The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-03-12
GREEKS CAPTURE STRONGHOLD.
FORTRESS OF JANINA FALLS RE
FORE POWERFUL ATTACK OF
HELLENES.
Garrison of $4,000 Made Prisoners
By Greeks I'm Capture of Key to
Province of Epirus. Crown Price
Announces Victory.

tress OF Janina, key to the possession
of Epirus province. with its garrison
OF $4,000 men, surrendered to the
Greek army today after a defense
which stands out as one of the most
brilliant episodes OF the Balkan war.
The surrender was preceded by a
fierce bombardment continuing two
days and nights. Every available gun,
including howitzers lent by the Ser
Wan artillery, was brought to bear on
the forts defending the beleaguered
city. Thirty thousand shells were
fired by the Greek guns during the
first days cannonade. Gradually the
Turks batteries at Bizani, Monaliari,
sakni and elsewhere were silenced
The Greek commanders by a feint
led the Turks to believe that their at
tack would be made from the right
AS soon as the attention of the de-
tenders had been distracted. the
Greeks hurled large bodies of infan-
try onto the Turkish left. The Otto
man troops, utterly surprised. fell
back in disorder.
Batteries on the heights OF Bizani,
the mains,ay of the defense, had been
unable to stand the pelting of the
shells and were reduced to complete
silence at IL o'clock yesterday morn
ing.
The Greeks pushed their forward
movement during the afternoon and
occupied the Turkish batteries on the
Sakni and Elsas hills. capturing all
the guns and 10 artillerymen. Then
the Greek battalions gradually deploy-
ed onto the plain in front of the city
itself.
The Turkish fight Immediately be-
came general. Whole detachments
succumbed TO panic and joined In a
mad race into the city. The Greek
troops followed almost to the walls.
With all the defending batteries In
the hands of the Greeks and the Hell
lenic soldiers at the gates OF Janina.
Essaad Pasha, the Turkish command
er. at o'clock this morning sent mes
sengers to Crown Prince Constantine
OF Greece announcing the surrender
OF the city and all the troops under
his command
The fall OF Janina was announced
by the crown prince TO the Greek war
o4ice.
Wild enthusiasm reigned In the
streets OF Athens on announcement Of
the news. All houses were decorated
with hags Excited people thronged
the thoroughfares singing the Greek
national anthem. The Greek advance
on Janina began late in October. The
Turks retired rapidly before their op-
ponents and operations round the for
tress opened about the beginning of
December. The attack continued with
varying success even during the pc
riod of the armistice, to which the
Greeks never formally agreed.
Several OF the outlying forts fell be-
fore the Greeks and assaults on the
principal fortlficatlons were gradually
pressed home.
IL was not known until this morning
how many Turkish troops were in the
city, estimates here of them varying
from $4,000 to 10000 men. The popu-
lation numbered $4,000. mostly
Greeks.
The Notifications, which had at
one time been considered strong, were
antlquated and could not resist mod
ern cannon.
Provisions throughout the siege had
been plentiful. as Janina is a centre of
the grain trade.
Premier Venizelos announced the
victory in the chamber OF deputies.
All leaders Of the opposition spoke
congratulating the crown prince and
his army on the brilliant achievement.
A telegram was dispatched to the
crown prince in behalf OF the cham
ber OF the gratitude OF the nation.
At the close OF the sitting the mem
bers OF the cabinet and the deputies.
followed by cheering crowds. marched
To the cathedral where thanksgiv-
ing service was held
\ large number OF Turks succeeded
In escaping from Janlna i'm the direc-
tion OF Lycostomo. Essad Pasha JUS
tilted their escape on the ground that
they formed part OF All Rizza's force
and ne had no right TO detain them
At Soloniki the fall Of Janina vas
celebrated with gun salutos and the
peallng Of bells.
Jury List for FIRST Week.
Tho fnItovv Inc lisf 20 furors f,r tI,.