Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-04
IBLEGRAPHIC.
VELESTINO BATTLE.
An Account Of The Engagement, BY The
Times Correspondent.
THE GREEK, HOLD THEIR GROUND
orieprs threaten TO Return Their
swords Unless They Are Led
Against the Enemy.

LONDON. May 3.--The Times tomor-
row will print the following from lis
WHO correspondent, dated p. IN. to-
aav, When arrived at Velestino yes
terday afternoon, had Just seen the
Turkish infantry advancing in two
columns, intending to out the railway.
The Greeks, $4,000 strong, under ds u.
smolenski, by whose side 1 watcher
tho encounter In the rear OF the
Eighth regiment under Col. Gsnnikos'
TO-, gradually advanced our battalion
to hold the railway, the other to sup
port the artillery, which had mounted
guns ON the right center.
The Seventh regiment OF infantry,
upder Col. Rsgli, advanced TO low
plateau ON the left, where two batter
les were In position.
Gen, Smolenski had ordered the
Smelling to begin when the enemy
were well within range, consequently
the guns did not open hre before 5:8O
p. m.
Tue Turks were ievidently about H..
900 strong. Their cavalry reconnoi.
tered the wood where the Greeks were
concealed, but the batteries remained
silent until 6 O'Clock, and Mt that time
the fire fell short Of being effective,
though the Greek practice WAS the
best have yet noticed.
The Turks ran away from the shelle,
but continued to advance in good
order. Our right was really never
engaged, and the railway station was
deiended only by small force with
Two krupp guns.
Trains are running to Pharsala now,
and managed TO get through. Rt-
turning In the darkness to Volo, was
captured by the Greek outposts. l
was treated with much civillty, but
was detained until q late hour.
Having met reinforcements on the
way to Velsstino, l went out again to.
day, when the Greeks brought up
nearly the whole Pharsala force. Save
In the sharp struggles during the
night, the Greeks have been success.
full In holding their ground. The Turks
mounted battery on u hill facing the
Greek left, approaches the end OF the
wood and burned O small village. n ear
ly all the fighting today has been on
the extreme right In the direction OF
Lake Karla anu the eastern Volo road.
Whoever gains this road commands
Volo and could cut of retreat there.
More decisive fighting 10 expected to.
morrow (Tuesday). AS yet the Greek
Losses have not been heavy.
The Red Cross society, formerly In
evidence, is now conspicuous by Its
absence, and this fact causes comment.
This Times will print the following
tomorrow from Velestino: During the
fighting here last week the Crock
losses included Officer and Deputy By
lils, who was killed. 1t 10 rumorsd that
many officers have told Crown Prince
Constantine that they will return
their sw ords unless they are led against
the Turks. There ia u strong feeling
at Pharsaln that the troops must au-
vance. The despair over the mistakes
OF tho campaign has been obliterated
by desire to regain the esteem OF
Europe. Only 1900 soldiers are &C.
tualiy posted at Pharenls. The re-
mainder are distributed In well
chosen positions. Discipline Is i'm.
proving, though organization is still
aomewhat detective. The villagers
throughout ThessaIy have practically
deserted the Greeks.