The record-union., 1897-04-16

position. The Italians accomplished
the task with considerable skill.
Chief Davelis sent another column to
capture Sitovon. This movement was
also successful.
AT Kritudes, P1isia and Kourduzie
heavy fighting occurred between the
Greeks and Turks before the places
were captured. Another column OF
Greek irregularS started for Macedonia
from Zarkos, half way between Laris-
sa and Trikhala. Shortly after cross
ing the frontier the Greeks were con-
fronted by strong forces of Turkish
regular troops in we'll defended posi-
tions in the villages of Anakoutra and
Kahakouta. Sharp fighting followed
but the Greeks carried both villages
The Greeks have achieved success in
occupying strategic positions by means
of the irregulars, within Turkish ter
ritory before war has formally been
declared. The Greek irregulars now
hold all four roads leading from the
Thessalian frontier in the direction of
Grevena which may be looked upon as
a Turkish center.
According to reports received from
the leaders of the irregular forces, at
least 1,O00 mountaineerS of the country
traversed by the Greeks have joined
their forces, and it is further stated
that the Albanians are deserting from
the Turkish forces near Mount Olym-
pus, escaping into Thessaly and joining
the Greek forces.
MINISTER'S ADVISE WAR.
LONDON, April ia special from
Constantinople says that in the last en-
counter between the Greek irregulars
and the Turkish regular troops the lat
ter lost 240 killed and wounded
The dispatch adds that Edhem Pasha.
the Turkish COMMANDMENTS chief, has
telegraphed the Turkish authorities at
COnstantinOple that unless he is or
dered to cross the frontier and take up
position on the plains of Thessaly his
position is untenable, owing to the
constant attack of the Greek insur-
gents, who have entered the Turkish
lines by stealth, and also in conse-
quence of the excitement among the
troops, especially the Albanians.
The Turkish Ministers, it is further
announced, have informed the Sultan
that war should be declared against
Greece. The Sultan, who objects to
war, has not yet replied to the recon-
mendation of his Ministers.
FIRED ON THE GUNBOATS.
CANEA Qsland of Crete, April 15.-
The Austrian torpedo boats We're fired
on to-day by insurgents near Kissamo
while chasing Greek blockade runners.
There has been sharp firing around
Gambia between the Turks and insur-
gents.
STRENGTH OF THE TWO ARMIES.
LARISSA April 15-At Trikhila
there is Greek army corps numbering
about 10000 men. In ALL the Greeks
have about 10000 regulars and some
10000 irregulars on the frontier. but
they count a great deal on reinforce
ments to their army through risings in
Epirus, Albania and Macedonia
The Turks. on the other hand, have
about 10000 good well-equipped
troops in line. OF these forty-four bat
tali0ns are rediffs, raised in Rumelia,
in all about 10000 men, who are di-
vided into two reserve divisions.
At Monastir flying columns have been
formed to watch the Servian frontier,
and all the supplies possibles are being
pushed forward to the three Turkish di-
visions at Elassona, Grevena and ia
nina. The Turks are weak in cavalry,
having only about 5000 mounted men
en- the frontier. They are, however,
very strong in artillery and in infantry.
The transport corps is we'll organized,
field telegraphs have been laid between
all important points, artesian wells
have been bored at ElassOna, and brok-
en bridges in Macedonia have been
repaired as much as possible.
The Turkish forces at Salonica have
constructed a line of redoubts around
the gulf and down the Aegean Sea
coast to Katerina- Krupp and Arm
strong guns have been mounted behind
these deftnses, and a line of thirty tor
pedoes has been laid across the bay
from Cape Kara.
The discipline Of the Turkish troops
is beyond praise. The Greeks, how
ever. are not in anything like the state
of efficiency of the Turks, although they
may at present seem 10 be animated by
more warlike enthusiasm.