The record-union., 1897-04-14
Each Of the Two Countries Have Armies
Of One Hundred Thousand Men.
A Declaration for Hostilities Would be
Welcomed by Either Side.
Both Trying to Avoid, if Possible,
Being Classed as the Aggressor in
the Conflict Impending, and Are
Acting With the Greatest Caution
Greek Irregulars rIassing in
r1acedOnia, Albania and Epirus.


r1acedonia, Albania and Epirus.
ATHENS, April 13.-The frontier sit
uation is developing slowly for two
| reasons. In the first place bad wealth
| er-snows, rain and bitterly cold winds
| have retarded all movements. In the
! second place, intentional or otherwise,
| all dispatches are being considerably
delayed, a not unusual occurrence since
| the beginning of the crisis. But if the
! development is slow, it is none the less
menacing, and an open outbreak of
hostilities or a backdown upon the part
of one or both of the countries most
| interested cannot be much longer de-
| layed as the strain of maintaining
armies of about 100000 men each in
the field is being felt with steadily in
creasing severity by both Turkey and
Greece, so a declaration of war would
| be welcomed by either side with a feel
| ing of relief.
Here and at Constantinople there are
daily prolonged meetings of councils of
Ministers and it is generally recogniz-
ed that there must be decided change
| before long.
Both Greece and Turkey are trying to
avoid if possible being classed as the
| aggressor in the conflict which is ap
parently impending and are acting with
the greatest caution.
The Greek National League or Eth
nike Hetairia is no party to this atti-
tude of the Government and has al
ready pushed forward a force of 5000
''irregulars," well armed and equipped,
accompanied by ample comissariat
corps, through the Turkish lines
1t is an open secret here that by the
end of the present week at least 10000
Greek irregulars will be in Macedonia
Albania and Epirus, having been sent
under the pretense of maintaining the
status quo in obedience to the repre-
sensations of the Powers.
The Turkish Minister at Athens yes
terday jailed the attention of NJ. Skou-
yes, the Greek Minister of Foreign At
fairs, to the departure from Greece of
further irregular forces into Mace
donia
The reply was similar to the one pre-
viously made by the Greek Premier,
Delyannis, namely, that Greece might
make the same complaint as to the Wig
lance of Turkish troops.
The next important move which will
be heard will be from the Greek head
quarters at Arta, where the banks and
principal stores, etc, are closing and
removing into the interior, and every
other preparation possible is being made
to get out of harms way before the war
begins in earnest
- &C.. l.
of about 1000 men oragnized by the
Ethnike Hetairia has either started for
Turkish territory, or is making the final
preparations for so doing. This body
will be divided into six separate de-
tachments, each ably directed and hav-
ing separate destination, with the
view of raising the flag Of the cross in
a certain locality, increasing it's num-
bers as much as possible and harassing
the rear of the Turkish force which will
be directed from Janina against the
Greek regulars who will operate against
the Turks from Arta. The Greek Gov
eminent has given strict orders to stop
the departure of this force of irregulars.
but it is semi-officially explained the
Greek Commander at Arta. Colonel Vas
sos, is unable to spare men to intercept
them. Nobody ever expected he would
be able to spare men to do so. The
Ethnike Hetairia probably counts him
among its devoted members, as it does
nearly all the officers in the Greek army
and the Colonel can be counted upon
not to interfere with the carefully pre-
pared plans of the national league which
will make Greece country worthy of
its glorious traditions, or perish bravely
struggling to the last in it's efforts to
bring about a realization of the dream
for which its members have sworn to
sacrifice their lives and all their be-
| longings, if need be.
The Greek position in the vicinity of
Arta is much stronger than those of
the Turks who, owing to the recent
heavy rains and bad roads. will have
much difficulty in communicating with
this base of supplies at Janina, even if
the Greek irregulars are not in their rear
for the purpose of preventing them from
so doing.
The. Greeks are able to reach Arta
from Athens in twentyfour hours, Civ
ing them a fine base of supplies, an i'm
mense advantage in campaign such as
the one planned by the Greek leaders.
The volunteers from this city have al
ready reached Arta and more are on
their way there. 1t is the intention of
the Greeks, when all is ready to attack
and capture Janina. which, according to
the treaty of Berlin, rightfuly belongs TO
Greece. Finally. another force of ir-
regulars is preparing to cut off the Turk
ish communications with Salonica from
where the Turks at Eiassona derive their
supplies. If the attempt is successful.
the three Turkish army divisions. the
eastern near Salonica, the central at
EIassona and the western at Janina. in
addition to the army corps at Greyena
will be cut off from communication with
each other.
In addition, the Greek fleet proposes to
make things lively off Salonica. in order
to prevent the landing of any supplies
there. A strong fleet is off Arta. ready
TO render effective service in that direc-
ton. Another Greek fleet is off the Is
land of Skiathos, prepared to strike at
Salonica; another Greek fleet is off the
| Island of Skyro, prepared to attack the
| Turkish Islands in the Aegean Sea.
| When the communications of the
| Turkish division at Janina are cut off
J its position will be precarious especially