New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-30
ON THE THESSALIAN FRONTIER
THE GREEK SOLDIERS CONDUCTING THEMSELVES
AS IF AN INVADING FORCE.

AS If AN INVADING FORCE.
London. March 30.-"The Times" publishes to-
day dispatch from It's special correspondent at
Larissa, the headquarters OF the Greek army
In Thessaly. which says that 10000 Greeks have
been stationed at the east end Of the frontier
with their base at Rapsani. on the hillsdes north
OF the Vale Of Tempe. From this point they are
watching the Turkish positions from Platamona
TO Elassona. The Vale Of Tempe itself is not forti-
fed as the Greek line is drawn from ten to twen-
ty miles further north. Indeed. the Greek force
mas no fortified lines In Thessaly. The Greeks
seem to consider themselves only In the light Of
an invading force. and not force occupying
territory likely to be invaded AS a result OF
'hls' they could not stop victorious army any
where north Of Thermopylae. They are relying
far too little upon material defences.
The Turks hold the coast road with a strong
force from their base at Katerina. The Greek
commisariat corps is slender. though the Greek
officers have ali along insisted that the Turks
themselves miserably supplied in this par
ticular and that there is much characterization in
the Turkish ranks. But 1t Is very rare indeed to
find any one taking a reasonable view of the real
strength OF the Turks or Of the character Of the
coming struggle
The correspondent OF The Times at Larissa
says to-day: THE Greek army is now so larg,
that 1t Is absolute arbiter Of the situation |
am very much struck by the independence and
impatient temper Of the troops. They seem only
prepared 10 accept orders to execute the ex-
treme Hellenic programme. The peasantry also
is armed as rregulars. Even If Crete
conceded to Greece. II Is evident that the SOL
diery will demand Immediately an extension Of
the European boundaries Of Greece. No perma-
nent peace is otherwise possible in this region.
If Europe forces Greece to recall her army from
Thessaly a large part Of 1t will become IN
surgent 1t will continue an independent
guerilla warfare in the mountains Of Mace
donia. and practise brigsndage upon the front
tiers External peace will be paid for by in
ternal anarchy, and the State Of Thessely may
relapse into conditions like those Of 1878 or
worse"
The special correspondent Of THE Times" at
Saonika says to-day that everything there indi-
Gates that the situation is becoming more and
more critical. Fifty thousand men are now en-
camped around ElassOna, and there 300
krupp guns between Elassona and Arta-
The Daily Chronicles Athens correspondent.
Henry Norman. says to-day that he has 1t
from a trustworthy source that Emperor Will
lam has offered the Sultan the services OF Gen
era Won Gotz and other German officers if the
Turkish Government desires to avail itself Of
them in the difficulty with Greece.
A dispatch to The Daily Mail" from Larissa
to-day says that the schooboys there being
armed with rifles bayonets and ammunition. 1t
is no uncommon sight to see lads Of thirteen or
fourteen fully equipped.
THE Times correspondent at Rome says to-
day that the view entertained in italian official
circles as to the outcome OF the Greco Cretan
affair Is pessimistic in the extreme. Little II
any hope is expressed that conflict between the
Greeks and Turks can be averted by the Powers.
STRENGTH OF THE TURKISH FORCES.
EDHEM PACTiA WILL. HAVE 10000 SOLDIERS on
THE GREDK FRONTIER ~ A FEW DAYS.
London. March CA dispatch to THE Times"
from Salonica says:
within few days Edhem Pacha (the Turkish
Commander on the Greek frontier) will have un-
der his command 10000 men, who will consti
tute his army, soldiers. l am specially struck
with the rapid strides the Turkish organization
has made within the last few years in regard to
military railways and hospitals. Within a month
152 trains have traversed Salonica. An infant
system which has stood such strain is worthy
of the highest praise.
Thirty torpedoes have been laid across the
Bay from Cape Kera. The large supply OF am
munition here and az Constantlnople Is being
suppemented by German consgnments." 4
II -.-- II