New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-25
THE LOSS OF LARISSA.

THE lOSS Of i[hhlSSa
1ond.n. April 24-Dispatches from Athens this
Afternoon said that. after a desperate battle at
Matt, tie Greeks were outnumbered, retreated
with he,vy loss. abandoned TyrnavOs and Laris-
sa- ant renewed the Greek headquarters to
Pharsaos a small town on the right bank of the
Phersa ills AMI at the north foot of spur of the
Chassiciari Mountains. Pharsalos is about twen-
ty-four miles due south Of Larcsa.
volo Thesay April "A a p. m).-The Turk
tsh advance prces are in sight of Larissa-
Crown Prince Constantin. the Commander-in-
chief Of the Greek forces in Thessaly and his
staff have reached Pharssles, where the Greek
troops are leing gathered together.
Athens, April night-Special dis
patches received from the frontier assert that
the Turks attacking Matt were repulsed seven
times Yesterday. At o'clock in the evening the
Greek forces were obliged to give way. The
Greeks 'etreated IN good order on Karaclas,
where ttey arc intrenched.
From Arta the news comes that tho Greeks
occupied the heights OF Pentepigadia~ IT is be-
neved that military operations in Epirus will
soon be terminated.
All teegraphic communications with Larissa
are interrupted. but 1t Is understood that the
retreat Of the Greek Army was conducted with
the best Of order.
The excitement and dsquiet at Athens because
Of the sudden abandonment Of Larissa continues,
mn. the tranquility Of the city is unbroken as
yet.
1ar,ssa has been completely evacuated by the
.Lntu tn,
carried away all Of the movable cannon and
munitions OF war.
The following semi official announcement was
made this afternoon:
"In a fierce engagement at Matt yesterday our
troops fought heroically until o'clock In the
evening. and compelled the Turks to retreat
Whereupon the Turks were heavily reinforced,
our positions were shaken, and retreat was or
dered 1t is not yet known whether the retreat
was general"
4 second dispatch from the headquarters stan
SAYS: "Our troops concentrated along the
line OF Pharsalos in consequence Of these opera
tions. the abandonment of'Tyrnavos and Larissa
being considered inevitable
One dispatch says that the Turks, at noon yes
terday, strongly attacked Natl, which was de-
Tended by General Mastaphos's brigade After
six hours fghting q Council OF War presided
over by the crown 1GlnCe, NStIu'u " 'i"O4 '''0
retreat Of the Greek forces from Tyrnavos' Inc
retreat was effected in good order.
A Cabinet Council lasting long time was held
here yesterday evening.
Paris. April PA dispatch received here from
Athens confirms the reports that the Greeks
have abandoned TyrnavOs and Larissa, and
have concentrated on their second line OF de-
defence at PharsalOs.
The news has caused the greatest agitation IN
political circles, and the diplomats are freely
discussing the question whether the time mas
not arrived for the Powers TO take immediate
steps to arrest the further advance OF tIie
Turks IN the Greek Peninsula
II ,s stated In a dispatch from COnstantinople
this evening that Osnnan Pachas plan OF cam
paign Is 10 recall all the Turkish forces In Eplrus'
leaving only a strong garrison at Janna' ana
abandon the rest Of the provinces The TURKISH
army in Eplrus would thus be able to erect
function with the Turkish army in Thessaly, by
marching northward round the mountain divid-
ing the two provinces Osman Pacha would
.ve,tuaIIv thus have the whole Turkish force at
his disposal, and would be able to deal decisive
blow.
pbarsa,os or Phersala. ts town Of 2j0o nhao-
ants on the site OF the ancient place OF the Same
name where was fought the famous battle IN
which Cesar finally overthrew Pompey Ihe Town
les On the south bank Of a branch or the SaIaiii-
bra or Peneus River and at the foot on tho hor'h
eide. of the Chassldiari Mountains range less
than four thousand feet high. 1t Is ABOUT twenty
four miles due south from Larssa win wh;cn d, IL -
connected by an ancient road. now in good condi-
ton. About midway between the twV hi ,'I pbar
Village Of Hissarlik 1t does not appear thal IhaI-
salos s more readily 10 be defended against tit'
Turkish advance than was Larissa. Its Oily
ural defences the two small rivers tIt a e.
SALTS and the Kutchuk. which must be crOascu 70
fore II be reached from the norln' - ioun mn
II they cannot be defended. but the TURKS ~ouIu I
have little difficulty IN fordng tbe riye,S, ,,y VI own
hans IN constructing bridges cl theli tota pat
The railroad from Voo 10 Trikhaa ana haia i''
passes Just north OF Pharsalos. (See h"P'