The San Francisco call., 1897-03-21
Ragged, III Fed Moslems
Equipped by the
Kaiser.
Ripe for Midnight Butcheries,
but in No Condition for
War.
On the Other HAM, the Greeks Are
in Fighting Trim and Eager
for the Fray.

NEW YORK, N. Y, March 20.-A spe-
cial cable dispatch 10 the Press from Lar
issa, Thessaly, says:
Acareful examination of the Turkish
army, made with special facilities for &C
curacy, justihes the statement that the
= men are dirty, ragged and ill-fed, and that
they are demoralized by the spirit of dis
content which such conditions invariably
create. Contrary to the general public
belief they are inferior to the Greeks in
numbers. The one thing which has sus-
tanned the Moslems throughout. and made
1t possible for them 10 make a showing in
the field and continue their molestations
J of Christians, is that Emperor William OF
Germany mas contributed to them plenty
of ammunition. This assistance buoys
them up somewhat, as it presupposes aid
in other directions should the actual crisis
demanding it present itself.
The masses in Macedonia are deslrous
OF Grecian rule and ready to rise when
ever the signal is given. The Greeks
have quietly armed 10000 Macedonians,
who have returned to Turkish territory.
They are not uniformed, bat they are
armed and in the noun tain passes are
waiting for history to have the oppor-
tunity of repeating itself in another
Thermopylae.
While these Macedonians are eager to
strike the blow the Turkish troops on
their way to the front were much dissaiis-
fed. The religious mania of other years
did not posses them. They were ripe for
midnight butcheries and the looting OF
the defenseless, but they were not desirous
OF battle.
1t was with difficulty that open insur-
rection was suppressed, and troops that
would have been effective as Inaraudlng
bands had no relish fer fighting.
Under the present conditions battls
would be sure waIk-oyer Tor the Greeks.
They are superior in numbers to the
Turks, better drilled and better fed. They
besides have the Inspiration of patriotism
out of which heroes are made. Emperor
William may send his ammunition TO the
Turks out it takes more than ammunition
10 win battle.
ATHENS, GREECE March 20.-It is
stated here thar Admiral Ioubatco, COM
Inanding the Italian fleet in the Gulf OF
Arta, has sum moned the Turks 10 dis
mount their guns at the entrance of the
gulf in twentJ-four hours The Moslems
are constructing fortifications on the
e Tu kish side of the gulf in violation OF the
tfeStsf o. AF5-lttas
The Austrian charge d'affaires has re-
piled TO the Greek protest against the
sinking of a Creek schooner off Cape Dla,
Cfete, by the Austrian cruiser Sebenico,
that the schooner was fired upon because
OF an attack upon the gunboat by Cretan
insurgents
The Greek Government has consented
10 await the result of inquiries into the
affair, which are now proceeding, before
taking action.
CANEA, CRETE, March 20-The French
cruiser La Touche TreviIle arrived here
to-day with part OF the re-enfoEcements
intended for use on the island.
LONDON, ENG, March 20.-The Lon
don Gazette, the official Government
organ, announces that the blockade of the
ports of the island OF Crete by warships oil
The European powers will begin to-mor-
row, March 81. The blockade applies to
ships sailing under the Greek flag.