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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5032, 10 May 1877, Page 2

By the s.s. City of Sydney, which arrived at Auckland yesterday, the exact text of a telegram dated London, May 1; has been received. The telegram will be found in another column. It establishes the correctness of our hypothesis at the time the contradictory telegrams i were received in New Zealand relative to the result of the first engagement between the Russians and Turks. That telegram stated that the Russians commenced hostilities at “ Ardsham,” and as it came in apparent connection with news concerning the movements of the Russians on the European frontier of Turkey, many were puzzled by it. We pointed out that a mistake Had evidently been made, and that “Ardsham” should be read “ Ardahan,” a place near the frontier of Asiatic Turkey, and on a lino of inarch adopted by the Russians at the time of their invasion in 1829, by which they advanced on Kars. Our conjecture, as will be seen, was quite correct, as the telegram via Auckland published this day shows that the Russians, after the hostilities at Ardahan, marched on Kars. A reference to the map issued with the New Zealand Times will show the line of their march. The Russian force -which arrived at Kars was but one of several which, crossing the frontier at different points, converged, towards that city, with what result so far yesterday’s telegrams have made us acquainted. Lord Derby’s answer to Prince Gortciiakoff’s despatch, the leading features in which have been telegraphed tons, makes us acquainted with the exact attitude of England as regards the beligerents. She previously pointed out to Turkey how her conduct was losing her the support of her best friends, but that does not prevent her from regarding the action of Russia as being in direct violation of. the treaty of 185 G and its subsequent revision, j And of this there can be little doubt. Whichever way the present contest may terminate, whether it involve England in hostilities or not, one thing is certain, that she lias been consistent throughout all the negotiations antecedent to alctual war, that she is now enabled clearly to define her position, and that whilst condemning the Turks for internal wrongdoing, she protests against that wrongdoing being made by Russia a! pretext for a war that can have only one object, territorial aggrandisement. j