The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-07
Garrison Falls After Bril-
liant and Heroic
Defense
OVER 10000 SOLDIERS
GIVE UP THEIR ARMS
Surrender Preceded by Fierce Bonn
bardment Which Lasted Two
Days and Nights--Rejoic-
ing in Athens

Athens. March e.-The Turkish
fortress of Janina, key to the possession of
Epirus province. with its garrison of
| se,ooo 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 fierce
bombnr1inent continuing TWO days and
nights, Every available gun. Including
heavy Howitzers. lent by the servian ar
tillery. was brought to bear on the forts
defending the heieagnered city.
Thirty thousand smells were fired by tho
Greek guns during the first days cannon
ading. Gradually the Turks batteries at
szani, Manonara, sakni and elsewhere
were siienced
The Greek commanders by u feint led
the Turks to believe their attack would
oe made from the right. As soon as the
attention OF the de1enaers had been dis
ttacten the Greeks nnfied ialse Dodies Of
lnIantrs Quito the Turkish left.
the Uttoman troops, utterly surprised.
fell BACK III disorder batteries on the
hcisnts OF 8izani the mamstay OF the de-
leilse, mad been unable To slatia the pelt-
ii,s oil the shells anu were reduced to conn.,
piete Silence AT II O'Clock yesterday tore-
noon.
subsequently the Greeks pushed their
forward movement into tile afternoons
fneS occupied the Turkish batteries on
tie Sakni and Elias hills, capturing all the
guns and ll9 ariierymen. inen the Greek
pattalions graduaiiy aepiosed On to me
PLAN III front of the city itself.
Turks Take to Flight
The Turkish flight Immediately became
general Whole attachments snccumbed
10 panic and Joined In mad race into.
the city. The Greek troops followed al
most to the walls. With all the defending
batteries in he hands of the Greeks, and
the Hellenic soldiers at the gates of ia
nina, Essad pasna, Turkish commander,
at 8 o'clock this morning sent messengers
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 OF
fiees Wild enthusiasm reigned N ,the
streets OF Athens on announcement of III
news. All houses were decorated with
| flags Excited people thronged the thor
oughfares singing the Greek national an
| them.
| The Greek advance on Janina began late
| IN October The Turks retired rapidly
before their opponents and operations
around the fortress opened about the be-
ginning of December. TIE attack eontln-
| led with varying success even during the
| period of the armistice, to which the
Greeks never formally agreed.
| Several OF the outlying forts fell before
the Greek assaults, and the attack on the
principal forts was gradually pressed
hcme
1t was not known until today how many
Turkish troops were In the city, estimates
heretofore varying from $4,000 to 5000
men. The population numbered 2z,ou.
mostly Greeks. The fortineations winch
at one time had been considered strong
were antiquated and could not resist mod
ern cannon Provisions throughout the
siege had been plentiful as Janina Is a
center of the grain trade
Prince Is Congratulated
Premier venizelos announced the VIC
tory in the chamber Of deputies. All lead
efh 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 chamber by the
premier expressive of the gratitude of the
nation.
AT the close OF the sitting the members
Of the cabinet and the deputies. followed
by cheering crowds, marched to the "a
thedral, where a thanksgiving service was
~