Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-21
DAMASICAPTURED


1xsunpA - Domnsl Putt New Lar into
Kine 0essgss fsssps ana Csnpensasss
"a 1pr the 1evezses ln Hilouna Pass-strn-
tsgie ImPorsaacs GConssaatins Success
q Damasi aaa TIE Probable Capeare Of
Prevesa-Honen About Even in the
F1gAting So Esz.
Athens, April n. - News has Just
reached here that the Greeks, after q
desperate battle. have captured and
burned Damasi. viglia Is still resisting.
Another division Of the Greek troops, 1t
b reported. has traversed the Reveni
pass and captured three block-houses.
This division has almost reached
Damasi. where It viii erect q union
with the force that captured the town.
The 10000 troops under General Smole-
nits displayed the greatest bravery.
Reveni lies twelve miles northwest of
Larissa- Edhem Pasha. with a force
variouly estimated at from 10000 to A.
900 troops. led seven assaults against
1t Monday. but all were repulsed by the
Greeks. Crown Prince constantin has
telegraphed here that the Turks at that
point were completely and finally re-
pulsed.
Puts Life into the Greeks.
The news Of the capture Of Damasi
puts a new complexion upon the situa-
ton on the frontier, is great encour-
agement to the government. and is like
~ to have most exhilarating effect up
on the spirits Of the Greeks, who had
been greatly depressed by the reverses
of their troops at Milouna pass This
success and the fact that the fall Of
Prevesa seems imminent virtually of
sets the calamity at Milouna. II the
Greek divisions effect a union at Da-
mast. as is expected, there IL almost
nothing In the way Of their prompt ad-'
vance to Elassona. II Tyrnavo falls
into the hands OF Edhem Pasha and the
turkish troops sweep down upon the
plain and advance to Larissa to meet
the force concentrated there under the
crown prince. they will be between two
grand divisions of the Greek army.
This seems to have been the object OF
Greek strategy. .f
Cuts the Turkish Supply Lime, ffi
Should the Greeks succeed in reduce
ing the forts at Prevesa, as now seems
probable. and occupy the town with the
large land force cooperating with the
bombarding warships. the road to jan
ina would be open and the Turkish
troops In Epirus placed at the most Sc
rious disadvantage. The strategic value
Of Prevesa to the Turkish division in
Albania is that SO long as 1t remains IN
the hands Of the Turks It makes possible
a steady line of munitions and food sup
piles. With Prevesa in the hands Of
the Greek forces this line would be
promptly cut, and 1t would be practi-
cally impossible to revictual the Turk
ish troops by the long land route through
Macedonia. On the other hand, the
Greek troops could be revictuaied by
sea- ;i'T
Movement Of the Greek Fleet.
1t is stated here in well-informed cir
Giles that the eastern squadron Of the
Greek fleet. which will shortly be REIN
forced by the ironclad Spetzia, is plan
Ing an important movement This Is
probably directed against Salonica. II
this is made with dispatch 1t is quite
possible that the Greek ships could reach
the gulf and shell the town of Salonica
before the Aegean squadron of the
Turkish fleet could intervene. The OBJ
1ect OF such a bombardment would be
to cut of the Macedonia line Of sup
plies to Edhem Pasha's camp at Elias
soma.
Taking general survey Of the field
the fortunes Of war thus far are pretty
evenly divided, but the chances for the
mediate future are decidedly in favor
Of the Greeks.
Powers Stin Have Crete in Hand.
London. April 21.-On good authority