New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-16
ON THE THESSALIAN BORDER.
GREEK IRREGULARS CONTINUE THEIR
ACTIVE WARFARE.
CUTTING THE TURKISH LINES OF CoMMuNIcA
TIoN-CoNDITloNs OF The HOSTILE ARMIES

ism reports saying that the Greek irregulars have
oeen driven out Of Macedonia. 1t is true that
rev OF the irregulars who formed part OF the eN-
pedi,ionary force have returned into Greek terri
Tory; nut these are men who for some reason nave
been unable TO keep up with the main body Of the
creeks. and, consequently. they have retreated
across the frontier
The main body Of the irreguars Is continuing Its
successful operations against the Turks, with the
View OF cutting the Turkish lines Of communica-
ton. getting in the rear Of the Turks and raising
the Macedonians against the rule Of the sultan
The report of the capture of Kipuri. north of Bal
tho, by the Greeks Is confirmed. and. In addition,
the main forces of the rreguars of the expedition
airy force have advanced as far as Pigavtza, where
there is an important bridge across mountain tor
rent. From that point Chief Daves. who Is d.
recting the operations has sent detachment con-
ssiing of the Italians under Colonel Cpriani 80
the left of Pigavitza. with instructions TO attack
and capture zovof. small town occupying an i'm
portant strategic position. The Italians accom-
plished their task in due time and with consider
able skill. They are now holding Iovof and placing
II in a position TO withstand attack from the
Turks.
simultaneously with ordering the movement
against Zovof. Chief Daves sent another column
of irreguars the right. from Pigavtza. with or
ders to invest and capture Stovon. another town
occupying strategic position Of Importance. This
movement also successfully carried out. the
Greeks killing seven Turks and capturing five TURK
iSh prisoners during the assault "lliti was VIM
iantly conducted and brought to an end by the
blowing up Of the Turkish blockhouse with dyna-
mite.
After the capture Of Zovof the Greek regular
force operating in that direction continued It's ad-
vance far Krtudcs Plisa and kourduzi' the
Greeks have been instructed to hold the after place
at all costs. II commands the right approach 10
Grevena which is held by Il strong Turkish force,
infantry. cavalry and artillery, and which is the
objective point of the Greek expedition. At kr-
tudes Plisa and Kourduzi heavy fighting occurred
between the Greeks and Turks before the places
mentioned captured. but the invading irregu-
lars of Greece, mountain men and born fighters
proved themselves more than match for the
trained Turkish troops and drove the latter before
them from place to place.
Another column of Greek rreguars started for
Macedonia from Zarkos, half way between Larissa
and Trikhaa. Shortly after crossing the frontier
the Greeks were confronted by strong forces Of
Turkish regular troops, stationed in we-defended
positions In the villages of Anakoutra and Kama
koutra Sharp fighting followed at both places
but in spite of the stubborn defence of the Turks
the Greeks carried both villages by assault driving
out the Turks who retreated upon Eeutherokari
This route into Greek territory is being placed in
state of defence and is now regarded as being
safe, the nature Of the country making 1t almost
impossible for Turkish force to ADVANCE In the
face Of the opposition of the irregulars ana cut
the line of communication between the Greek forces
at Larissa and Trkhaia. which is believed to have
been the plan Of the Turkish commanders The
Greek "irregulars" hold all Of the four roads
leading from the Thessolan frontier in the direction
of Grevena which may be looked upon as the
Turkish centre.
Another feature of the operations which looks
favorable to the Greeks Is the fact that. ac-
cording to reports received here from the leaders Of
the irregular forces. at least one thousand noun
taineers Of the country ,raversed b. tho Greeks
have Joined the irregular forces and 1t Is further
stated the Albanians are deserving from the TURF
ish forces Mount Olympus, escaping into
Thessaly and joining the Greek forces. The
whole campaign was well conceived ana mas been
executed with great skill.
The roads in Thessaly are In excellent condition
for military operations but the Turkish side of
the frontier the reverse is the and the Turks
are experiencing the greatest difficulties in the
transport of war material ana III the mounting Oh
guns in commanding positions. 80 It'll,
The whole frontier presents an exciting, warike
appearance. Zarkos for instance. Is heln by
strong force Of Greek regulars, infantry cavalry
and artillery and forms the centre OF first line OF
vicinity. Up to recently the Turks had the hes!
positions on the fTTn gcd tne5 6eg II
plain view from the Greek lines. But the irregu-
lars have made decided change IN 1he rnaT Of
tainons country dficut to traverse even in time Of
peace while in the rear of the Greek first line of
defence are rich plains. affording no shelter for
Inc Read parts Gi Of Se
east of Damasi. to the Gulf of Salonca. ana in the
The river saambrla Geneus; along the northern
part of Thessaly Is likely the oa I dgbfrr 'aSg
the bridges have been mined. and the fords ana
shallow PLACES are being Looked s s
time ago, and has been replaced by military
bdss sns EVe4 st p6n held BY
soldiers are TO be seen everywhere an the morse,
ahe ARM and the drilling Of recruits lasts from
daylight until dusk cavalry paroIs cover a., m,
on the other side Of the frontier have an inte
gence department which no money or sk YEN, c1u a
informed OF all that is going on across the ro h
on the 5 rseS mTa tar position of
the Greeks. military road from kaI,nDak ao 10
peted At Veleniitza are the only passes from the
Italiacmon Valley. and the Greeks have oV S ien
On the TGrRsh side there no road beyond Vas
kala where some 600 Turkish troops are stationed
TINS c9" ,br p aa Of Alexander the Great when
he crossed to the destruction OF Thebes ,o,,r,a,r
work on the Euzoni. or armed mountaineers OF
whose strength sk ana endurance bs Are Are
irregulars now doing such valuable WORK III
Macedonia have been drawn w., 90 90 regulars and
some 10000 rreguars on the frontier Dut the! coI
great deal on n HI 10 and
The Turks on the other hand. have about t toO.oo
good wesaupn re R rSaGps in Rumea in al
about 10000 men who are DIVIDED INTO TWO iesei'e
Ar Nonastr flying columns have been termed 10
watch the Servan frontier and an the sup tbres
Tnrkish divisions at Elassona. Grevera and Janina
The Turks are weak in cavalry. having only about
6 90 mounted men on the frontier. They are, now
go strong in artillery and infantry. The transport
corps is we'll organized field telegraphs nave neen
III hat ween all important points artesian WeHs
Ia We been bored Elassona AID the broken bridges
al Macedonia have been repaired as much as pos
The Turkish forces at Salonica have constructed
,inc ~ edOubs round the gulf and down the Aegean
coast 10 K1terina. Krupp and Armstrong guns
have been mounted behind those defences and me
Of thirty torpedoes has been laid across the Day
TIE discipline OF the Turkish troops is beyond
rraise The Greeks. however. are rot IN anytnlnR
Ike the state Of efficiency of the Turks although
they may al present be anmated'by more warhKe
enthusiasm: A., .urooos - ,h,s ,,,ctni,v