The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-01
GREEKS WlNABATTLE.
THEY ARE SAID TO HAVE DEFEAT
ED THE TURKS AT vELEsTINO. {.
MosIem Cavalry Repeatedly RepuIsed
by General smoIenski, ana
Great Loss Indicted.
VOLO OCCUPIED BY TURKS
GREEK SQUADRON IN THE GULF
READY TO SHELL THE TOWN.
Hellenic Army in Epirus Forced to
Retreat Before the Superior Force
Under OsInan Pasha.
ROYAL FAMILY IN DANGER
GROWN PRINCESS SOPHIA KISSED
AND JEERED AT ATHENS.
Renewal of Rumors that Peace Me-
gotiatiOns Are in Progress-The
Greek Cabinet Completed.

LONDON, May 1.--Turkey and Greece
will probably be permitted to fight ito the
bitter end" 1t was reported a few days
ago that France had determined that the
war should end at once 1t was also said
that an armistice was probable; that the
powers had virtually agreed to interfere,
and that Greece was already suing for
peace by offering to make terms with Tur-
key. None of tnese reports have been
confirmed. On the contrary, it was semi
is reason to believe that European inter-
vention between Turkey and Greece in the
present position of affairs is regarded as
wholly impracticable, both Greece and Tur-
key having resolved to continue the war.
The powers are thus obliged to stand aside
until one of the combatants is finally de-
feated.
The Turkish cavalry has occupied Volo,
and squadron of Greek war ships has ar
rived in the gulf. A panic prevails among
the residents Of Volo who did not get away
from the town before the arrival of the
Turks.
Advices from Athens say that General
Smolenski, the most noted of the Greek Of
fcers has, with eight thousand troops, re-
pulsed the Turks at velestino, a town about
ten miles west of volo and about seven
north of Phersala. The fight was a hard
one and lasted all Thursday and part of
yesterday. The Turkish cavalry made re-
peated charges but were forced back each
time with great loss. General Smolenski
has asked the Crown Prince Constantine to
congratulate the Greek troops on their vic
tory If the Greeks had been unable to
hold Velestino they would have fallen back
on Phersala, where the crown prince has
thirty thousand soldiers ready for action
The news of the victory has caused great
excitement at Athens, where confirma-
tory dispatch from the seat of war was re-
ceived at midnight. The Greek account
confirmative of the reported victory, how
ever is not wholly borne out by other ad-
vices.
DENIED BY TURKS.
A dispatch from Constantinople says
''The Turkish government has issued the
following announcement: Far from being
repulsed at Velestino, the imperial troops
continue their victorious march forward
\ A dispatch to the Times from Larissa
dated Tuesday, says: 'Volo surrendered
last evening (Monday) to a force of Turk
ish cavalry. The garrison yielded up its
arms without resisting. The railway be-
tween Colo and Larissa is being restored
the Greeks having torn up the rails during
their flight on Saturday. Eleven large guns
were captured by the Turks on their way to
Volo and all the war material in the town
has fallen into their hands,"
a dispatch to the Times from IIarissa
dated Wednesday, says: 1.-THE Turkish cav
airy have taken up positions in the environs
OF Volo and art awaiting the arrival of in
fantry to occupy the town effectively.
majority of the Greeks have gone to Pireaus
by sea. The railway is not yet working.
Hafsi Pasha occupies a strong position and
is advancing across the frontier"
The Times correspondent at Athens SAYS:
1.-THE storm which threatened to break
seems to have passed away. The new Cabi-
net contains several men of excellent tall
ent and the election is generally we'll re-
ceived. Nevertheless angry mutterings are
still heard and the sky may soon redarken.
The newspapers say that a strong Turkish
force from Janina, cooperating with the
Turkish garrison at Pentepigadia, attacked
the Greek positions there on Thursday, and
that the Greeks, after an obstinate resist
ance were compelled to retreat to Arta
Two companies fell into disorder and on ar
irving at Arta threw the town into a state
of panic. The inhabitants fled terror
stricken. No dispatches have been received
from Arta since noon Friday. It is believed
that the sudden advance of the Turks in
Epirus is due to the apprehension that the
powers will soon insist on an armistice, in
which case the Greeks might be allowed
to retain the positions captured in Epirus
The news from Thessaly, also is unfavor-
able. Fighting at Velestino was resumed
Friday morning. The Greek right repelled
vigorous cavalry charges, but their left,
though supported by reinforcements under
Colonel Mavronichali, was compelled to re-
tire 1t is feared that their position at
Phersala will be outhanked, thus compelling
a retreat to Domokos
GREEKS ROUTED IN EPIRUs.
An Associated Press dispatch from Athens
says: The report of the retreat in Epirus
is confirmed. The Greeks are abandoning
all the positions they had occupied except
Salagora. Ffllipiada is among the places
evacuated. TIE new minister of war. be-
fore starting for Phersala, submitted to
King George for signature a decree recall
ing the chief of staff Colonel Sapountzakis.
whom the Delyannis Cabinet, despite its
promise, would not recall because the crown
prince had declared that he would con
slider such recall a personal aftrors. 10
himself"
The Daily Chronicles correspondent at