The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1877-07-10 00:00:00

THE WAR.

The RIORI4II rout, for such it practically is. in
Armenia apparently still continue.. The defeats
they have undergone appear to be of so serious a nature
that recovery must be a matter of much time, and
some critics Ray that a successful resumption of the
Asiatic campaign this year is out of the question.
How far inch a theory will be justified by the events
rd the future remains to be seen. But the collapse of
the invading army, even if it is only temporary, can-
not fail to have serioua effects. The causes of the
fiasco are not easy to make out A correspondent of
the Ala
.1, News explains it as follows :—On several
occasions the Kurdish auxiliaries went over to the
enemy in the midst of the battle at the first sign of
defeat. Secondly, the Russian troops comprise many
Mahomedans, who display little Real. Thirdly, the
commissariat system of the army is defective, and the
transport roads through the Caucasus for the time
very unsafe. Fourthly. the nature of the country has
shown that the division of the army was faulty.
Coming to the campaign in Europe, it is now stated
that there are 120,000 Russians on the Bulgarian side
of the Danube. It is still doubtful whether the
I Turks will make a serious stand north of the Balkans,
but if they do, it is anticipated that a great battle will
probably be fought on the Rustchuk and Shumla tins.

rrantra IMPULSES OF THZ RUSSIANS
The news from the Danube that the Rusiiians may
meditate • rapid march across the Balkans, Yid
Timor& and the Schipke Pass, with one strong
column, while another of equal, or with one greater,
strength, masks the Quadrilateral on the west side.
Its eastern side is already effectively threatened by
the Rnissian force in the Dobruslecha, so that Abdul
Kerim Pasha c mid not well detaeh any important
body of troops either from Varna or Shumla to resist a
Russian advance on Adrianople through the Schipkit
Pass. It is estimated that the invader ham already
thrown 120,000 men across the river at sintova, while
he has other 80,000 in reserve liAween Simintza and
Puma Magnrelli. This gives him a total available
force of 200,000 men to the west of the Quadrilateral.
It is said to be the Russian intention to operate with
this immense force in three distinct columns. The
strongest is to develop an attack against the Jantrs
line, with Rustchnk for its objective point ; another is
to advance on Nikopoli • the third will move forward
towards the Balkans. This disposition would seem to
indicate a desire on the part of the Russian commander
to prevent the Turks attacking the central column on
either flank. Another engagement is reported to have
occurred at Biela, and again the invader is alleged to
have suffered reveres As regards Tirriova the news is
conflicting. Some astcounteeffirm that the governor of
the place ham forsaken his post ; from other quarters
we learn that the Turks are preparing to offer strenuous
resistance to the Russian advance. In a short time
the defence will receive an accession of strength from
Montenegro, the Porte having at last determined
temporarily to cease hostilities in that State on account
of its urgent need of troops on the Danube. Part of
the force thus rendered available will, it is said, guard
the frontier of Greec,, but the greater number are to
proceed to Adeianople without loss of life.
In Asia Minor the tide of war still sets against the
invader. He has retired from the position he lately
tick up at Anlost, after a smart engagement, in
which the Turks were again victorious. l'his effectu-
ally relieves Kars, although the Russians still occupy
some positions on the eastern side of the fortress. A.
report comes to hand that Anlahan has been
evacuated. No intelligence has been received respecting
the present whereabouts of the demoralised column
under General Tereukasoff. When last heard of it
was endeavouring either to find a way acre,. the hills
to Kaghysman or to fall back upon Bayazid.
The occupation of the Montenegrin capital
by the Turkish army under Suleiman Pacha
was made without any resistance having been
offered to his advance, a proof that the
Montenegrins must be utterly disheartened and
disorganised. It is stated that the English, French,
and Anstrain consuls took part in the negotiations,
and that Austria is endeavouring to arrange term. of
peace. If Turkey be wise she will grant peace to the
Montenegrins upon the easiest possible terms. She
ham shown this troublesome little State that even when
engaged in a great war against so powerful an enemy
as Russia she can yet spare sufficient forces to crush
her relsell' vassal, and that even the most formid-
able passes cannot be heist by undisciplined
mountaineers against regular troop, when well led.
Thirty battalions of the army of Mnntenegrn have
reached Antivari, whence they will embark for an
unknown ii etination. This is possible, if the Turks
intend to follow up their success, and invade Russia in
the Trans-Caucasus, At any rate the arrival of these
10,000 men, and the rising which is sure to result from
the news of the Turkish victories spreading throngh
the Caucasus, would inake the position of the Ruasians,
to say the least, precarious.
The Roumanians have, it appears, attempted a
Passage of the Danube near Widdin. The attempt
was, fortunately f e- the troops who made it, frustrated
by the action f a battery of whose existence the
Rounmnians were imorant, becanse had they crossed
they would assure, ily have been destroyed by the
Turkish army at
The Russians appear to be making very slow
progress on the Danube.
Two hundred heavy guns have now arrived at
Erzeronm, and that the place in a position to with.
stand a regul Sr ssige. Thin, even (should the Russian
general receive large reinforcements, defeat the
l'urkish armies, and again advance, Erzeroum in safe
for this year. The Caine, although in a lesser degree,
in true of Kars. This place will, of course, be re-
victualled, and in the event of the Russians again
being, in a position to take the offensive and
recommence the seige at the end of the present month,
it should be able GI hold out until winter.

Till itt:sSIANN IN NUL° tRI.t.
The Russians are proceeding with their reorganise.
tin f Bulgaria. They have installed a Prince as
provisional g..vernor, with Tirnova as the seat .4 his
office, and have ordered elections to la held for a
Bulgarian Administrative Cornell. At Biela, the
Itusssans made a gallant advaina. but failed to win
the bridge, and were obliged to retire with great loss.
The IN,Nitinn of the Ittuisians in Bulgaria is regarded
an somewhat serious. Austria, like liermany, has
prohibited the export of horses, and it is reported that
the Czar's proclamation has caused much uneasiness
in that country.
Prince Milan has opened the Servian Parliament,
and rumours are again current that a declaration of
independence will follow.
In conseinence of their continued defeats the
Russians have raised the siege of Kars.