The record-union., 1897-04-12
When the Frontier Was Crossed by the
Invaders.
They Were Under the Command OF
Ex-Officers of the Greek Army and
Macedonian Chiefs, and Took an
Oath of "Liberty or Death'-FOr
Years Even the Greek Children
Have Been Giving Money for the
Cause of Pan HelleniSm.

ATHENS, April In oOn--AccoulilS
are very conflicting as to what really
happened last Friday, when the from
tier was crossed by the insurgents. A
special correspondent of the Associ-
ated Press went to LarisSa last even
ing Saturday and ascertained that
the invaders numbered upward OF
3, 000 Among them were Amilcare CT
priani and his Italian volunteers. the
entire force was under the command
of three ex-officerS of the Greek army,
Kapsalopeulas, Mylanos and Zeipetres,
and four Macedonian chiefs, ZermaS,
Davelis, VrakaS, and Sarantio. The
rendezvous was at KoniSkOs, village
near Kala banka. The men We're all
fully armed and wore the national cos
tune, their black fur capes bearing the
badge and initials of the Ethnlke Heta-
ria embroidered in blue and white with
the words EN- Tonic Nika," crossing
the initials in black.
On Friday a monk from Mount
Athos, assisted by his abbot and two
deacons. held a religious service at
Koniskos, at which all members of the
invading body partook of the sacra-
ment and registered the oath of the
order Liberty or DEATH
In addition to large quantities of am
munition and provisions, the force had
5000 pounds of gold. During Friday
night following the service, the from
tier was crossed, the force moving in
the direction of Schuik. While this
movement was in progress second
band. the number of which is yet I'M
known, had a rendezvous at Nezores
on the frontier about thirty-f1ve kilo-
metres north of Larissa and near the
coast This band was similarly
equipped. had established a similar
mission and took the same oath. 1t
was commanded by the Macedonian
chief Sins;nikos. Tt crossed the from
tier on Thursday night, marching on
karya-
AS everywhere in the vale of Tempe,
this portion of the frontier, the roads
and bridges are in a condition of thor
ough repair. This Sunday morning
the roar of artillery can be plainly
heard at Larissa from the direction of
Karya, where Siniskos is evidently
forcing matters. General Makros and
his staff, with some knowledge of the
movements afoot which they We're will
ing to impart, left yesterday for Tyr
navos, the most important Greek posi-
ton near Elassona- Four batteries OF
reinforcements followed to-day for the
same point. At the headquarters they
declare that nothing is known as to
the raid and will say nothing as to the
probable character of the raiders. How
ever. some additional light has been
thrown on the subject to-day by an in
terview between the representative OF
the Associated Press and a prominent
Greek who is evidently in close touch
with the league and it's plans The
Greek said:
The movement of these bands is all
in accordance with a very clearly de-
fined programme. For years thou
sands of Greeks. even little children, on
receiving a shilling. have been in the
habit of putting half of it into ma
fional box in the cause of Pan HELEN
ism. For many months it has been
the plan Of the league to stir up the
Pan Hellenic people by means of armed
bands Now that a great movement
has come in Greek history we have
seized upon it, our aim at present is
to get behind the Turkish lines and to
stir up all our brethren.
Whether or not Europe insists upon
the integrity of Turkey, Greece is not
animated by selfish views or with any
desire for annexing territory to the
Kingdom. She demands not only a
true and complete independence for he
roic Crete but the same independence
for Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace. And
she demands this also for all the sub
jugated populations of Asia Minor.
Therefore, Greece viii face any dan
ger in order to reach that end. Years
of frightful suffering and unnumbered
crimes and tyrannies have been forced
upon those who are our kinsmen by
faith and blood in those countries and
we are pledged in the most solemn way
and inspired by the most sacred and
ennobling principles of liberty to dc
all in our power to lift from them the
curse which burdens them
When the attack began strict orders
were sent to all the Greek outposts or
the frontier to preserve neutrality and
not to open fire until actually attacked
by the Turks.
The only casualties reported here arr
the deaths of two leaders and of three
Italians.