The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-26
MERCILESS FIGHT AT MALAxA.
rup INSURGENTS DRIVE rHE
Turks FROM THE TOWN.

prohabIy Have Been Ann1hllateu.
Dor, of MaIaxa Blown Up With
n,,omite And the Rest of the
Town burning.
C.nea March 25.-The Austrian cruiser
Satellit has arrived at Suda bay, having
n custody Greek steamer with sixty
-.o,nnteers on board and a Greek sailing
,,ossel laden with ammunition intended
tor the Cretan insurgents. These vessels
moro cantured by the Satellit while they
u,era attempting to run the blockade.
The artillery of the insurgents sur
-ornding the town of Malaxa having rem
dered that place untenable to the Turkish
,Toons comprising the MalaXa garrison
Tho latter began a retreat to Suda bay
Iast evening They were pursued by the
insurgents who kept up heavy IRE
mon the Turks, inflicting heavy loss upon
Them in killed and wounded, until TURK
ish warshp opened fire upon the insur-
gents causing them to retire to the inte-
Tior But for the timely assistance of the
uarships the Turks would have been
well nigh annihilated. The attempt to
reyictual the garrison at Malaxa, which
vas made last night was as disastrous
10 the Turks as the effort they made
Yesterday The detachment of troops
CARRYING supply of provisions was met
by a strong force of insurgents and COM
pelled to retreat with considerable loss.
The lighting in the vicinity of MalaXa
continued throughout the day. 1t was es-
necially desperate at o'clock this after
noon in the village of Tsicaliria, where
the Insurgents set fire to a number of
Turkish houses The insurgents are now
occupying Malaxa. The European war
ships shelled them this afternoon, the fir
ing lasting ten minutes. The insurgents,
however, held their ground close to ;he
ruins of the block house, from which
they drove the Turkish garrison .ast
night and did not seem to greatly mind
the bombardment.
When the Turkish troops evacuated
the block house, they set fire to it, in
order that it might not furnish a shelter
to their enemies. 1t is evident that the
Turkish troops here are no match for the
insurgents.
body of troops made an attempt to-
day to gain the nights above Nerok-Ouru,
where the Keratidi block house is situ-
ated. With this position and the one at
Malaxa in their possession, the insur-
gents would be able to completely block
ade Canea from the land side. The
troops had only gone little distance
when they were attacked by insurgents,
who drove them back. Later, another at
tempt was made to reach the nights, but
this, too, proved unsuccessful
4 body of insurgents made an attack
upon the Turkish Gordon at Halepa The
Turks had a number of mountain guns
and the fire from them prevented the in
surgents from coming to close quarters.
1t was this alone which saved the Mos
lens from defeat.
MOntevardia and Halepa are both with
In range of the guns of the insurgents
who continue to shell both places.
This evening part of Malaxa was blown
up with dynamite and the rest of the
town is burning. The Turkish warships
in Suda Bay are bombarding the insur-
gents, but their fire appears to be wholly
Ineffective.
Malaxa is one of the towns mentioned
by the foreign admirals in their procla-
nation, issued on Tuesday, that must not
be attacked by Greek troops or insur-
gents. The admiral declared that the for
tihcations, which were needed to "main-
tain security and quiet" must not be fir
ed upon; otherwise they would use force
against the attackers. It was the disobe-
dience of the insurgents to this proclama-
ton that led the foreign warships to bonn
bard them. These vessels fired ninety
shells, three of which fell within the forts
After the place had been evacuated by
its Turkish garrison, which numbered
sMty-four men, the troops scattered in
any direction that led to the coast, in or
der to escape from their pursuers. One
Of them reached Nerok-Ouru, and eigh-
teen managed to make their way 10 Suda
The others have not been heard from, and
1t is supposed that they were killed.
Inc Mussulmans here, and they COM
Prise almost the entire population, are in
state of great excitement. The fear
that the insurgents, elated by their cap
ture and destruction of Malaxa, will at
tack Keratidi.
A force of five hundred Highlanders
We're landed at Gambia to-day, and their
appearance in the city caused the most
intense excitement. The populace were
evidently ignorant of their coming until
lney were i'm the town. The Turkish troops
We're also at a loss to account for their
presence, and apparently thought that
Ihey were about to be attacked. The
Turkish officers had much difficulty in
preventing their men from firing on the
British troops. The garrison troops rush.
ca 10 the shore from all directions load
ing their rifles as they ran and uttering
nreats against the British. The latter re-
NAMED perfectly cool, and eventually the
irritation was calmed. All danger, how
ever, is not over. The Turkish troops do
not appear 20 grasp the fact that the pres
ehee OF the foreigners Is practically the
only thing that saves them from annihila-
uoh. Swarms of Turkish soldiers armed to
INC teeth, are parading about the streets,
SWING voice to their fierce hatred of all in
fdes '' -
a spark at any moment may produce
lalal outbreak. 1t would be queer COM
imehtary on the Turkish gratitude to find
ue Moslems and their Christian allies en-
sdsed IN bloody religious feud, and IL
"ould further complicate the situation.
a number of Italian troops have also
arrived at Gambia.
Nohstantinople, March 25.-It is stated
ae'e that in the event Of a blockade of
~reek ports by the warships of the pow
e' a' the admiral commanding the British
otuauron Is under instructions TO acaul-
,a, e therein, but the British fleet viii
y, ne no part In the actual blockade. IL
~h ported that the Turkish squadron.
o.,l.l r',,Cn sailed from Gallipolis yeste rday.
49, lslDiy for Smyrna and Salonica. has
eu ordered to cruise in the Aegean sea.
linens March 25.-rhe crown prince will
M az o'clock tomorrow morning for
~ ,s"essaiy' where he will take command II
s creek troops. The early hour AT
S%msch ne will leave the city is due 20 a
'''ire 70 avoid a demonstration.
--s-o-s
Anti-Trust Bills Passed.