WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 383, 16 July 1877, Page 2

WAR NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Atlantic despatches re the war are very full. The Russian advance through Ronmania was reported, most orderly, and brought a rich harvest to the inhabitants of the principality; six men were picketed on each house in towns occupied. The line of railway from Jassy consisted of only a single line, and was badly constructed, and as no higher speed than 15 miles an hour could be obtained, the Russians employed a thousand men to lay a

new line. Reinforcements from Erzeroum to Ardahan effected a junction with a portion of the former garrison. The combined force, by a coup de main, succeeded in recapturing the town. The Turks numbered 8000. Belgian advices state that the Russians reduced the town to ruins before the Turkish entry. The recapture was also denied. The Russians have evacuated the whole coast of Abazes country. The Czar formally takes command of both the Russian and Roumanian armies. All cause of jealousy will thus be averted. A Vienna despatch says Count Schounliff informed Prince Bismarck that the Russians, as indemnification for war expenses, would eventually claim Upper Ai-menia, as far as Kars. Coarl.ii was slelltd for eight hours. Several sailing ships were destroyed, also a steamer of the Austrian Danube Navigation Company. The Russians blew up another Turkish monitor, which had gone to the Danube with torpedoes. The operation was a very daring one. A Russian officer conducted the torpodo to the monitor in open daylight under fire. The Russian boat was almost submerged by the explosion of the torpedo, and another was struck by the shot. General Todtleben, of Crimean fame, has arrived at Sebastopol, to take the command of the defences. Russian advance in Europe has been much delayed by floods, which covered Roumanian railways. The Porte has made levies on the Christians for 200,003 troops, but on remonstrance withdrew the order. Five million roubles exemption money were paid by voluntary subscription in Russia. Instructions have been issued to Hobart Pasha to bombard Odessa. Charges of malversation have been brought against Mukhtar Pasha, who has beenthreatened with a Court-Martial for saying he had equipped 70,000 troops, when he had only 30,000. Some Bashi-Bazouks crossed the Danube and slaughtered a party of Roumanians on May 31. The Times' correspondent estimates the Turkish army in Europe at 200,000, who are well armed, but short of artillery and cavalry. He says the Danube fortresses are placed in a wonderful state of efficiency by earthworks on Mader's principle, but are in total want of military organisation. Prince Gortschakoff's note to Lord Derby, of which Count Schouvaloff is the bearer, states that the Czar does not want territorial increase in Europe, but only desires autonomy for Bulgaria, and the independence of Roumania and Servia. A despatch from Erzeroum states that Mukhtar Pasha's army is decimated by sickness, the commissariat is in a frightful condition, and the roads are swarming with deserters from the army. Subsequent telegrams are more hopeful. Twenty battalions of reinforcements have arrived from Trevizani, and threatened Russian communication with Ardahan. Three flying columns of horse were sent by Mukhtar Pasha against the Russian right wing. The Russians not only evacuated OltCbut Pen nek, at the foot of the Pass over Canle}' Range, leading to Ardahan. Both Olti and Pennek were reoccupied by the Turks, who also pursued the Russians. Three attacks were made by the Russians against Fort Sinez, erected to strengthen the defences of Fort Velepach, the kc yof Kars. The Russians massed aiound Kars all the troops brought from Ardahan, Gummoy, Kankiso, and Sorikamiche, for several days. They attempted io stoim the Forts Samez and Kaj adat, but on every occasion were repulsed. On Saturday they made a desperate effort to take possession of the heights, when the garrison made a sortie with held artillery, and repulsed the Russian soldiers between Olti and Erze-

roum. Mukhtar Pasha's pickets extend from liis camp at Seewin to Olti on one side, and Erzeroum on the other. At Batoum, the Russians are pushing on their works, reinforcements are greatly needed, and without relief the troops will become tired out. The Turkish officers are despondent. Capi i& deserted, the shops closed, and the inhabitants have fled into the interior. Only a few soldiers remain to oppose the landing of the Circassians from the Turkish transports. At Constantinople affairs are said to be in a bad condition. The Sultan : s morose, and railing against England. People are getting discouraged, and treasonable • speeches are heard on all sides. A change in the administration is likely, and Midhat Pasha will probably be recalled as Commander-in-Chief. The policy of Hobart Pasha is openly denounced. The Bashi-Bazouks have committed outrages in Constantinople. Mukhtar Pasha's Aliaschegerdo division, which started from Delibati on an offensive reconnaissance in the direction of the Tiber Pass, was attacked by three Russian columns, but repulsed them with heavy losses, after five hours' desperate fighting. The total Russian forces available for Asia minor are —140,000 around Kara,

30,000 between Kars and Batoum, 300,00 between Kars and the line of Bayazid and Toprakalith, leaving about 40,000 for the centre against Mukhtar Pasha. 40,000 are in a strong position. A Turkish squadron, consisting of 2 monitors. 3 ironclads, and several barques, is cruising about Eupatoria and Sebastopol. A panic has occurred at Odessa. Twenty-thousand Arabs are ravaging the country between Damascus and Alleppo. Pasha Pasha gained a decisive victory over 13,000 Russians, near Sukhum Kaleh. A large number of Sisters of Mercy have arrived at the Russian camp. This i 3 regarded as a symptom of sickness. The chief points of the Russian advance across the Danube will be east and west of the quadrilateral. Operations on the Turkish flank on the western line will be chosen as advantageous for advance on good roads over the Balkans, from Pliono to Land, and another from Sistova to Syka Pass, towards Phillopopolis. A Berlin despatch says orders have been issued by the Russian Government to accelerate a new levy of 218,000 men. An opinion prevails that Russia favours peace, and negotiations will be commenced if the Russians succeed in the Danube. A Daily News Rustchnk despatch says outrages are proceeding unchecked in the province of Tultscha. The Christians are outraged by the authorities, and abandoned to Tartars and Circassians. Villages and arms are wantonly sacked and burned, with a view of rendering the country a desert before the advance of the Russians. Ghastly heads are carried every day by blood-stained murderers into Toultscha, Match me, Badagh, and Herzegovina, and the flames of burning villages are visible every night. The Turks are collecting reserves westward of Sophia, and the garrison at Widin has b en reduced to strengthen the army in the field. The Turks anticipate creating an insurrection among the Tartars in the Crimea, Servia remains inactive to avoid Austrian complications. In an encounter between six Russian torpedo boats and some Turkish ironclads, afc Sulina, at the mouth of the Danube, the torpedo boats were beaten off, and three destroyed. Some prisoners were taken, and one of the ironclads was injured. Fighting in Montenegro has been very severe, the Turkish troops there numbering 70,000. Several thousands were slaughtered on both sides. The Turks crushed back the enemy, who were completely out-numbered. ENGLAND AND THE WAR. Mr. Gladstone received an ovation in Birmingham. Business was suspended. Thirty thousand people attended the night meeting, at which the Liberal leader made an eloquent attack on Turkey, and challenged the Government to dissolve the House, and test the feeling of the country. Enthusiastic resolutions were passed, calling on the Government to demand guarantees for the Christians in Turkey. Lords Derby and Salisbury made most pacific speeches at the Merchant Tailors' banquet at the Guildhall. OTHER NATIONS AND THE WAR. Several German ironclads have been sent to the Mediterranean to act under ordei's of the German consul. Large subscriptions have been raised in Berlin for the wounded Russian soldiers, and the nobles are encouraging the movement. Much popular excitement in favour of war has taken place in Greece and Servia. In the latter Principality, public prayers were offered, in the presence of the Prince, for the success of Russian arms. In Greece, the King, yielding to the clamour of the people, formed a Ministry , possessing the sympathies of the people.