The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-31
GREECE CROSSES THE DEAD LINE.
Brisk Skirmish ON the Frontier
German onicer Wounded.


CoNSTANTINoPLE. March so-Re-
ports from the Turkish headquarters ST
EIassona say that the Greek leader Alex
istaki crossed the frontier into Macedonia
Sunday, accompanied ~ about 2.50a fol-
lowers. Near Greveaa the Greeks engaged
the advance post of the Turkish troops,
commanded by a German officer. The
Turks lost twelve men killed and had
twenty wounded. including the German Of
dcer. The loss Of the insurgents Is not
known. They subsequently returned across
the border into Greek territory.
II is difficult TO see how war between
Greece ard Turkey can be averted. II Is
rumored in diplomatic circles here that
King George has sent a message 10 the
car saying IL is impossible for Greece TO
yield 10 the powers regarding Crete, and
that II Is equally impossible to recall the
Greek troops from Thessaiy. In view Of the
excited condition OF the public mind. Il is
believed that even the annexation OF Crete
would fail TO satisfy the Greeks. who are
so imbued with war fever that nothing
short OF severe blood-letting will stop
them.
The Greeks It Is further believed. great
ly underestimate the strength OF the Turk
ish forces In Macedonia and EpirGs.
Edhem Pasha. the Turkish commander-in-
chief now has at his disposal about 100. coo
fighting men and SEQ Krupp guns He also
has an ample supply of ammunition. fair
commissary, and his medical staff and hos
pital corps are In satisfactory condition.
All the strategic points on the frontier are
occupied and are supplied with powerful
batteries of artillery.
TO attack this line of defense. II Is I'M
cerstood the Greeks cannot muster more
than eo.ooG men, mostly irregulars. al
though some estimates here have IL that
the Greeks may be able to muster 5000
men In all, counting the hastily armed
pea santry and the raw recruits and
rough reserves which they have been
pushing toward the frontier for a month
past. This force is known to be weak
IN cavalry. and especially so in artillery.
in which arms the Turks are overwhelm-
ingly strong. IL is true that the Greeks
are animated by a warlike spirit and
degree OF enthusiasm rarely before wit
messed. but warlike enthusiasm cannot
prevail against big battalions and heavy
and numerous batteries OF artillery.
Thus II Is that the Turkish officials are
calmly awaiting the outbreak OF war. If
possible has been taken to meet the emer-
gency.
As to the Cretan situation proper, II IS
understood that the adnairals in command
OF the foreign fleets In Cretan waters are
OF the opinion that, now that Greece has
virtually completed her war preparations
on the frontier Of Thessaly, a blockade
OF the principal Greek ports would be
useless. thus bearing out the forecasts
previously made in these dispatches that
the refusal OF Great Britain TO take ac.-
i've part in the blockade OF GreecS might
lead TO the collapse Of that scheme TO
prevent an outbreak OF hostilities.
Under These circumstances ali the eff
forts Of the ambassadors of the powers
H~rrA ted
yailng upon the Turkish government to
ADVISE the sultan 70 withdraw the Turk
fsh troops from Crete, as another sop TO
Greece and as another attempt 10 prevent
war, and. ia audi lion. the ambassadors are
eTadeayoriRg TO prevail upon Greece and
Turkey 10 agree TO the establishment OF
a neutral zone between the opposing
Turks and Greeks on the frontiers.
The ambassadors have made strong rep
RESERVATIONS TO the porte IN favor OF per-
mitting the immediate departure of those
OF the Mussulnans IN Crete who have ex-
pressed a desire 10 eznigrate, ard this Will
probably be agreed to, but as 10 1he with
drawsl Of Turkish troops, the sultan has
not yet shown any disposition 20 Submit 70
that demand.
The Austrian government, upon the rep
resen stations OF the Porte. has prohibited
the expectation from Trieste Of T.00e 90
of cartridges which were in course OF
sh lprnent TO Greece. The representa- tfves
OF Greece have protested against this
action upon the part OF the Austrian gov
eminent, claiming IL IS Illegal ard arbi-
frary. as no state OF war exists. IL Is not
likely that the protest Blu have any ef-
feet
The work OF preparing for the defense
% Saionica Is nov said 70 have been COM
p.eted and ali danger OF an attack upon
the Turkish base OF supplies IS believed 70