The herald., 1897-04-18
TURKISH
TIMIDITY
Avoids the Declaration of
War
THE OBJECT ATTAINED
By Ordering Troops to Take the
Offensive
FIGHTING GOES MERRILy ON
EACH FACTION DIsCLAIMIN0
RESPONSIBILITY
But the War Is on and There Is nc
Certainty That All Europe
Will N OF Become
Embroiled
FIGHTING GOES MERRILY ON
s,ociatsd Press Special Wire.


CONSrANTINOPLE April 1.-THE
council of ministers, after session at
the palace today declared that war had
broken out on the frontier. owing to the
incursion by the Greeks on Turkish ter
ritory, and Edhem Pasha, the Turkish
military commander-in-chief. was or
dered to assume the offensive. The an
nouncement of an actual existence Of a
state Of war on the frontier was at first
misunderstood, reports that the council
Of ministers had declared war upon
Greece being widely circulated. 1t was
also reported that the council Of minis
ters had decided Ia recall Assim Bey, the
Turkish minister at Athens and given
passports to Prince Mavrogordato. the
Greek minister at Contsantinople. These
reports Of a severance Of all diplomatic
relations between Turkey and Greece
have been denied. TIL situation 10 sum-
med up In q detailed circular sent this
evening to the Turkish representatives
abroad. This circular recalls the weeks
invasion of Turkish territory and states
fishing war. g rcsitfeShiGff seapfesses apFes the
hope that the powers. in q spirit Of just
Ice, will agree that the entire RESPONSE
bility for war falls on Greece. Turkey
has no idea Of conquest. the circular
adds. as fresh proof of pacific senti-
ments the sublime porte offers to retire
the Turkish troops on the frontier If
Greece will retire her forces from the
frontier and Crete.
rnnr~Sr xu<,NYsu, u nrrpr
ATENS. April II. 10 a. m.-Orders were
sent this afternoon to the Greek troops
to keep strictly on the defensive, but to
maintain their positions at all costs.
Midnight-In spite Of the fact that
official reports indicate that firing on the
frontier ceased at midday. telegram
from Larissa at o'clock in the evening
says that firing continued past o'clock
this (Saturday) afternoon.
The line of fire extended from Mount
Analipsis to Klephtika Gentilia, a dis
tance equal to ninety minutes march.
which the Greeks promptly occupied.
The Greeks cannonaded the Turks from
the Greek position at Tsamteja in the
rear. The cannonading caused much
excitement at other points. Since noon
strong bodies Of the Turks have con-
centrated In the direction Of Mount Ana
lipsis. At o'clock the firing slackened
It Is expected that the Turks will at
tempt q night attack upon Analipsis,
which was the center point of the bat
tie.
Greek endorsements have arrived and
there Is a general movement Of troops
toward the frontier.
Reinforcements are being hurried tow
ard the frontier from all directions.
A telegram from Larissa. dated at 4:3O
afternoon says that firing is
still proceeding and that cannon can be
distinctly heard.
In the legislative chamber today the
premier, M. Delyannis. confirmed the
dispatches announcing fighting between
he Greeks and Turks on the frontier.
He added that firing had ceased.
M. Delyannis, replying to interpella
ions, said that official advices from the
rontier left no question about the Turks
,eing the aggressore in Fridays fight
ng. At Nezero, the Turks attempted
o occupy strategic position situated
n the neutral zone. This the Greeks
ould not permit. Thereupon the Turks
'pened fire, the Greeks replying. The
lighting lasted form early in the evening
Intil late in the night and ended in the
epulse OF the Turks. This morning the
turks again attempted to occupy the
anne strategic position, and again they
we're repulsed. After the firing ceased,
rders were issued to the Greeks to main
ain their positions but to avoid provok-
az encounters with the Turks.
A GREEK PROTEST
ATHENS. April 17.-10:30 p.m.-The
abinet has decided to protest to the
overs against the aggressive action of |
turkey. An invasion by Edhem Pasha,
he Turkish commander. Is expected |
nd the Greek army has taken up posi-
IONS for the purpose Of being in readi-
ess to repel their advance.
An official dispatch from Larissa dated |
t O'Clock last Saturday night. says
rat the Turks under cover Of darkness
re assaulting the Greek forces at Mount
-nalipsis with great fierceness. The
reek resistance SO far has been maRni-
cent and spirited. The Greeks still
laintafn their positions. The firing be-
an at Critzovali, with an attempt:o OF the
urks to occupy a strategic position in
ne neutral zone. Tho Turks continue
abandon their posts. general move
lent apparently taking place. Firing is
,ported from Moluna and Larissa, the
lshing of guns can be seen. In yester-
ly's dght at Mount Analipsis the
ree1s lost forty wounded and three
|lI0Oh ssr