THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1878.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 16, 19 January 1878, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1878.

Bv the arrival oE the schooner Mulifanua, from Tutuila, wo have been somewhat unexpectedly placed in the possession of some very late and important European nows, which will be found in another column. The fortune that seemed to favor the Turks at the commencement of tho campaign between her and Russia, now appears to have forsaken her altogether, for the Turkish strongholds are falling into the hands of tho enemy in such a manner as to load one to believe that there is now very little hope for the Turks of their own strength keeping back the advancing foe. Some short time ago it was thought that winter would so retard the progress of the Russian forces t hat nothing very decisive would be done by them to redeem their losses of the summer, till the snow should have molted. It seems, however, that it has been more against the Turks than the Russians, for tho latter have been making rapid advances since tho winter set in, whilst the former have been somewhat slow in their movements. Since the fall of Kars, in the Asiatic portion of Turkey, tho tables have turned decidedly in favor of the invaders, and now, we find that another of the Turkish stronghold on the Danube side—Plevna—has fallen into the hands of her enemy. An epidemic having broken out in Plevna, ami the supply of fuel and fodder having run short, Osman Pasha thought it advisable to attempt to force Ills way through the Russian lines, hut his plans wore made known to the Russians, by one of the spies, three days before the attempt was made, consequently they were prepared for him, and as soon as he left Plevna, the Russians occupied it. When ho found that it was impossible for him to cut his way through the enemy's forces, ho endeavoured to return to the cover of Plevna, hut was met in rear and flank by the fire of the Russians who had entered it as he loft it. Seeing that he could not escape in that direction he determined to fight, and fight he did most desperately, so We are told, for five hours, and at last surrendered his sword. This is undoubtedly a great victory in favor of the Russians, for independent of driving the Turks out of this stronghold, ono of tho bravest and best officers of the Turkish army has surrendered his life. Tho telegrams that wo have to hand inform us that Osman Pasha was slightly ■wounded, and another one Informs us f hat Ids body has arrived at Bucharest “cn route ” to Moscow, whore it is to bo interred. Although wo have nothing about his death, still tho inference is that he has died from the effect of hie wound received at the time ho tried to leave Plevna. Sophia, on tho Danubean, and Errcroum on the Asiatic portion of the Turkish dominion, appear to be ■the next places that are likely to fall into tho hands of tho Russians, for wo find that not only have the Russians and Servians effected n junction and arc udvanciug towards Sophia, hut the Turks arc preparing to evacuate it. whilst Er/crotim is closely

invested. If the object of Russia, ui the ]i»rt she has played in this war, were that of protecting Christianity, we think she has now taught the Turks a lesson, which they are not likely soon to forget, and she might, with honor to herself and justice to the cause of Christianity listen to terms of peace and not peisist in further bloodshed and persecution. We fear, however, that the cause of Christianity was only the ostensible reason-of the action she has taken, whilst a desire to add territory to her dominions, and get command of the Black Sea are the real objects in view. That the Emperor of Russia is not yet satisfied by a long way, is inferred by his remarks in reply to an address, via.; “ That much remained to be done, hut he hoped Russia’s mission will bo duly accomplished ”; but what that mission is, and how far she will bo allowed to proceed with it without other powers beiug dragged into contest with her has yet to be seen. At the present time it does not look at all unlikely but that a general European war will take place before the matter is settled. Turkey has asked the intercession of the British Government, to which request they have acceded, and Russia has refused the mediation. Austria has stated that it will only permit the Russians to epi)ch\de a l»eaee on the basis of the Treaty of Paris, and that she will join England as soon as she takes any decided steps. That the British Government, as Lord Carnarvon says, is determined to have a voice in the settlement of the Eastern Question, is patent from the fact that Parliament is to be called together on the 17th of January, and the Channel Fleet, and ships under repair have been put in commission, and arc ordered to be ready for sea by the Kith, the day before the meeting of Parliament. But as Russia appears to be disposed to listen to direct Turkish peace proposals, it is to be hoped that the matter will be settled between them without the intervention of other Powers, and thus save a further immense amount of bloodshed, and Russia, perhaps the laurels she has already won.