NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 114, 21 August 1877, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

(Per s.s. Arawata, via Bluff.)

July 14. On June 29, 15,000 Russians attacked the Turks near Sukhum Kaleh, and after an obstinate fight -were repulsed with the los° of 2000 men. The Turks, being entrenched, only lost about 500. Further fighting tookplace be-

tween the Russian left and Turkish right, and the two centres, and finally on July 1 a-prolonged-e-ngagninit came off at Karakalissa, when; under cover of a heavy, artillery fire, tin- entire Turkish force attacked Ihe Ivussians. and drove them before them into tlie plains of Kars. The Russinns admit 740 killed and wounded, and tlie Turkish accounts say that the Russian loss was 8000 killed and an enormous number wounded. . A telegram from the correspondent-of the Daily Telegraph at Erzeroum says that the Russions are completely demoralised. A St Petersburg letter says that the collapse of the campaign in Asia is to be attributed to scattering the forces and attacking too many places at once, to the insurrection in the Caucasus, and to the disagreement between the Grand Duko Michael and General Melikoff. These statements are believed to be reliable. It is asserted that the Russians have lost in Asia 6ince the commencement of the cpgpaign 10,000 killed alone.' It is - stated that a severe fight took place on July 11, between the Russians and the Abasian Insurgents at Shornkatz;. The result was indecisive, both sides maintaining their positions. The Turks have evacuated Tohernovoda, and fallen back en Silstria, virtually withdrawing from Trajan's wall, and leaving the road open out of the Dobrudscha. The Berlin Post of July 3 says that a Republic for France means peace for Europe ; a monarchy supported by the Ultramontanes means war. It is rumoured that the Government is considering an excuse for the arrest of Gambetta, to keep him .from interfering in the elections. An extensive fire has occurred at a timber yard in Pimlico. The Foot Guards were called out, and the excitement was greater than at any fire since the destruction of the Pantheon. Several houses were destroyed at the same time.