's
plans. The Greek said:
THE movement OF these bands Is all
in accordance with very clearly de-
fined program. For years thousands OF
Greeks. even little children. on re-
ceiving shilling. have been in the
habit of putting half of 1t into n na-
tiOnal box In the cause of Pan HELEN
ism. For many months it has been the
plan OF the league to stir up the Pan
Hellenic people by means of armed
bands. Now that II great movement
has come in Greek history, we have
seized upon it. Our aim at present is
to get behind the Turkish lines and TO
stir up all our brethren.
whether or not Europe insists upon
tasr- tut~prs<y -of --furN~y, Ssrcecc II NOT
animated by selfish views or with de-
.'i-" Foe ~...,n~ins t.'.it",, 4" A.
Kingdom. She demands not only u
true and complete independence for
heroic Crete. but the same indepen-
dence for Epirus. Macedonia and
Thrace. And she demands this also
for all the subjugated populations of
Asia Minor.
therefore Greece will face any dan
ger in order to reach that end. Years
| of frightful suffering and unnumberetl
crimes and tyrnnnies have forced up
on those who are our kinsmen by
| faith and blood in those countries. and
we are pledged In the most solemn way
and inspired by the most sacred and
ennobling principles of liberty to do all
| in our power to lit from them the
| curse which burdens them"
\ dispatch from Athens says:
stringent orders have been issued
against irregular fighting. and the pen.
atty Of death will be imposed for any
infraction. The general impression
here Is that war will he proclaimed
tomorrow tMonday, or Tuesday. The
position of affairs IL now extremely
critical. Although the Turkish army
has not yet assumed the offensive. or
ders to that effect from the Sultan are
expected at any moment. All classes
of the troops are full of war cnthusi
| nsln."