The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-05-06
Big GREEK VICTORY
Attacked by 10000 Troops
Near Velestino Prince
Constantine Holds
His Ground.
FEARFUL SLAUGHTER REPORTED
Edhem pasha Has Ample Forces
and a Mature Plan Of
Campaign.
FEARFUL SLAUGHTER REPORTED
[By Cable to the Associated Press ]

IBy Cable to the Associated Press.I
PHARSALOS, May 5, 1S97.-(Delayed in
transmission)--Th Greeks claim decisiye
victory in the fighting which has taken
place here and at Velestino today.
The Greek line was attacked by a
strong Turkish force of 10000, in addition
to large forces of artillery and cavalry.
The Greek right wing was in command
of Colonel Mavromichaelis and the left
wing was commanded by Colonel Makris.
Both the Greek wings repulsed the
Turks with great slaughter.
The railroad station was destroyed by
Turkish shells and railway communication
between this point>and Volo interrupted.
1t is claimed that 1000 Turks were
killed at Velestino. The enemy also
| abandoned large number of guns.
Preparations are being made with the
utmost activity for the decisive battle
whichsseems inevitable for tomorrow.
The cheering from the Greek camp can
be clearly heard from here and the morale
of the Greek forces is now all that could
be desired.
A number of Turkish shells fell in the
town during the engagement which was
fiercely contested by both sides.
The Greek artillery occupied better
positions than the guns of the Turks and
was well served.
Full credit is given to General Smolerl-
ski for the victory at Velestino and in
some quarters it is claimed that the
Turks have been finally repulsed in that
direction. This belief, however, is not
general.
General Smolenskis victory was the
occasion for great rejoicing here. When
the news was received the Greek troops
cheered long and enthusiastically, ap-
parently overlooking the past reverses
and ready for another brush with the
enemy.
Prince Constantine teIegraphed his con-
gratulations to General Smolenski and re-
ceived a reply from the Greek Comman-
der, saying:-
"Our success has been very brilliant,
thanks to the courage of the men. But,
it is by Gods help that we have re-
PEELED the enemy
The Crown Prince has issued an army
order congratulating the troops upon hay
ing shown themselves worthy of the
trust reposed in them by the country.
1t is stated that Colonel Tertigi, in
command of the Greek forces at Kardit-
"a. has been recalled.
The fighting which is to 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 botn
sides have experienced with their trans
port service, the two armies have had
plenty of time to prepare for the final en-
gagement.
Though it is difficult to predict the re-
suit, there is no denying that the odds
are in favor of the Turks. They are
Overwhelmingly strong in infantry, artil-
lery and cavalry. The Ottoman troops,
moreover, in spite of the repulses
just experienced, are flushed with vic
tory, full of confidence and most eager
to engage in battle. Moreover, they have
implicit confidence in their officers and
will follow out every order to the let
ter These officers, while really capable
men themselves, have the benefit of the
advice of picked German and Russian
officers and are lacking in nothing calcu-
lated to assist in bringing the campaign
to brilliant and successful termination
The positions which they occupy are well
chosen, and, though repulsed, the Turk
ish troops are in no way diSheartened.
As the campaign stands, the loss of a
few Thousand men to the Turks is but a
trihing affair. They have all the men
needed and plenty to spare.
1t will be understood that the corre-
spondent cannot enter into particulars as
to the positions occupied by the Greeks,
beyond stating briefly that they occupy
strong, well entrenched positions on high
ground and that tney are actlng and Will
act entirely on the defensive The Greeks
have no cavalry worth mentioning, and
what guns they have are well served
and will doubtless continue so as long
as the ammunition lasts. The Greek in
fantry may be expected to do fairly we'll
while occupying good, defensive posi-
tions. In the field, or open plain, it is not
expected 1T will be a match for the
Turks. Supplies of all kinds in the Greek
camp are at a premium.
Edhem Pasha, the Turkish commander,
may safely be reckoned upon to be carry--
ing out well conceived and carefully
followed out plan of campaign. His main
forces are divided into four divisions and
circle around PharsaloS which is backed
by high hills. The extreme right of the
Turkish commander is southwest and
south of the railway line at Bazarasi
while three brigades are threatening.
Velestino and Volo.
From present indications it appears that
Edhem Pasha's plan is to turn both the,
Greek TANKS and thus practically sur.
round them
There are two features of serious i'm.
port to the Greeks. The first fighting oc-
CURED at A1Vdi1. a little more than half
way between Pharsales and Velestino
and near the railroad line connecting
these two places. From this it would APP
pear that Edhem Pashas plan is either I'd
feel for the weakest spot in the extended
way between PharsaloS and Velistino
and later make an attempt to force his
way through there and attack the right
flank of the. Greeks. Or, he may be feign.
ing an attack and possible other attacks;
in that direction SO as to draw from the
main body of the Greeks at Pharsalos as
many men as possible in the direction of
velestino and then make his real attack
on the Greek left flank, which may TURF
out to have been weakened in order I'd
strengthen at other points If Edlleu
Pasha breaks through the Greek line ait
Nivali, he will in, any case have suc-
ceeded in separating the two Greek
armies the one at Velestino commanded
by General Snolenski and the main BODY
at Pharsalos commanded by the Grown
Prince.
This would enable the Turkish COM
mander-in-chief to attack separately
either of the two Greek armies and over
whelm them with his immensely superior
forces, as it is not believed either of the
Greek commands would venture from its
ertrenched positions into the open if the;
other was attacked in force.
The second piece of bad news for the
Greeks is the cutting of the railroad be-
tween Pharsa1os and Velestino BY the
Turks. The Interruption of railroad com
munication between Pharsalos and Volo
means very great deal to the Greeks.
as the road between the two places was
q good one and source from which the