The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-05
CELEBRATE
DEFEAT OF
CREEK ARMY
constantinople Wild With
Joy Over Turkish Sue
cess in War.

~ 49, " SN3s
Constantinople, April S. Greek
armies in Asia Minor have been
shattered and routed by the Turks.
Dispatches brought by couriers
from Brussa and Songuldak today
showed the Greeks overwhelmed.
Three divisions were ;.nnihilated.
Two escaped in panic fight over
the desert. leaving broad trail of
dead and dying, smashed wagons,
abandoned guns. wrecked ambu-
lances, MANNED horses and flaming
ruins.
Constantinople was wild with joy.
From Stamboul to Bebek and from
Scutaria to Pera; Islamic banners
and devices fluttered over jubilant
crowds.
Everywhere in some of the big
foreign colonies the population
Joined in noisy rejoicing over the
collapse Of the Greek invasion.
The bloodiest fighting occurred in
the northern sector where for a
month the Greeks had made steady
advances on a 60-mile front.
The Turks, gradually acquiring
ammunition and other supplies by
way of the Black Sea ports, mean
while prepared their, counter Of
fensive.
The attack was launched accord
ing to the German plan. After ar
tillery had flattened the light Greek
defenses. the Turks swarmed out
from their trenches in a great
mass.
Terrific losses were sustained as
the Greeks opened fre ON the ad-
vancing masses with rife and light
artillery. Another wave succeeded
the first and the Turks streamed
over the Greek lines. The Turks
easily excelled in the hand to hand
fighting, welding knife and bayo-
net with deadly effect. The tradi-
tional weapon of the Turk, the
scimitar, appeared.
Greek lines waved and broke.
Artillery horses we're unleashed.
Sometimes bearing two and three
riders, the animals galloped to the
rear.
The retreat became a rout. Along
a 60-mile front the crescent ban
ners bobbed as the Turkish hosts
pursued the enemy.
Greek wounded were left on the
field; The hospital service was dis
organized.
Proclaim Victory.
In Constantinople the victory was
proclaimed by officials of the sub
lime ports. Volunteer criers rushed
through quiet streets shouting the
news. Instantly the streets. be-
came crowded. Banners we're flung
from windows.
Stamboul, itself the center Of the
Islamic population, was riot OF
color. Men in European clothing
chartered in the bazaars, embraced
each other in the streets and
swarmed into coffee houses which
iresounded with shouts of joy as the
i great victory was discussed. the ar
rival of each courier bringing added
details of the rout.
| Even the veiled women crept
from their shuttered apartments
mingling as freely as they dared
with the crowds. For once thu
shrewdly bargaining masters of thu
shops forgot their wares. Th'
stores were closed for the day ant
dealers rushed into the maelstrom'
in the streets.
(. The mosques decorated with ban
ners, the crescent peeping from
their folds, were jammad with oA4al
worshipers.
With all the joy. however. th'
worshipers we're warned to remem
, Der the fallen heroes who had driv
en- the Greeks back.
: Foreigners mingled with tn
crowds, not as celebrators, but II
enjoy the festivities. Allied observ
ers discounted the victory to som
| extent, believing that the Greek
can retain their present lines AM
that the war will have to be decides
by outsiders.
To Lose Brussa.
Constantinople, April 5.-(By Tn
Associated Press Greek force
, ! in north Asia Minor seem to be i
danger of losing Brussa, on whicl
city the Turkish Nationalists ar
advancing in superior numbers
The Greek casualties during tn
| last 10 days on the Eski-Shehr from
: are estimated at 5000 ofncers an
:. men.
Il Severe losses have been inflicte
.on the Greeks, and the morale Q
! the troops is said to be poor. de
spite the large number OF priest
: who are with them and encourae
ing them In the battle. Their cor
slant fight against superior mum
bers and the fact that they hav
I few reserves tended to discourag
the Greek divisions.
q HRNRY,S TALE.