The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-05-07
HOT BATTLES FOUGHT
CRECO-TURKISH WAR ON
IN EARNEST.
Greek War Ships Batter Down Turkish
Forts-Turkish Troops Capture an I'm
portant Pass-Confusing Reports--Both
Claim Victories.

Claim Victories.
LONDON, April 2o.-The utmost con-
fusion prevails in regard to the present
situation OF the Greco-Turkish war
which opened Saturday night, each
side claiming success and the infection
OF heavy losses on the other.
1t is impossible at present to deter
mine just how the opening conflicts
have resulted, but it seems certain
that the Greek war ships have dis
tinguished themselves by destroying
the Turkish forts at Prevesa, on the
Gulf of Aria, and dislodging the Turk
ish troops IN that vicinity, while the
Turkish soldiers have captured the i'm
portant Pass Of Milouna, one of the
keys to Northern Greece.
The Greek soldiers on the frontier,
generally, have undoubtedly fought
bravely, and, according to Greek ad-
vices, have carried a number of Turk
ish positions.
One report has it hat the dead so
far numbers only about 200, but, ac-
L ~ ooiiCA >, az 1CtSU l,OUU lIIcekS
and 200 Turks were killed in the Mi
louna pass, and the losses at other
points were heavy. These latter re-
ports would seem to be nearer the
truth, for, according to all accounts,
5O,O 900 soldiers were engaged.
Macedonian Greeks are reported to
be rising and the Turks may be sur
r~,,~lnl Nv, S,~c@1~
Gigantic Complications Possible.
There is at present little excitement
an any of the European capitals, and
no one expects general trouble lust
now, but there is no question that at
any moment there may arise condi-
lions which may infame all Europe
and lead to a general war. The SYM
pathy of the masses of England,
France and Italy is undoubtedly
with the Christians of Greece.
and great pressure will be brought
to bear on the governments of
those countries to assist the Greeks in
the straits in which every one soon
expects them to be. The feeling of
the masses of Germany, Austria and
Russia cannot be expressed so freely,
but the monarchs of those three ma
lions seem to be determined to uphold
the sultan, the Oriental type of des-
potic absolutism.
linus the liberal powers may be ar.
rayed against the autocratic at anv
time, and the most gigantic conflict of
history may be started. In such an
event, Great Britain, France and Italv
may be arrayed on the side of Greece,
and Russia, Germany and Austria on
the side of Turkey. The strength of
these opposing powers is undoubtedly
nearly equal, though vastly dissimilar,
Great Britain's navy overshadowino
those OF the three imperial nations
combined.
Turkey in a Grave Plight.
The smaller Christian REGIONS Of
eastern Europe are being watched
closely, for it is felt hat they NAV
make such moves as will pr%ecipitate a
general conflict.
turkey is making the most profuse
apologies for inaugurating the a
n declaring to all the powers that it
has no idea of territorial noues or
an advance to Athens, and the Turkish
heet has not left the ]Dardanelles.
That Turkey fears Russia more
than all else is u%ndoubted, for
there is no question that Russia would
seize the slightest excuse to take DOS
session OF Constantinople and the
bosphorus, the key to her. immense
gram and oil traffic, which pays tribute
10 turkey under present conditions.
Germany is actively aiding Turkey
IN several ways, a German general be-
ing now on a tour of inspection of the
turkish troops. Turkey is bankrupt
now but was bankrupt il 1877, and
still fought. Whether German capital
Is at the sultan's disposal is a question.