The Washington herald., 1921-04-10
Creeks Meet Crushing Defeat.

Il with their base of operations at Brussa, early
- this week met crushing defeat at the hands OF
the Turks In pane-streken retreat. they have been
forced back their original lines.
When King Constantine started his offensive smash
into Asiatc Turkey late last month two primary OBJ
jectives the vital junction towns the Bagdad
railroad, Eski-Shehr and Alum Karahssar EskiShehr
is the ralhead for the branch line running to Angora
the Anatolian capital where Mustapha Kema has set
up his headquarters and where, is presumed, his
supply base is located Aun Karahssar stands at the
junction OF the main Bagdad line and the Smyrna
branch, controlling traffic west, north and sodth.
The northern armies deployed from Brussa along
the main line OF the Bagdad railroad. The left flank
captured Ada Bazaar. The right flank, advancing
through mountainous country, reached striking dis
tance OF Eski-Shehr.
The Kemaists appear to have led the Greeks into
trap They retreated consistently before the enemy
advance Meanwhile they massng their forces
Esk-Shehr. They threw up trench defenses in the
hl country surrounding the junction. Within conven-
knt distance of their base they faced army
which had cut loose from its base without, ap-
Darently, retaining liaison.
TLUSHED with victor,vthe Greek forces assaulted
these lines. The result was battle which ended
= in hand o-hand fighting The Ottoman troops, it
is claimed Differed by Bolshevist military
Strategic plans of the Greek commander for the union
Of three divisions failed His troops were broken up
by che Turk counter The Kemslists then unleashed
their cavalry. The result to the demorazed Greeks,
was almost massacre; more than 10000 dead are
reported The Greeks retreated to Ishmid an impor-
tant railroad town the Bagdad line, with the enemy
horsemen in hot pursuit.
Constantnes troops trying, with
prospect of success hold the original Brussa line,
extending from Ishmd to the neighborhood of Billed
jk, east Of Brussa. The Greeks their
supply base and will be able counter. Ishmet
Pasha the Kemaist commander, wise through the
Il e. .L~I L.. xI.II..
will be cautious in launching hasty offensive against
territory the Greeks able to hold.
Prince Andreas brother of King Constantine, who
was in command Of one Greek division, reported
killed in the battle of Eski-Shehr. Gen. Vlachapoulos,
Greek army commander the Brussa front. also is
reported slain.
The fortunes of the southern army whose first
objective Alum Karahissar, appear to have been
less tragic 1t is in possession Of the junction.
The Kemaists are massing troops for its recapture.
THE northern debacle was victory for the supe-
rior strategy, both military and political Of
Mustapha Kemal He succeeded in of the
Oldest tricks known the of war-hat of drawing
the enemy away from his base Facing apparent defeat
every hand he succeeded in settling his differences
with both the French and the Russians such
tent that he obtained assistance from at least of
these former foes.
Observers of Greek politics claim that the defeat,
unless there is rapid and sensational recovery of the
lost ground will the overthrow of Constantine.
Efforts to call classes of reservsts to the coors
to suppant the lost Eski-Shehr have with
halfhearted response. The recall of Constantine
was based opposition to the miltarist policy of
Venizelos but the war-weary people appear to have
stepped from the mire into the quicksand
Former Premier Venizelos has left Paris and is
reported his way back to Greece. He probably
waits some spontaneous demonstration against the
ruling house to make his appearance in Athens
Sympathy of European powers, with the possible
eeption of Great Britain is with the Turks, who
secure unofficial French assistance if they need it,