ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5119, 20 August 1877, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

(Per Arawata at the Bluff.) WAR NEWS. THE CAMPAIGN IN ASIA MINOR. DETAILS OE THE FIGHTING. Bluff, Sunday. The mail news is to July 14th. A severe censorship has been established both by the Russians and Turks over private telegrams. The special correspondent of the DaUy Telegraph visiting, the Caucasus found hundreds of families starving, all their provisions having been carried off by Russians. In the Zamu district fifteen hundred families, whose homes have been burnt by the Russians, died ef starvation before provisions could be sent by the new Turkish Governor. The insurrection in the Caucasus does not make much way, and has been confined to the coast. It was, however, interrupted by the forwarding of reinforcements to Armenia, and thereby aiding in the present collapse of the Russian campaign in Asia Minor. On the 29th June fifteen thousand Russians attacked the Turks near near Soukum Ivaleh, but after an obstinate fight were repulsed with a loss of two thousand men. The Turks being entrenched only lost about five hundred. Further fighting took place between the Russian left and Turkish right and the two centres, and finally on the 30th of June and Ist of July a prolonged engagement came off under the cover of a heavy artillery fire. The entire Turkish force attacked the Russians and drove them before them into the plains of Kars, The Russians had 740 killed and wounded. Turkish accounts state that in the battle of Karakalissa on the 30th June and Ist of July the Russians had three thousand killed, besides an enormous number wounded. A telegram from a correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Erzerum say the Russians are completely demoralised. A St. Petersburg letter says that the collapse of the campaign in Asia is to be attributed to the scattering of the forces and attacking too many places at once, and the insurrection in the Caucasus. The statements as to the disagreement between the Grand Duke Michael and General MeKkoff are believed to be reliable. It is asserted that the Russians have lost in Asia since the commencement of the campaign 10,000 in killed alone. The Montenegrins attribute their defeats to Prince Nicholas entrusting the command to Russian officers who were ignorant of mountain warfare, and needlessly exposed their troops. An official intimation has been given to the Hungarian Chamber that Austria has made no engagement with Russia; that she will neither tolerate any change in respect to the possession of Turkey, nor any territorial transformation of that country; and that she will reserve full liberty of action for the preservation of the interests of that country. The Austrian papers warmly support an entente cordiale with Great Britain. The Austrian Government is understood to disapprove of the terms of .the Czar’s proclamation to the Bulgarians, shadowing forth the foundation of an independent State. Under date July 12, it is stated that severe fighting has taken place between the Russians and the Circassian insurgents, with indecisive results, both sides maintaining their positions. Ahmet Effeudi, who has been appointed Turkish Envoy to the Ameer of Afghanistan, is the bearer of costly presents and letters from the Sultan, advising the Ameer to strengthen her relations with England, and avoid relations with the Russians. The necessity for establishing depots retards the advance of the Russians in Bulgaria. The Turks have evacuated Tchernovada, and have fallen back on Silistria, virtually withdrawing from Trajan's wall, and leaving the road open out of the Dobrudscha. The trial of Tourville for murder in Tyrol resulted in a verdict of guilty, and Tourville was sentenced to be hanged, but the sentence is likely to be commuted to life imprisonment. The Berlin Post of July 3 says the Republic for France means peace for Europe ; a monarchy supported by the Ultramontanists means war. It is rumored that the French Government is considering an excuse for the arrest of Gambetta, in order to keep him from interfering in the elections. Street tramways have been introduced with success in Belfast and Glasgow. Great distress prevails amongst the Clyde shipbuilders owing to a lock-out. Many families are reduced to starvation point. All attempts at mediation are indignantly repulsed. An extensive fire took place at Newsone’s timber yard, Pimlico. The Foot Guards were called out, and the excitement was greater than at any fire since the destruction of the Pantechnicon. Several houses were destroyed at the same time. R. B. Paul, late Archdeacon of the Waimea, has died, and also Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, at Poonah.