The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-03-26
THE TURKS ROUTED
Christians Capture Their Fort
at Canea and Pursue Them.
SULTAN'S FLEET MlSFIRE
A RESCUING GARRISON, ALSO, IS
HEAVILY REPUISED.
SUCCESS OF CAUSE CERTAIN
Fighting Still Desperate But Victorious
Christians Have Occupied All Want
age Grounds, Unharmed by the
Firing of Foreign Warships
Copyright, 1897, by Associated Press }

Copyright, 1897, by Associated Press)
Canea. March 25.-The insurgents
made determined attack upon the
blockhouse, or fort, at MalaXa, outside
of Suda, to-day. During the night the
insurgent forces were pushed forward
until they occupied convenient positions
for attack, and about 6 a. M, the artil-
lery opened fire upon the Turkish block
houses. The pieces of the Christians
were served with such admirable prompt
ness and precision that in a short time
nothing remained to the Turks but ex-
termination or evacuation. The Mus
sulmans, preferring the latter, left the
fort and commenced a retreat upon Suda,
relying upon the Turkish warships in the
bay to save them from the Christians.
The Sultan's feet opened badly judged
fire upon the insurgents, in order to cover
the retreat from the blockhOuse. The
shells fell either short or far beyond the
insurgent forces, consequently the Chris
tons pushed forward, pressing hard upon
the rear Of the Turks, keeping up con-
tinual skirmish fire. The Turks made
stand now and then, pouring a few vol
leys in the direction Of the insurgent
lines. The insurgents succeeded in push
ing on as far as the village of Tsikalaria,
where they set fire to some houses.
While this fighting was in progress, a
detachment of Turkish troops, being un-
aware of the fact that the garrison of
the fort at Malaxa had evacuated that
place and was retreating upon Suda,
closely pursued by the Christians, made
a sortie from Canea with q convoy of
provisions intended for the garrison of
MalaXa. From the route followed by the
Turks nothing could be seen of the
fighting in progress between MalaXG and
Suda, and the Ottoman troops advanced
half way up to the heights upon which
the blockhOuse of Keratidi is situated.
But while the Turks were unaware of
the insurgents doings, the latter had
closely followed the movements of the
Turkish column escorting the provisions
and ammunition train. Near Keratidi
the Turks were met by body of insur-
gents who, from we'll selected positions,
opened fierce fire upon the advancing
Turks. The fire of the Christians stop
ped the advance of the Turkish column,
and the commander took up the best po-
sition possible in order to protect the
convoy and send it to the rear, if neces-
sary.
The Turkish garrison at MalaXa lost
heavily during the retreat from that
place. The insurgents are numerous and
occupy all the heights in the vicinity of
Canea as far as Perovita, having cap
tured the two last Turkish fortresses.
(Only the fleets of the powers can pre-
vent the entire success of the insur-
gent cause)
The blockade is in progress all along
the Cretan coast; but, this has not pre-
Vnpfa1
landing ammunition and provisions.
A Greek vessel which was accidentally
captured by an Austrian gunboat, which
put into a harbor owing to the severe
weather, had on board sixty volunteers
and quantity of ammunition.
At 6:30 p. m., the Christians still occu-
py the fort at Malaxa, from which they
drove the Turks by bombardment this
morning in spite of the shells which fell
into it and which set fire to the block
house
AT 800 p. m, this afternoon, while the
Turkish reinforcements were vainly
struggling to capture the heights above
Nerakouron, the Christians from Akro-
tiri attacked the Turkish Gordon at He
lepa, which was keeping them at a dis
yance with mountain artillery. The fight
ing continues as this dispatch is being
forwarded, the shots of the insurgents
reaching Mortevardia and Helepa.
AT $3.50 desperate fighting continued
between the Turks and the Christians
until quarter past three this afternoon
in and about the village of Tsikalaria.
not far from Suda, to which point the
insurgents succeeded in pushing forward
this morning while in puhsuit of the re-
treating garrison of Malaxa. The in
surgents burned several more houses at
Islkalaria, whereupon the warships of
the foreign powers, at 3:15 p. m, began
firing at the Christians. The lombard
ment, however, only lasted ten minutes.
TURKISH FORT BLOWN UP.
Canea, Island of Crete, March 25.-At
8 O'Clock this evening the insurgents sue
ceeded in blowing up the blockhouse at
Malaxa with dynamite. The whole
structure is now in flames, and the Turk-
ish warships are bombarding the isur-
gents.
CONSTANTINE TAKES FIELD.
Athens, March 25.-It is understood
tonight that the Grown Prince Constan-
tine will start for the Greek camp at
Larissa tomorrow morning, leaving at
o'colck in order to avoid a popular de-
monstration.
SHELLS FROM THE FLEET.
Canea, Island of Crete, March 25.-
The fleets fired 90 shells upon the insur-
gents around Malax, and some of these
Fell inside of the block-house OF the
Turkish garrison, numbering Ga, one
escaped to Nerokhuri. and 1S others to
Suda. 1t is believed that the others
narishnd S@