The record-union., 1897-05-02
FROM A BRITISH STANDPOINT.
GREEKS CANNOT WITHSTAND
THE ADVANCE OF TURKS.
Little Importance Attached to the
Battle at Valestino-A Diversion
by the Turkish Commander.

1897, by the Associated Press 1.-The
events of the past week have served to
further ALLEVIATE sympathy from the
Greeks The story from Larissa of the
fearful stampede to and from that city
after the fighting at Turnavo tcabled
exclusively to the Associated Press on
Wednesday lasD, is the sensation of the
day All the newspapers are glowing
with praise of the dispatch, saying it
was the finest description of events yet
received from the front.
| The fact that the Greek officers were
the panic is regarded as proof that the
Greks are utterly demoralized and in
capable of withstanding the steady ad-
vance of the Turks. The reports of the
| fighting at Velestino come from the
Greek side, and are not thought to be
as important as they are represented.
Edhem Pasha, the Turkish Com
mander-in- Chief, is evidently preparing
an extensive plan to attack Pharsalos,
and the appearance of the Turkish cav
airy in the direction of Domokos, about
ten miles south of PharsaloS, indicates
that it is the intention of Edhem Pasha
to turn the Greek flank 1t is suspected
| that the fighting at VeleStinO was in
tended by the Turkish General to divert
attention and occupy General Smolen-
ski, the Greek commander there, while
overpowering forces are thrown on
| PharsalCs.
General Grumbkoff, the German Off
Ger who reorganized the Turkish artil-
lery, has, however, in consequence of
the orders from General Won Hahnke,
the chief of the Emperor's Military
| Cabinet, received instructions to return
| to ConstantinOple from Elassona, to
which place General Grumbkoff was
sent to inspect and report upon the
Turkish artillery and ammunition. The
active part General Grumbkoff has
taken in the campaign, especially in the
occupation of Larissa, is much COM
mented upon, since he and a number of
other German officers in the Ottoman
service are still on the active list Of the
German army.
An interesting fact in connection with
Edhem Pasha is that prior to the war
he was regarded by the Greeks as being
a Phil HELENE, for, when military
Governor of Uskuh, he showed himself
so kindly disposed toward them, and
Greeks that the Greek Government dec
GRATED him with the Cross of Com
mander of Our Savior.
AT the present moment interest CEN
tiers at Athens. rather than on the from
tier The position of the Greek royal
family is evidently not critical. The
change of Ministry is an eloquent sign
of the weakness of King George, and
especially his accepting NJ. Rail- as Pre-
mier for the Greek leader. when sum-
moned to confer with his majesty, ad-
dressed him in an extensively blunt man.
ner. The King replied with dignity,
but he was forced to swallow his pride.
| 1t is the general impression that NJ.
Ralli is aiming at something higher
than the Premiership, but his accept
ance of that office is held to have
placed him in an fnvidious position. A
great victory might make him popu-
lar idol, but a defeat, which is more
probable would cover him with odium
and he would be overturned as a false
prophet.
The statement that Greece will carry
on war to the last gasp is not regarded
as Of any Importance. Greece is al
ready reduced to military and financial
extremities, and further efforts must
soon be abandoned. The Greeks will
await a decisive encounter at Pharsa-
los, and they are then expected to ap-
peal to the Powers.
The conditions of peace which Greece
will have to accept are stated to be
most probably as follows:
The Greeks will be allowed to retain
| their present frontiers provided the
island of Crete is Immediately evacu-
ated Turkey will be permitted to inn
pose a war indemnity upon Greece.
The Turks will doubtless raise some
difficulty when they are called upon to
return to status quo, but the pressure OF
the Powers will induce them to consent