The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-22
BATTLE AT ARTA.
Tremendous Artillery Duel Be-
tween Greek and Turk.
The Town Mass Of Ruins and
SmOuldering Fire.
WILD GREEK CHARGE.
Band of Albanians, Singing,
Fight to the Death.
Great Battle Expected on Thes-
Saly'S Plains.

Arta, April 22.-The artillery duel
across the river at this place today
mas been tremendous. All day the
heaVy guns in small Turkish forts OPP
poslte the town have roared in a thun-
uerlng chorus and the Greek fortifca-
tons have kept up a steady response
NO special advantage has been gained
so far by either side in this play of
heaVy metal, although Arta is in ruins
Here and there arises the smoke of
smouIdering fires
The inhabitants have fed. Wounded
Greek soldiers are everywhere. There
are hastily imprOvised hospitals scat
tered about the towns and they are
filed with the MANNED For the most
part they are well taken care of. The
staff officers and physicians are kept
moving day and night. The Red Cross
people had two ambulances going this
morning, but one of them was shat
tered by a cannon ball and the wound
ed Greeks inside were killed.
The Turks have also suffered greatly
Away off across the river they could
be seen burying their dead at dawn.
Before sunrise the Ninth regiment
was in line ready for work Bv boat
they advanced across the river into
1urklsh territory, forming on the far
side under the high shelter of the bank
At the word the Greeks swung out into
the open and charged a line of small
Turkish forts in a forest half a mile in
advance. Before the Greeks had COW
cred half the distance the forts opened
nre, using five and ten pound rifles
The fire was well directed and effective
The Greeks fixed bayonets as they ran
and swung right up to the line of the
fOrtifcatiOnS, in rather bad order bI1t
Y lnT- hat 4
peIl-meH over the parapets. In a few
minutes they had carried three of the
forts and the Turks, after firing a few
shots, fell back from the others.
The town was swept clear with the
exception of one house, which was held
by forty-five Albanians. They refused
to surrender. Orders were given to fire
upon them. They replied to the fire
with great valor and above the shrfn
rattle of the guns could be heard sing
ing as they fought. All but one died
fighting.
Crossing an open plain, within about
mile of the Turkish village of Kiros
came a body of Turkish cavalry led by
Ali Bey. With fine precision they
wheeled into line and began a rapid
fire that drove the Greeks back to the
plain.
In all engagements the Greeks showed
dash and courage. Tomorrow artillery
will advance to attack the villages on
the plain.
The plan is to turn the Turkish wing
and open the road to Janina.
Today Turkish troops, protected by
the cannon and the hills, attempted to
cross the bridge into Arta. This was
prevented by the splendid work of the
Greek sharpshooters. Today's victory
was earned notwithstanding the pres
ence Of German officers on the Turkish
side.
Athens, April 22.-The bombarding
of Platamona, by the Greek feet reveals
at last the clever plan of work which
Prince Constantine is following. While
Edhem Pasha, with an army of 10000,
is surrounding the Greek headquarters
at LarisSa, a Greek army of 10000 is
pushing rapidly to the rear of the
Turks with the intention of cutting off
the enemy's line of retreat and base of
supplies A portion of this army,
which landed some days ago, has as an
objective point the SalOnica railroad.
which is the solitary line of supplies
for the Turkish army.
With the support of the Greek fleet,
which has arrived at PlatamOna, it is
now believed that Edhem Pasha's army
will be caught on the plains of Thessaly
with 5000 Greeks under Prince Con-
stantine in front of him and 10000 men
and the Greek fleet behind him in pos
session of his line of retreat and base of
supplies This dire contingency was
not suspected by the Turks until yeSter-
day.
A short distance west of Milouha the
Greek army has taken the pass of Re
ish territory Thus the two armies
have passed each other, each going in
to the enemy's country.
AS vet nothing has been heard of the
20 600 Greeks who are in the mountains
east Of Milouna pass. 1t was said at
the palace today that at the prA Der
time this portion of the Greek army
would make an important move.
The investment of LarisSa has al
ready begun. Two divisions of the
Turkish army have arrived at q point
about a mile and a half from that
town They have also captured the
towns of Kriechora and Badji.
Wherever the Greeks have gained a
foothold in Epirus they have erected
Notifications.
Colonel Manos. with 25, 600 men, is
pressing steadily forward to Janina,
which is the base of supplies for the
Turkish army in the west He has al
ready taken Philloplada-
To meet the plan of campaign Of
Prince Constantine, which he now seems
to fully realize, Edhem Pasha has re-
uuested the porte to order the Turkish
fleet hurried to the Gulf of Salonica to
meet the Greek vessels The original
plan of the Turkish commander was
to divide his army into two portions,
one of which was to try to break
through at the western end of the from
tier at the Gulf of Arta- while the other
was to force the passes commanding
the approaches to Larissa. and so by
different routes advance to Athens.
The plan in the west has failed sig
nailv. The Turks have been greatly
Disconnected by the arrival Of portion
the bombardrnent of Prevesa and the
vigorous attacks of the Greek army
| under Colonel Manos.
Instead of passing the boundary at