The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-20
line of the hills was occupied by the
Turks"

On the Greek side there is no lack of
interesting human features of the conflict
supplied by several well-trained war COR
respondents. No one is doing better work
than Charles Williams, the veteran, who
has been through every war worth men,
tioning for forty years in behalf of one or
another of the great London journals. He
is now at the front for the Daily Chroni-
Gle. First as illustrating the spirit and
behavior of the Greeks during the two or
three days desultory fighting before the
decisibe battle of Matt, let me quote a
paragraph from the Telegraph man:
"A brief description of what 1 saw from
the top of Mount Analysis and returning
thence, may help to show how the Greeks
comport themselves An old peasant of
60 years volunteered with aIacrity to be
my guide. He had suffered from the Turks
in Macedonia and since the fighting began
he has spent most of his time upon the
mountain taking pot-shots at them. For
all his years and weight of rifle and cart
ridges, he climbed up the precipitous sides
of Analysis like chamois, and I had to
cry halt long ere he reached the belt of
pines.
1--WE found Greek Euzonoi and infantry
to the number of 800 scattered over every
available position upon crown and slopes.
The two guns were moved about and
fired from one place and another, as best
suited the targets Offering themselves,
W.
either among advancing infantry, or in
trenches, or through the roofs of guard
house and barracks, the soldiers cheered
and sent a few rifle shots as an extra flip
to the Turks, who were forced to show
themselves for a moment. Apart there
from there was a constant fusilade as
parties of Turks, taking cover, essayed to
creep up the hillside. On their part the
Turks shot very well, too and one had but
to show himself to draw fire from half
a dozen good marksmen. 1 had white
broad brimmed hat, which 1 found it best
to carry after a bit in my hand. MY
guide got down upon his knees behind
rocks score of times, and, like an Irish
man at fair, wherever he saw a head he
blazed at it, put my hand upon his rifle
several times and begged him to fire less
rapidly and more surely, but his blood
was up with the pot pittng going on. and
ne was as hery as a youth of 90
Mr.. Williams makes some interesting
expert observations regarding the work
done by both the Turks and Greeks during
the series of engagements preceding the
Matt disaster, and when apparently they
stood fair chance of winning, according
to the military situation. Mr.. Williams
writes:
The Turkish practice Is very bad. Out
of sixteen new copper-ringed pattern
Krupp shells fired at one battery only one
NHhAO ANdAf anu ulu no ndfm. Another
was forty yards away, while the rest have
been so far not sought out Similar re-
ports have been received from adjacent
Greek stations.
I'm my judgment the Greek positions are
impregnable TO any possible force of the
enemy, but should prefer to see the
Greeks occupying one crest further on
amid the sea of mountains than the lofty
hill covering Boghazi, called Tripomania.
which has two Turkish block houses on
the summit In possession of the Greeks
since yesterday the Greeks have had no
Geographic communication toward the
mountains beyond Turnavo. trusting TO
the Telegraph, which works necessarily
its tiny wrinkles, and does admirable SER
vice, being replaced at night by fash sig
nails for small distances. No war but that
on the Indian border has 80 abundantIv
proved the value of what the Greeks call
eye OPTICS but india and Thessaly can
alike count on sunshine. 1t seems lmpos-
sible that the present situation can con-
unue. A great movement is inevitable on
one side or the other as at present there
Is a mere burning Of powder"
A day later Mr.. Williams wrote:
Last night at quarter past one OF
my Greek servants rushed I'm while I was
discussing n frugal meal OF my own cook
ing declaring that the Turks were IN
Turnavo IL was not wholly impossible
All In the town we're I'm an anxiety to cut
and run, but after a long alteration, no
soldiers being present, nothing was done
My servants wanted to bolt, oblivious OF
the obvious fact that the first idea OF the
Turks would be TO guard tho outlets to
the south. I myself. having an old-fash-
Toned belief In the virtue OF the British
flag, and having red ensign as a matter
or course among my baggage. got two
canes and holsted II out on the balcony,
declaring this dilapidated mansion was
the safest house against the Turks In All
Thessasly. In FIVE minutes all the town
was laughing at It's own scare This was
good little lesson for all concerned on
the virtue OF a red rag.
"All has been quiet until 10 O'clock to- |
day. The disposition OF the Greek troops |
has much improved, being extended more |
completely under cover TO the left, where |
the Turks might come around the corner |
The infantry here have been placed In |
echclon OF companies. the Greek right be- |
ing slightly thrown back IN the limo Of /
reserve.
"At half past 10 began the usual waste |
OF ammunition by the Turks, and the /
Greeks, OF course responded. The Turks. /
FOR the first time for several days. used /
ahrapnel freely but there was not ono /
casualty during The day. However. a was /
pretty 20 look az the common shell. near /