The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-08
The GREEKS FATAL ERROR.
Abandoning Commanding Positions
Caused the Loss Of PharsaloS.
THE DEADLY TURKI h ARTILLERY
Wrought Destruction I'm Their Fleeing
Ranks as They Crossed = Mar ow Bridge
The Mediation OF the Powers VIII
be Declined by Greece.

Headquarters OF the Turkish Army, in
Observation-Disclosures, May Side
layed in Enthusiastically Turkish
army tonight is bivoucking in the eighty
villages surrounding Pharsalos, captured
from the Greeks.
The battle began at Q o'clock in the
morning. After skirmlshes between the
advance posts Of the opposing forces, the
Greek artillery opened fire with great pre-
cision. But the Turks pushed forward,
exposing themselves to the enemy $ IRE
with the greatest sang froid.
The Greeks then made a fatal error In
leaving the commanding positions which
they occupied. and retiring upon the
plain. which was commanded OH all points
by our batteries, that were brought into
action as soon as the Greeks left the hills.
The scene which followed was both in
tcresting and cruel. The Greeks from
all parts Of the plain were converging
towards a stone bridge spanning the river,
and which was the only means OF getting
over The mass Of humanity at this point
was constantly growing, when the roar
OF the TyrSish artillery began. The
Turks obtained the exact range OF the
enemy. and shell after shell fell and ex-
havoc created by the shrapnel was terri
bic. Gradually. however. through this
declmatins fire the greater part Of the
Greeks crossed the river.
TURKS CAPTURE VASIII.
The Turks. who were then covering the
plain Ike bees, met with a strong re-
sistance while attacking Vasili, where the
Greeks. from hidden positions. opened a
furious fire. In the face of this the Turks
advanced with marvellous temerlty and
captured the village. not so much by
force as by the fear which their splendid
insoucience inspired In the enemy.
owing to the fact that 1t was not design
ed to commence the decisive engagement
until tomorrow, the Turkish division in
tended TO take the enemy in flank. only.
arrived half an hour before the close OF
the combat to-day. having marched thir-
ty miles.
The Greek guns. while they opened well,
ended badly while ours were served even
better than usual.
The Turkish attack upon Visil was
made without any previous nian. Inc men
were ordered 70 cantUre the place ana
they advanced quickly. shooting as
though hunting. The Greeks maintained
a whitening fire.
saw a Turk wounded in the leg ad-
vancing 10 the attack on all fours.
The corfesrondent Of the Associated
Press is writing this disnatch IN me
midst OF the bivouac AZ Edhem Pasna
headouarters. The general and his star
officers at the same time are formins y
little group around a lantern. studying
thu war mans for to-morrows S operations.
CONSTANTINE LOSES HIS BAGCASb.
During the day the Turks captured
mountain battery and eighteen mules,
great ouantity OF ammunition ahd pro-
visions and the personal effects OF tne
Greek Princes. Constantine and Nlcnoi.s'
ATHENS May The Greek "vseln,-
ment has notified the Powers the Stesh
foet has established an effective DlocK"ue
of the coast Of Epirus.
PHARSALOS. May An engagcmen,
becan early to-day near Nelestlho, anu
lasted several hours tho Greeks peing
finally beaten back. They have retrea ,eo
upon Volo sharply nursuod by the lurks.
VOLO. Nav THE corsuls nave ue
cided 10 ask the foreign warshlps TO land
detachments. and have promised 10 pro-
tect the town.
PARIS Nay "A dispatch from IA,
rissa received here by an ottoman oiicl1'
saws that Edhem Pasha. with ms stan
started for NelcStinO this morning.
ATHENS May The Government ilas
directed the recall OF - officers ana TWO
companies Of Sappors from Crete.