Europe 353
MID#1573
Dispute Number: 1573
Date(s): January 7, 1878 to February 6, 1878
Participants: 350 Greece/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute between Greece and Turkey occurred at the very end of
the Russo-Turkish War. Turkey was losing badly, and Greek king seized upon this
opportunity and declared that he would abdicate the throne if Greece came out of
the crisis without territorial gain. On January 7, 1878, he ordered the mobilization of
10,000 reserves, and in early February, ordered the occupation of the Turkish Thes-
saly. Greece then declared war on Turkey. The European powers protested this action
by Greece and demanded that the troops be recalled. When Greece realized that the
Russian and Turkish armistice would leave Turkey free to attack the coasts of Greece
with its navy, Greece conceded to the powers’ demands and recalled its troops on
February 6, 1878.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 26, 1878. Outcome changed from
Unclear.
MID#1574
Dispute Number: 1574
Date(s): February 6, 1878 to February 8, 1878
Participants: 350 Greece/640 Turkey
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Greek troops moved along the Turkish frontier beginning on February 6,
- Turkey then threatened to declare war if Greece did not remove its troops within
two days.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from Missing. End Date changed from Missing.
MID#2835
Dispute Number: 2835
Date(s): August 1878
Participants: 640 Turkey/350 Greece
Outcome (and Settlement): Unclear (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Ottoman Porte refused discussions with Greece as Greek Prime Min-
ister Koumoundouros gave official support to the revolt in Macedonia in August 1878.
The Greek rebellion had launched a series of successful raids against Turkish posts
and were already being funded by wealthy Greek citizens. Koumoundouros ordered
that the Greek consuls of Thessaloniki and Monastir provide the rebels with all assis-
tance possible. The Ottomans responded with a show of force near the Greek frontier,
and Greek asked the Great Powers for mediation.