The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 29, 1897, Page 1

" SAN FRANCISCO, THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL ICE FIVE CENT TURKS REPULSED BY THE GREEKS AT VELESTINO - Attack the Fortified Town and Encounter Stubborn Resistance. FORCED TO WITHDRAW WITH CONSIDERABLE LOSS. Important Victory on the New Line of Defense—Edhem Pasha Sends a Flag of Truce to the People & ailroad branch lace of ap ome 2500 Black Mou s. one line going to Volo, six 2500 people, and the Pegasun on the right, and the high s; the r. ala, thirty miles to the west. Just beyond The va-s lies some 450 feet above t! ilroad and highway from Larissa to Vo IES T0 HS High POSITION | Associate Justice Fieid Determined Not to Resign. &i | WILL YIELD TO DEATH On the far side of the pass the the junction lies the town of Velestino, ho sea level, between the Kara Dagh, or NEW YORK, N. Y., April 28—The Herald’s Salonica dispatch says: Pre- vesa’s Governor telegraphs that the inter- pted communication with Saloniea port been restored. Osman Pasha said to- said that th for four day nces was a be- eace seems probable, but if the war for the front. Con- of the war by the Greeks would d been kept i STANTINOPLE, TURgEY, Ap! n Pasha has returned. No ex- safed for his return. No Change in the Attitude of the Chris- tian Powers. LONDON, Exc., April 28—Nothing of importance had hsppened at Atbens up e time the latest dispatches were sent 2 the city the general si so threateninz as it has been ORTHRYS MTs T e e c:g{hx oo 3§ /4 = 2 P, —+ Name$ of Movntains. ‘N CAPITALS Heghts inreet v Map of the City and Gulf of Volo, Showing Approaches From the North, Outlets South and West and the Battle-ground at Tepe-Pilav. Volo, the objective point of Edhem Pasha’s movement to the eas long as they remain oa the Pharsala line of defense. prime importance, as they can thereby keep up q all supplies must be sent by land. The city contains about 11,000 people, and is, in fact, two towns connted as one. The old town lies on the lower slope of Mount Pelion, about 2 mile and a half away from the “Skals,” or landing place, which, since the opening of the railroad to Layissa and Trikkala in 1834, nas grown rapidly and become the center of the business lite. The place is flanked on the east by Mount Pelion, 5230 feet Ligh, and on the north the Plessidhi Mounteins rise to a height of 3600 feet. On the northeast lies the pass of Tepe-Piiav, through which come the railroad and highway from Larissa, and by which the Turkish advance must be made. There are no defenses in the port except what may have been very lately constructed. The only fortifications about the city consist of a fort of heavy masenry on arocky ledge northwest of the town, which commands the city, the *Skala” and the upper harbor, but has little bearing on the roads from the northwest. Tiree miles to thewwest, near Velestino, is the junction of the railrosd to Pharsala and Trikkals, which after leaving Vele runs through a series of deep cuttings to the summit of the pass overlooking the plain of Velestino. Nearly paraliel to the railroad is the wagon roed to Pharsala and interwediate points. A couple of miles south is the plain aad city of , through which passes the road to Lamia and beyond. With the sid of war vessels in the barbor, the Greeks will probably be able to hold the port and the terminus of the rail- road, and by good management keep the line intact and open to Pharsala. Should they not sacceed in this and be flanked at Velestino, they can withdraw by water tbrough Trikui Channel to the Zgean and Athens, or by Oreas Channel to Lamis and road to Pharsala. Ynipor” Railroads t, 18 a position of great importance to the Greeks as !d it and the railroad connecting it with Pharsala is an object of cation with Athens by rail and sea, while, shouid they lose it, { the inti and that there is no disorder of any conae- quence. The Boule, which was summoned to meet in extraordinary session this mor: ing, held no owing to the fact that a quory not present. The Legislative Assembly met agal this evening, with only ninety-five mem- bers present. One hundred and four are necessary for a quorum, and the house again adjourned. A great crowd was out- side the building, put there was no dis- order. The city generally is quiet. Athens to the Chronicle ala is becoming discour- man could perhaps gal- vanize the nation into a supreme effort; otherwise I am afraid all is over.” Tne significance of this dispateh lies in of the correspondent with high state officials. Hitherto ne has been in close touch with the highest sources of information. Meanwhile,a tween Great Bri the best-informed ropean capi o, France and Italy, correspondents at Eu- cofcur that the attitude of the powers is unchanged. They still maintain t re 4ive not to offer to meuiate betseen ricece and Turkey, but await submission of the former, and especially to wait for the withdrawal of Greek troops from Crete. Importance is attached t. the fact that is 1ad an interview | nir Bey, tue rki Embassa- he length of the interview is taken cate that there is some diverzence in the views between them. There was constant exchange of telegrams with Eu. ropean capitals during the conference. The Paris correspondent of the News telexraphs that during the conference be- tween M. Hanotsux and Munir Bey the Foreign Minister urgea thse latter to ad- vise the Sultan to hold out the olive branch to Greece. It was added thatif Ottoman troops advanced quences would be incalculable. France would be compelled to come forward a the defender of the cause of Christiani and civilization. Continuing Hanotaux declared tnat if the powers intervened in the Levant it would not be to prop up the Ottoman empire. In conclusion he said the overthrow of the dyn at Atbens could not tail to have far-reaching conse- quences. The correspondent adds that as soon as Manir Bey departed from office Hanotaux summoned the heads of various departments to receive instruc- tions. Lord Salisbury, who bas been for some time at Rivera, le/t Nice to-day on his re- turn to London. Itisexpected that he will see Hanotaux when he arrives at Paris to-morrow. The Chrenicle has been sounding vari- ous prominent men for opinions on the Greeco-Turkish situation. It finds that the darkest views as to Greece’s pros- pects that prevail in best informed quar- ters are common elsewhere. Diike, an authoiity on foreign questions and warmly pro-Greek, takes a very pessimistic view of the situation, and thinks the powers are determined to postpone intervention until the Greek dynasty has fallen. What will follow after he does not venture to prophesy. Tne Times’ Larissa correspondent says that Constantine was the last to leave Larisss when the Greeks retreated from ting tive hours that city, and did not depart until Sunday | morning, whereas the main portion of the army left the day before. A LOS ANGELES VULUNTEERS. Soldiers of Fortune Who Wik the Greeks. LOS ANGELES, CaL, April 28.—There are about 200 trained soldiers in this ecity all organized and ready to go to Greece and fight for King George, provided his Mz jesty remains in power and the Turl have not overrun bis kingdom before Woula Fight | these soldiers of fortune can reach the field of bartie. Scott Oliver, a detective who has had experience in the navy, is at the head of the movement and is ready to move his men at & few hours’ notice if the word is received from Athens. The men ask only that their transporta- tion be paid end that on arrival they be enrolled in the regular army, with their own ofticers in command. There are many among them who have seen service sna who like a fight better than a good din- ner. Some of them are prominent in business and social circles of the aity, but it is impossible, for obvious reasons, to | publish their name: General Mosby Is Kecowering. RICHMOND, Va., April 28 —General Mosby returned to consciousuess to-day, and the first words asked wera about the Grant dedication. He listened eagerly to all that was read to him about the great event. His chances for recoveryare good. the consultations be- | , the French Foreign Minister, | the conse- | the foreign | W EY l_[ H ! S | thought only of saving himself. Further- | WASHINGTON, D. y ROULEST | -~ MASSACRE Orders the Slaughter of Over a Hundred | Pacificos. ] ‘ | | THEIR OFFENSE THAT OF | CROP-RAISING. Had Been Given Permission by the Governor of the Province. ATTACKED IN THE NIGHT BY | GUERRILLAS. Shot Down Likas Dogs as Panlc- | | Stricken They Fles From Thelr Homes. HAVANA, Cusa, Avril 23.—Horrible | details come to Sancti Spiritus of the | total destruction a small village ten miles fiom there on April 15. The village | contained 150 persons, who received per- wission from the commandant of Sancti | Spiritus to remain there and grow crops. Oa Weyler's last visit to that section he | | was informed of this and it was intimated | to him that the Spanish Governor there | bad received money to allow them to re- | main, Weyler thereupon gave ordersto | Captain Disz, the noted guernlla leader, | to remove them. | Diaz arrived there at night and sta. tioned his force of 300 men around tne | settlement, completely encompassing it. Houses tnroughout the village were then | fired upon simultaneously, and as the | screaming and defenseless people emerged | | trom the buildings they were shot dowa of likedogs. The Spanish guerrillas spared | that since the landing of General Rolof’s , Field was indisposed. neither age nor sex.and when morning dawned over 100 bodies were lying in the | | ruins of the once flourishing village. 1 | Diaz made a report that ne had been at- | | tacked by Cubans and that some pacificos | had been killed during the fight. The | exact facts were brought to the Junta by a courier. P Sy s GARCIA’S GHEAT FVICIORY. Grapldc Account of the Battle by a spanish Officer. | HAVANA, Cuvsa, April 25, via Key| West, April 28.—General Nicolas del Rey | has been recalled to Havana from Santi- agode Cuba. The cause is the great vic- | tory obtained over him by Calixto Garcia near Guamo. Further detalls of the battle from Man- | | zanillo under date of April 19 show that the Spanish column of 2000 men was put | 10 rout by the dynamite bombs that were | | exploded. Two hundred were blown up | | by the bombs and 250 were slain by th insurgeats during the confusion of the panic-stricken Soanish colamn. The bombs were planted in the road on which | the Spaniards were marching. Six bombs | | exploded simuitaneously in the center of | General Rey’s column. A Spanish officer writes the following description of the | battle to his family here regarding the ex- | plosion: | “From the center of our column a sud. den shock came, which threw us to th ground. We remained deaf and blind for a few seconds. Then we tried to arrange the column again, but in the panic and | disorder we fe!l one upon anotherin the greatest disorder and confusion. When I | was able to stand I saw around me heads | | entirely cut off from bodies, pieces of hu- | man limbs scattered here and there, and | | men without arms or legs crying in the | | grasp of death. On the branches ot some | | of the trees were the mautilated bodies of | many of our soldiers. Legs, arms and | pieces of bloody garments were nanging from the branches. It was perfectly easy a few moments later for the enemy to rout and disperse our column. “Kearing another explosion each man | more we were surrounded in afew mo- ments by foes, who fired on us merciles. from all sides. - Assoon as the first shots of the insurgents ware heard after the ex- plosion our general, followed by his staff and other officers and soldiers, fled to Guamo. They were soon foliowed by the whole force. . In our reireat we were greatly harrassed by.the Cuban cavalry.” The writer adds thai the Spaniards leit on the field neatly all of their armsand ammunition, besides a consideravle con- voy of provisions th carrying to Guamo. From other letters it is learned that Garcia in verson led the Cuban | | | ALONE. He Has Resolved to Remain “Until Removed to a Higher Court.” | WOULD BREAK THE RECORD FOR Tepe-Pilav Pass and Velestino, Where the Turks Were Repulsed by the Greeks in Their Advance Upon Volo Yesterday. The point of view is from the Lirissa sid e of Tepe Pilav Pass, through which ru iles 10 the east, and the other to Phar overlooking Voloand the gulf beyond. ar that shoots down from Mount Peliva, between the Gulf of Volo and Karla Lake. nd | LONG SERVICE. It Is Believed He Wishes to Occupy the Bench Longer Than Any of His Predecessors. April 28.—A report has been circulated in the Califore nia colony here that Field of the United States had resolved that he would vench * emoved to a higher court.” leather chair usually occupied by Justice Fieid was vacant. The other eight Jus- tices were present to hear Hon. Jere Wil- ent lawyer, argue an im- ional bank case, L representative then visited d’s residence, near the Cap- itol. The aged jurist’s wife said that Mr. JUSTICE STEPHEN ]J. FIELD. expedition in Cuba the use of dynamite by tae Cubans 1s incessant. This has pat the Spanish soldiers into a state of terror difficult to describe. ———— EXODUS OF SPA>IsH GENEEALS, Their Eagermess to Get Causes Seriows Comment. HAVANA, Cusa, Apr ,—Within the past few months there has been a regular exodus of Spanish generals from Cuba to Spain, and advices from tne Philippine Islands show a similar eagerness on the partof the Spanish generals there (o gat back to their own country. Tuere is a | strong suspicion that many of the officers in Cuba are dissatisfied with Weyler and want to get away for that reason. So many generals have arrived in Spain Iately from Cuba and the Philippines that the Madrid newspavers make serious com- ments. La Lucha here takes the same ground in condemning the officers ior Iiack Home | bandoning active service in the field, and | n an editorial to-day urges that the Gov- rnment take measures to stop what grows to be a crying evil. INTERESIING FIGURES, Nearly @ Quarter of a Million Soidiers Used by Spain. | Pr HAVANA, Cuea, April 28._Diario del | Ejercito, the newspaper organ of the panish army, published the following official figures of troops sent by Spain to Cuba from March 1, 1895 to Ma:ch 21 last: Generals, 10; colonels and majors, 775; other officers, 6222; soldiers, 180,345. Total, 187,272. To the Philippine Islands the troops sent from Spain has been 26,- 622, including 5 generals, 99 superior offi- cers, 735 other officers and 25,784 common soldiers. Grand total of me: tto the colonial wars in two years, 218 731 - Going to Luvestigatr. WASHINGTON, D. C.. April 28.—Presi- | dent McKinley has selectea W. J. Cal- houn of Danville, [iL, special commis- | sioner to investigate the case of Dr.Ruiz,in place of Judge Day, appointed Assistant Secretary of ftate. He had not been feeling well for some time. He had a bad She felt sure, however, that it was nothing serio “In fact.’” said Mrs. Field, “the Justice went out driving this morning.” She begzged that her husband be exe cused, unless the matter was very urgent, as he had deniea a reception to all vise itors lately. Mrs. Field was told of areport printed some time ago to the effect that her hus- band would retire in July next. She neither affirmed nor denied the th of this, saying merely that she felt sure the Justice' would not care to make any avowal of bis intentions at this time. Rumors and contradictory rumors have been printed about Mr. Field's coniem- plated resignation. Four or five years ago reports of his early retirement were sent out from Washington, but Mr. Field still hangs on tenaciously. At one time it was said that he intendeda to remain on the bench so that President Cleveland would not have the pleasure of naming his successor. It will be remembered that he feit somewhat disgruntled because ident Cleveland during his first ad- ministration was not disposed to accept his advice with regarl to California ap- pointments. Therefore he was resolyed to hang on until Mr. Cleveland was suc- ceeded in office. Latterly the Justice has been greauy dispiesaed because of the anxiety of certain Californians to get rid of him. It has been the constant expectation, which emounts to a certainty, that Ate torney-General McKenna will succeed him on the bench, and it 1s well known that James A. Waymire has hoes of being Ate torney-G- neral when McKenna iselev to the Supreme Court. This inspi grim determination ou the part ot Ju: Field to defeat the ambition of those who are so anXxious to prefit by his retirement. Justice Field is known to be of a some- what retaliatory disposition. One day he asked THE CALL correspondent about George K. Fitch, then editor of the Bul- letin. *‘When I wasa member of the California