Evening star., 1897-04-15
They Advise the Sultan to Begin
Hostilties.
Diem PASHA'S ALARMING ADVICES
He TeIegraphs That His Position is
Untenab,e.
CAMPAIGN OF THE GREEKS

from Constantinople says that in the last
encounter between the Greek irregulars
and the Turkish regular troops the latter
lost 24O killed and wounded.
The dispatch adds that Edhem Pasha.
the Turkish commander-in-chief has tel
egraphed to the Turkish authorities at
Constantinople that unless he is ordered
to cross the frontier and take up posi-
tion on the plains of Thessa!y his present
position is untenable. owing to the constant
attacks of the Greek insurgents who have
entered the Turkish lines by stealth, and
also in consequence Of the excitement
among the troops, especially the Alba
mans.
The Turkish ministry. it Is further an
nounced. have Informed the sultan that
war should be declared against Greece.
The sultan, who objects to war. has not
yet replied TO this recommendation of his
ministers.
LARISSA. Thessaly, April 15.-There Is no
truth in the Turkish reports that the Greek
irregulars have been driven out of Mace
donia- 1t is true that few of the irregu-
lars who formed part of the expeditionary
force have returned into Greek territory
but these are men who for some reason
have been unable to keep Up with the main
nave retreated across the frontier.
The main body of the irregulars is con-
tinuing its successful operations against
the Turks, with the view of cutting the
Turkish lines of communication, getting in
the re-r OF the Turks and raising the Mace
dons against tfe rule Of the sultan
The report of the capture of Kipuri, north
OF Baltino. by the Greeks Is confirmed, and
In addition. the main forces of the irregu-
lars of the expeditionary force have ad-
vdnced as far as Pigayitza, where there is
an important bridge across a mountain tor
rent
Capture of ZlOvof.
From that point Chief Davelis, who is d.
recting the operations, has sent detach-
nient. consisting of the Italians under Col.
Cipriani. the well-known socialist leader to
the left of Pigavitza with instructions to
attack and capture Zlovof, a small town
occupying an important strategic position
The Italians accomplished their task in due
time and with considerable skill They are
now holding Zlovof and placing it in a DO
sition TO withstand an attack from the
Turks
simultaneously with ordering the move
ment against Zlovof, Chief DaveIs sent
another column OF irregulars to the right,
from Pigavitza, under orders TO invest and
capture Sitovon, another town occupying
strategic position of Importance
ms movement was also successfully car
rlsd out, the Greeks killing seven Turks and
capturing five Turkish prisoners during the
assault, which was brilliantly conducted
ana brought to an end by the blowing I'D of
the turkish block house with dynamite
After the capture of Zloyof the Greek
irregular force operating in that direction
continued Its advance so far as Kritudes
Fisia and kourduzi- The Greeks have been
instructed to hold the latter place at all
costs. as 1t commands the right approach
10 GTevena. which Is held by a strong Turk
ism force-infantry, cavalry and artillery-
ana which is the objective point of the
Greek expedition.
Better Than Turkish Regulars.
AT kritudes, Plisia and Kourduzi heavy
hshtihg occurred between the Greeks and
iarhs oefore the places mentioned were
Captured; but the invading irreguIars of
Greece proved themselves more than a
matcn Tor the trained Turkish troops. and
uroVe the latter before them from place to
place.
Another column of Greek irregulars start
ed for Macedonia from Zarkos. half WAY
tetween Larissa and Trikhala Shortly
after crossing the frontier the Greeks were
confronted by strong forces of Turkish reg
ular troops. stationed in well-defended DO
sltlons IN the villages of Anakoutra and
kanakouira-
Sharp fighting followed at both pIaces
but In spite of the stubborn defense of the
Turks the Greeks carried both villages Inv
assault, the Turks retreating from Cleuth-
eIokar- This route into Greek territory
rs Being placed in a state OF defense and
Is now rtf;ar1e d. as being SAFE the nature
81 IN: cou.,try making 1t impossible for a
zGrH.sh !orce to- advance. in the face of
St. opfos.t.on OF the irregulars. and cut
Tn4 Inc Of cor mnnication between the
Sreek forces q; Larissa and Trikhala.
Wnl+h Is believed 10 nave been the plan of
IN Turkish commanders.
Strategic Positions Occupied,
The Macedonian frontier, opposite Ear
kos. extends. L shape. into Greek terri
tory. having the Greek positions of Tyr
Eavo aud Larissa on It's left ard Kalabak ka
ard Trikhala on its right This formed a
sort OF entering wedge through the middle
OF the Greek forces. by way of the Mace
dCnIan villages just captured by the Greek
irregulars, and Zarkos, in ThessaIy from
which point the expedition started into
Macedonia 1t will therefore, be seen that
ihe Greeks have achieved another success
In occupying strategic positions, by means
OF the irregulars. within Turkish territory
before war has formally been declared
The Greek irreguisrs now hold all of the
four roads leading from the Thessalian
frontier In the direction of Grevena. which
may be looked upon as the Turkish center
Another feature Of the operations which
looks favorable TO the Greeks is in the
fact that, according TO reports received
here from the leaders OF the irregular
forces. al least 1900 mountaineers Of the
country traversed by the Greeks have
joined the irregular forces, and It Is fur
ther stated. the Albanians are DESERVING
from the Turkish forces near Mount Olym-
pus, are escaping into Thessaly and are
joining the Greek forces.
The whole carslpaign was we'll conceived
and has been executed with skill.
Mrs Ormiston Chant, the English social
Teformer, and the six trained field nurses
who were said to be on their way to Crete
have arrived at Athens, and II IS stated
will reach this town, In company with the
princesses of the royal family of Greece.
tomorrow. On arriving here, Mrs Chant
the English nurses (who- came under the
auspices of the Red Cross Society and rhe
prtncesses will be attached to the hosnita a
corps.
The roads in Thessaly are In excellen,
condition for military operations bur On
the Turkish side of the frontier the reyerss
IL the case. and the Turks are experiencins
the greatest difficulties In the transport nj
war material and In the mounting OF 1un,
IN commanding positions.
Appearance Of the Frontier
The whole frontier presents an exciting