The herald., 1897-05-07

EVACUATED
After Fifteen Hours of
Fighting
AN ORDERLY RETREAT
The Greek Troops Fall Back on
DOmOk0S
ATHENIANS ARE IN DESPAIR
MORE THAN WILLING TO ACCEPT
AN ARMISTICE
ATHENIANS ARE IN DESPAIR
MORE THAN WILLING TO ACCEPT
AN ARMISTICE
Most Ministers of the Powers Have
Already Been Instructed to Pro-
pose Mediation Between
the Belligerents
Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire
HEADQUARTERS GREEK ARMY
IN THESSALY, PHARSALOS, May 6.
-(Delayed in transmission.)- 1.-The
Greeks claim a decided victory in the
The Greek line was attacked by Turk
ish force of 10000 in addition to large
forces of artillery and infantry. The
Greek right was in command of Colonel
Mavromichaels. The left wing was
commanded by Colonel Makris. Both
Greek wings repulsed the Turks with
great slaughter. The railroad was de-
stroyed by Turkish shells and railway
communication between this point and
Volo interrupted. 1t is estimated that
1000 Turks were killed at Valestino. The
enemy also abandoned a large number
of guns. Preparations are being made
with the utmost activity for decisive
battle, which seems inevitable tomor-
row. The morale of the Greek forces is
now all that could be desired. Turkish
shells fell in town during the engage
ment, which was fiercely fought on both
sides. The Greek artillery occupied bet
ter positions than the guns of the Turks.
and was we'll served. Credit Is given to
General Smolenski for the victory.
General Smolenskis victory was the
one cause for great rejoicing here. When
the news was received the Greek troops
cheered long and enthusiastically, ap-
parently overlooking past reverses and
hot, fot ,ct,
the enemy. Prince Constantine tele-
graphed his congratulations to General
Smolenski and received reply from the
Greek commander saying: Our success
has been very brilliant, thanks to the
courage of the men, but it is by Gods
help that we have repelled the enemy"
The crown prince has issued an army
order congratulating the troops upon
showing themselves worthy of the trust
reposed in them by the country. 1t is
stated that Colonel Tertigi, in command
OF the Greek forces at Karditza, has
been recalled.
The fighting which is 10 take place to-
morrow in this vicinity will most likely
turn out to be the most interesting and
decisive of the whole campaign. In spite
of the difficulties which both sides have
experienced with their transport SER
vice, both armies had plenty Of time to
prepare for the final engagement.
Though it is difficult to predict the
result there is no denying that the odds
are in favor of the Turks. They are
overwhelmingly strong in infantry, ar
tillery and cavalry.
The Ottoman troops. moreover, in
spite of the repulses just experienced,
are flushed with victory full of conf
dence and most eager to engage in battle.
Moreover, they have implicit confidence
in their officers and will carry out every
order to the letter These officers, thor
oughly capable men themselves, have
the benefit of the advice of picked Ger
man and Russian officers and are lack
ing in nothing calculated to assist in
bringing the campaign to brilliant and
successful termination. The positions
which they occupy are we'll chosen and
though repulsed, the Turks are in no
way disheartened. AS the campaign
stands the loss of few thousand men to
the Turks is but trifing affair. They
have all the men needed and plenty to
spare. The Greeks occupy strong, we'll
entrenched positions on high ground and
Greeks have no cavalry worth mention
ing and are very weak in artillery, but
the guns they have are we'll served. The
Greek infantry may be expected to do
fairly well while occupying good defen-
sive positions. In the field or the open
plain it is not to be expected they will
be match for the Turks Supplies Of
all kinds in the Greek camp are at
premium.
Edhem Pasha, the Turkish command
er, may safely be reckoned upon as car
rying out well-conceived and carefully
followed out plan of campaign. His
main forces are divided into four divie-
ions and these divisions are arrayed in
a semi i-circle around Pharsalos, which
is backed up by high hills. The extreme
right of the Turkish command is south
west of the railway line at Bazaraki,
while three brigades are threatening
Velestino and Volo.
From present indications it appears
that Edhem Pasha's plan is to turn both
the Greek f1anks and thus practically
surround them.
There are two features of serious i'm
port to the Greeks. The first fighting
occurred at Avail a little more than
half way between Pharsalos and Veles-
tino and near railroad line connecting
these two places. From this it would
appear that Edhem Pasha's plan is
either to feel for the weakest spot in the
extended Greek line in the direction of
Velestino and later make an attempt to
force his way through there and attack
the right flank of the Greeks or he may
be feigning an attack and possible other
attacks in the direction 90 as to draw.