The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-04

LONDON, May 3.-The chief points of in
terest in the Graeco- Turkish war situation
tonight are: First that the decision of the
ministers who have returned from the
Greek frontier seems to be in favor of a
continuance of the war, and, second, that
fighting continued almost necessarily at
Velestino from last Tuesday until Sunday,
with the result that General Smolensh has
been prevented from actually assuming his
new duties as chief of staff AS a further
result the Greeks at Velestino have man
aged to retain their positions, but they are
too much fatigued to follow up their sue
cess. Altogether fourteen officers have been
recalled from Crete to be sent on to
Thessaly and this also is a proof of the
intention of the new Cabinet to continue the
war. The movement is actuated by neces-
sity All the best officers are being sent
to the front, nor is there any intention yet
displayed to evacuate Crete. The Turkish
army is advancing in three columns on
Phersala, while an additional column is
operating in the direction of Volo. AS the
Volo column could easily take Velestino in
the rear, the Greek position is very pre-
carious This probably explains the reten.
ton of General Smolenski there, as 1t was
natural to expect him to go to Phersala to
points to an inevitable retreat by the
Greeks on Domokos. The diplomatic situ-
alton continues obscure, with a constant
interchange of dispatches between Euro
pean cabinets and an incessant interview
ing of ministers.
A dispatch from Athens says: 1t is said
here on good authority that the powers
have made overtures to Greece on the sub
ject of peace, but that the government de-
clines 10 invoke the mediation of Europe.
The King has decided to remain here for
the present. 1t appears that the Turks
asked an armistice in order to bury their
dead. The request was referred to the COM
marder-in-chief, from whom no definite
reply is forthcoming, but the
armistice is tacitly observed. The
Greeks speak with emotion of
the enemy's gallantry The Turks had evil
IDENTIFY planned to surprise the Greek mill
tary authorities before they could recover
from the bewilderment of the retreat from
Larissa and to intercept the railway at
Velestino, thus cutting off Phersala from
the nearest base of supplies and pushing in
strong wedge of troops in order to
threaten Volo and Phersala. They could
have been captured or annihilated if there
had been sufficient rolling stock to trans
port Greek reinforcements from Phersala
or if General Smolenski's troops had not
been too tired to attempt flank movement.
When General Smolensh starts for Pher-
sala to assume his duties as chief of staff,
General Jannikosta will probably succeed
him in command of the second brigade.
The Athens correspondent of the Daily
Telegraph will say tomorrow: Il had
interview to-day with NJ. Ralli, who told
me that the report sent by the ministers
of war and the interior from Phersala was
in most respects highly satisfactory. He
said they had wired him from Phersala that
the front line of the army was in battle
ray and the Turkish attack imminent. All
preparations possible had been made for
heroic defense, and the spirit of the army
was much better than before owing to the
change in the supreme command. M. Ralli
declared that the victory at Velestino was
the most splendid achievement of the war,
the Greeks capturing an enormous quantity
of arms ammunition and horses. The Turks
after this crushing defeat NJ. Ralli believes
are not likely to re-engage in hostilities in
that quarter. Under all the circumstances
the Cabinet deems it advisable to leave
General Smolenski with his own brigade
and not to promote him to higher post
for the moment"
The Athens correspondent of the Standard
says that on Sunday a crowd summoned
by the ringing of church bells proceeded
to the residence of Crown Prince Constan-
tine in Achaia, seized the arms of the
royal guard, smashed the furniture and
burned all the papers they could lay their
| hands on The village was greatly excited
by the incident and there were further dis
turbances in the churches during the prayer
for members of the royal family.
Tsamados minister of war, and M Theo-
tokis, minister of the interior, are said to be
favorably impressed with the situation
at Phersalos, both as respects the po-
sitions of the troops and the plan of de-
fense. Rumors conflict materially as to
the diplomatic attitude of Turkey. Ac-
cording to one report Edhem Pasha the
Turkish commander in Thessaly has asked
an armistice of five days; according to an
other an armistice already exists by the
tacit acquiescence of both commanders
while a third story describes Edhem Pasha
as only awaiting reinforcements for an at
tack upon Pharsalos, TO be followed bv
an attack upon Volo. 1t is also said TO be
probable that Admiral Tamatollo is pre-
pairing to prevent a possible attempt of
the Turks to seize Volo by the coast roads. ="
The Athens correspondent of the Times
says: The newspaper clamor against the
three princes continues, but the majority
of the educated and rejecting people regard
the possibility of revolution with dismay and
are prepared to support the dynasty should
the danger become imminent. 1t must be
understood that there are no Socialist. An
archst or similar organizations in Greece.
Therefore. even should royalty take its de-
parture there is no prospect or likelihood
of any movement like the Paris Commune
The Standards correspondent at Volo
says that the Greek fleet is taking positions