The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-05-07
COURAGE OF DESPAIR.
Greeks Fought Desperately in Battle
at VeleStinO.
THE ENGAGEMENT THE MOST DE-
CISIVE OF THE WAR.

Greeks Finally Compelled to Retire
Powers Doing Their Best Now to Pre-
vent Further Hostilities-Troops Nav
Have to Be Landed to rro,ect
Dynasty.
London, May 6.--The Daily Mails cor
respondent with the Turkish forces AFT
Pharsalos, telegraphing yesterday morn
ing says:
Yesterdays wednesday, battle was
most sublime as spectacle and the most
decisive of the entire war. 1t was not in
tended at the beginning that the fight
should be regular pitched engagement
but on the arrival of Edham Pasha at the
out posts furious firing began.
The artillery began the engagement t,
the Greek practice being much better
than usual, but after about two hours
they began to retire across the river.
This was great mistake, as they were
thus enclosed between the river and the
mountains with no rooms to deploy.
The sight was superb. In many cases
the Greeks fought with the courage of
despair. The great black masses, form
ing the rear guard, to hold the bridge.
covered the whole rich green plain.
The Turks formed in semi circle of
laundering batteries and cracking bat
talions. The division on the extreme
right tried to cut off the retreat Domo-
kos, while the remainder of the force
flung itself upon Pharsals.
Before O'Clock the last village north
OF the river had been taken. Then the
village of VaiH and the entertainments
near the river were stormed with consid-
cradle loss to the Turks and the battle
ceased at nightfall, the f1anking division
having established behind the Greeks
and cut off the best line of retreat to
Athens.
The retreat began at O'Clock this
morning and the occupation of the new
position at Domokos was finished at 10.
Powers VIII Land Troops.
London, May Ga despatch to the
ported that the powers have decided to
land troops at Athens to protect the
dynasty. Grece having declined proffered
mediation. and Turkey being willing to
negotiate in easy terms if Crete is evacu-
ated by the Greeks.
Edhem Pasha's Dispatch.
Constantineple, May 6.-Edhem Pasba
the Turkish cOmmander-in-c chief in Thes-
sally, has sent the following dispatch to
the minister of war dated this mornin O.
Ihe imperial army while march ing
to Pharsolos met the enemy in the vii
lagos Of Soubatpi, Souledji, Tucomanli
and Lam1a. After q severe engagement
lasting 15 hours we dislodgd them from
their positions and advanced to Pharsalos
which the imperial army has just victori-
ously occupied"
Fighting at Velestino.
Athens, May 6.-(6 p. M Fighting is
proceeding between the Turkish and
Greek forces at Velestinos 1t is pre-
sumed that the Turks noticing General
Smolenski was preparing to retreat at
tackled him in force. The Turks have
burned two villages.
Mediation Proposed.
Athens, May 6.-Austria and Germany
have joined the other powers in proposing
mediation between Greece and Turkey.
General Smolenski is retreating slowly
and in orderly fashion to Almyro, and
Volo has been almost completed evacu-
ated. The force under Constantin reached
DomokOS unmoleSted and have not been
attacked today
During Wednesday night the Turks
continued to execute movements with a
view of outfanking Pharsalos, and only
discovered at daybreak this morning that
the Greek army had retired.
Triple Alliance Renewed.
London, May IA despatch to the
Daily Mail from Rome says that the
pact of the, Powers constituting the triple
alliance was renewed yesterday (Thurs-
day. for period Of six years. The right
to withdraw, under the terms of the or
iginal agreement, expiring on May sixth !;
and Germany has succeeded in persuad-
ing Italy not to exercise the right of with
draWal.
Asked TO Cease Hostilities.
Athens, May GA collective note will
be handed to the Greek and Turkish gov
ernments this (Thursday) evening or to-
morrow, calling upon them to cease
hostilities on the distinct assurance that
the Powers will undertake the final solu-
tion of pending difficulties.
Kings Condition Precarious
London, May THE Daily Telegraph
that the condition of the King of Greece
is precarious.
Greeks From velestino.
Athens, May g. G. p. my - Gen.
Smolenski's command of Greek troops
is about to retreat from Velestino.
Smolensl1i will fall back on Volo and
try to hold that place with the protection
Of the Greek fleet, or he may retreat on
Almyo (Hamyros) with the view of
possibly effecting junction later with
the bulk of the Greek army.
The report that the Powers are inter
vening is confirmed. The ministers of
Great Britain, France, Russia and Italy
have been instructed to propose medi-
alton between Greece and Turkey, and
similar instruction to the German Aus
tran ministers are expected every NOM
ent.
Pharsalos Abandoned.
Athens, May Ga dispatch from the
front announces that Prince Constan-
tines army retired yesterday evening in
perfect order upon Domobos, about 13
miles south of Pharsalos, where the
Greeks will await the attack Of the
Turks.
Gen. Smolenski remains at Velestino
-. +c al