The Bourbon news., 1897-04-23
CITY OF DAMASI
Captured and Burned by the Greeks
in Desperate Fight.
The Situation at Tyrnayo is Somewhat In
Doubt-The Turks Shelling the Town
The Greeks Cross the Frontier at
Baui-Severe Artillery Duel.


ATHENS, April 21.-News has just
reached here that the Greeks, after
desperate battle, have captured and
burned Damasi Viglia is still resist
ing. Another division of the Greek
troops, it is reported, has traversed
the Reveni pass and captured three
block houses. This division has almost
reached Damasi, where it will effect
union with the force that captured the
town. The 90, 900 troops under Gen.
Smolenitz displayed the greatest brav-
cry.
Reveni lies 10 miles northwest of
Larissa. Edhem Pasha with force
variously estimated at from 10000 to
IA, 900 troops led seven assaults against
it Monday. but all were repulsed by
the Greeks.
Crown Prince Constantine telegraphs
here that the Turks at that point were
completely and finally repulsed.
In Athens greater attention has been
paid to the operations in the neighbor-
hood of Reveni than to those at Milou-
ma pass. The theory all along has
been, that if the Greeks could estab-
lish themselves at Damasi, their road
would lie open to Elassona.
The exact situation at Tyrnavo is
somewhat in doubt. The news from
that point is conflicting. But there is
no confirmation of the rumor that the
place has been captured by the Turks.
What seems to have happened at Tyr
navo was evacuated in order to send
troops forward to Reveni and was then
re-occupied by troops returning from
| Milouna.
MILoUNA PASS, April 81. The Turks
have just commenced to shell the town
of Tyrnavo. All the roads leading to
Larissa are crowded with fugitives
shouting. Reserves, don't try conclu-
sions with the Turks"
The Greek villages in the plain are
completely deserted.
ATHENS, April GA dispatch from
Arta says that 5000 Greeks have
crossed the frontier at Bani, and Sc
we're artillery duel has been in prog
ress since Monday. The Greek artil-
| lery have silenced the Turkish imauret
fort, commanding the town. Two at
| tempts by the Turks to cross the river
were repulsed. There has been brisk
artillery and infantry firing along the
| line for about five miles. Two Greek
officers and many Turks have been
| killed.
ATHENS, April 21.-The report of the
capture of Damasi by the Greeks un-
| der Gen. Smolenitz is confirmed by Of
fetal dispatches. Official dispatches
report also that further heavy breaches
have been made in the Turkish forts
at Prevesa. The bonn bardment ceased
at nightfall. but was resumed Wednes-
| day morning.
The ironclad Spetzia has left the
Gulf of Arta to join the eastern squad
ron which, it is said, has an important
mission.
ATHENS, April 21.-The news Of the
capture of Damasi puts a new COM
plexion upon the situation on the
! from tier, is great encouragement to
the government, and is likely to have
the most exhilerating effect upon the
spirits of the Greeks, who had
been greatly depressed by the
reverses of their troops at Milouna
Pass. This success and the fact
that the fall of Prevesa seems immi-
nent virtually offsets the calamity at
Milouna. If the Greek divisions eff
feet union at Damasi, as is expected,
there is almost nothing in the way
of their prompt advance to Elassona.
Should the Greeks succeed in reduc-
ing the forts at Prevesa, as now seems
probable. and in occupying the town
L.
with the bombarding warships, the
road to Janina would be open and the
Turkish troops in Epirus placed at the
most serious disadvantage. The STRAIT
egic value of Prevesa to the Turk
ish division in Albania is that
so long as it remains in the
hands of the Turks it makes possible a
steady line of munitions and food sup
plies With Prevesa in the hands of
the Greeks this line would be promptly
cut, and it would be practically impos-
sible to revictual the Turkish troops
by the long land route through Mace
donia. On the other hand the Greek
troops could be revictualed by sea.
ROME, April 81. 21.-According to dis
patch to the Messagero. from Athens,
dated tuesday, the forces of the Turks
and Greeks in the fighting which has
taken place in the Milouna pass totaled
up 10000 men. The dispatch adds that
Crown Prince Constantine assumes su-
preme command of the Greek forces
which will fight the Turks Tuesday.
It is also announced that King George
of Greece leaves Athens for the from
tier Tuesday.
ATHENS, April 21.-Fighting between
the Greeks and Turks was resumed
Tuesday morning at Reveni, not far
from Tyrnavo, northwest from Laris-
sa- big battle is in progress. The
Turks are attacking in still greater
force than Monday, but the Greeks
are making a stubborn resistance
1t was announced this evening that
the Greeks have recaptured Critic
vail
Col. Manos, IL command CT the
Greek forces of the frontier of Epirus,
has telegraphed to the government