The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-05-04
A VICTORY BY THE GREEKS
THE TURKISH ARMY REPULSFD
AT VELESTINO.

Sophia Kissed in the Streets of Athens.
French Consulate at Constantinople Is
suing Certificates of Protection to Greeks.
Voio, Thessaly. April 2O.-A squadron
of Greek warships has arrived here.
There are 5000 Greeks encamped at
Velestino and 10000 Greeks occupy po-
sitiOns at Pharsalos.
Larissa, April Z8.-VOlO has not yet
been captured but the town is practi-
cally at the mercy Of the Turks. The
Greek tactics are difficult to under
stand. 1t is asked here why, if the
Greeks intended to retire to Pharsalos
when the Turks entered the plain, they
did not destroy the telegraph lines,
bridges and food supplies as well as
unexploded magazines and Why they
did not take the guns instead Of leaving
here almost everything necessary for
a great army. Inasmuch as they lost
their heads it is not thought likely hat
they will offer an effective resistance at
PharsalOs to the victorious Turks,
whose morals, discipline and conditions
are splendid.
Athens, April 30.-The cabinet has
been finally and definitely formed as
follows: President of the council of
ministers and minister of marine. M.
Ralli; minister Of the interior, M. The
otokis; minister for foreign affairs, NJ.
Skouloudis; minister Of public instruc-
tions, NJ. Autaxias, minister Of justice,
NJ. Triautafilaca: minister OF hnance,
M. SimpOulos; minister of war. Col
onel TOsmados.
At a cabinet council held today it
was decided that the minister of war,
Colonel TOsmadOs. and the minister
of the interior. M. Theotokis. should
proceed to PharSalOs, in order to aScer-
tain the condition Of the Greek forces
there.
Constantinople, April 2O.-The porte
announces that the heights
ing Nchesta and Craven-Serai, beyond
Pentepigadia, Epirus, have been occu-
pied by the Turkish troops.
The Turkish government issued the
following announcement today:
Edham Pasha telegraDhs that the
first division %Occupie Trikkala on
Wednesday. Two hundre convicts
were released and armed on the pre-
vious day and 20, 900 rifles were distrib-
uted among the inhabitants by the
Greeks who also permitted the pillage
of arms and ammunition. The Turkish
commands ordered the arms to be
restored under severe penalties.
In response to notes from the French,
Russian and British ambassadors the
Turkish government has announced
that the expulsion of Greek subjects
from Turkish territory is postponed to
a period of eight days from May 3rd.
Meanwhile the French consulate Is IS
suing certificates Of protection and by
this act is causing general comment IN
official circles, as the porte has not yet
recognized France as the protector Oh
Greek Catholics in Turkey.
Athens, April 30.-There is no news
today from Arta, but it is rumored that
the Greek forces which have been oper-
ating in Epirus against the Turks are
retreating.
If is announced hat the Turks have
been completely repulsed at Felestino.
General SmOIenski has asked the crown
prince to congratulate the troops.
Midnight-A telegram just received
here says that a great battle has Deen
fought at Velestino between a TURKISH
force of 5000 and General Smolenskl S
brigade. The dispatch states that the
Turks were ~repulsed with enormous
losses.
London, April 30.-The Daily Mail
publishes a dispatch from Larissa dated
Wednesday which says:
"A battle has been proceeding near
Trikketla, upon Whlcn the lulhS are
fast advancing. They are superior in
force and hope to cut off the Greeks
there. 1t is reported that they have
already occupied Trihhala and Volo;
but there is no official confirmation as
to the latter. The inhabitants are re-
turning here rapidly, business is beng
resumed and confidence is restored. 1t
is the general opinion that the war
will continue: but all agree that the
morals of the Greeks lave been ruined
by the m flight and that they
are not likely hereafter to offer serious
resistance.
The people of Larissa are gradually
returning. There is not the slightest
disorder. No one is allowed in the
streets at night without a permit. I'm
mediately Volo is coupled by the
Turks, Eden Pasha will transport sup
plies here from that point. The Turk
ish transport service is excellent. We
are now over 100 miles from the base
of Turkish supplies. yet there has no,
been the slightest hitch. There is great
activity in the Turkish camp; but mil
itary considerations prevent me from
Indicating the movements which are
proceeding.
London, April 3O.-The Athens CORE
spondent Of The Daily Chronicle, Mr.
Henry Norman, says the report is cur,
rent there this (Friday) evening tha'
France has proposed to the other pow
cfS 4 suspension L HOSllllllcS diiu AhS
summoning of a congress at which the
rectificatiOns of the Greek frontier or
the basis of the treaty of Berlin might
he considered.
The Standards correspondence a
Athens says: Last evening as The
Crown Princess Sophia was returning
from a visit to the Ambulance hOspita
she was Missed and jeered by the GROVE
which forced her to return to the hos,
pitaI. The royal carriage was ther
summoned. and the princess drove tt
the palace at the top of the speed o
her horses. The royal arms have beer
stripped from the carriage in order
that the occupants may drive ab0u
u~nrec0gnized and thus avoid similar
experiences. AS another indication o
popular feeling, | may point out tina
MANY of the tradesmen who have beer
u.ant % aiSnlau the rnNal e~SCutchenn!