Connecticut western news., 1897-04-15
THE HELLENIC RAID.
GREEK FLAG PLANTED ON HISTORIC
 MOUNT OLYMPUS.
The Incursion Into Macedonia InstiEsted by the National League. Which Seeks to Free All Greeks From ottoman Rule. Regarded as Casus Beili.

bsiHs
 Athens. April l3.-The Greco-Turk- Ish situation is now extremely critical and it does not seem possible that war can be averted.
 An armed expedition, equipped by the Ethnike hetairia, or Panhellenlc league. has crossed the border from Thessaly Into Macedonia and made an attack on the Turkish forces. The garrison at Baltimo was blockaded. and a consid- erable number of Turks killed and taken prisoners. Later the town of Krania was besieged and taken. and it is reported that the insurgent force has planted the Greek flag on Mount olym- pus.
 It has been ascertained that the in- vaders numbered upward of s,o00. Among them were Signor Slpriani and his Italian volunteers. The entire force was under the command of three ex- officers of the Greek army. Kspsalopou- las, Mylanos and Ziepetros. and four Macedonian chiefs, Zermas, Davelis, Vrakas and Sarsntio.
 The rendezvous was at Koniskos, village near Kalabaka. The men were all fully armed and wore the national costume. their black fur caps bearing the badge and initials of the Ethnike hetaria. or National league. embroidered In blue and white. with the words, "En Toute Nika" crossing the initials In black.
 On Friday a monk from Mount Athos assisted his abbot and two deacons at a religious service at KonisiSos, at which all members of the invading body par took of the sacrament and registered the oath of the order, Liberty or death"
 In addition to large quantities of ann munition and provisions the force had f3,000 in gold. During Friday night following the service the frontier was crossed, the force moving In the direc- tion of Schulz. While this movement was in progress a second band. the number of whom is as yet unknown, had a rendezvous at Nexeros, on the frontier. about 35 kilometers north of Larissa and near the coast. This band was similarly equipped. had a similar mission and took the same oath. IL was commanded by the Macedonian | chief Sinsinikos. It crossed the from tier on Thursday night, marching on Karya.
 General Makris Leaves For the Front. General Makris and his stan, with some knowledge Of the movements
  | part, have left for Tyrnavos. the most | important Greek position near Elss- soma. Four batteries of achievements have followed for the same point At | headquarters they declare that noth- ing is known as to the raid and will say nothing as to the probable charac- | ter of the raiders. However, some ad- | ditional light has been thrown on the | subject by an interview between a | press representative and a prominent Greek who is evidently in close touch with the league and its plans. The | Greek said:
 | The movement of these bands Is all | in accordance with a very clearly de- | fined programme. For years thousands of Greeks, even little children. on re. ceiving a shilling. have been in the hab. it of putting half of it into a national box in the cause of Pan Heilenism. Foi many months 1t has been the plan oi | the league to stir up all the Pan Hel- lenic peoples by means of armed bands | Now that a great moment has come m Greek history we have seized upon it | Our aim at present is to get behind tn, Turkish lines and to stir up all oui brethren.
 | "whether or not Europe insists or the integrity of Turkey. Greece is not animated by selfish views or with any desire for annexing territory to tho kingdom. She demands not only true and complete Independence for heroi, Crete. but the same independence foi Epirus. Macedonia and Thraee. And she demands this also for all the sub jugated populations of Asia Minor.
 Therefore Greece will face any dan. ger in order to reach that end. Years of frightful suffering and unnumberec crimes and tyrannies have been forced upon those who are our kinsmen by faith and blood in those countries. and we are pledged in the most solemn way and inspired by the most sacred and en. nobiipg principles of liberty to do al In Slr power to lift from them ths curse which burdens them"
 When the attack began, strict orders were sent to all the Greek outposts or the frontier to preserve neutrality and not to open fire until actually attacked by the Turks. The only casualties re- ported here are the deaths of two lead. CTS and of three Italians.