The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-06-16
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Eastern War.

dications that serious work will commence
soon The strict enforcement of martial law
in Roumania, the rigid exclusion of all news
paper correspondents, and the marshaling OF
troops towards the Danube give plausiblity
to the statement that an attempt to cross that
stream in force Will not be delayed beyond
another week The river had fallen consid-
erably few days ago, but new rains on We'd
nesGay had again swelled it beyond its banks
The Car is said to have ordered new levy
of 2lS,001 men.
The Turks met Slight success on the Eth
in tie destruction OF half dozen of Russian
torpedo boats at the Sulina mouth of the
Danube.
Hobart Pasha, the commander Of the Turk
ish feet, has been ordered and is getting ready
to lombard Odessa.
The inactivity in Europe is offset by more
stirring events in Asia. In the first place,
some important strategic movements are
mentioned It is stated on the one hand that
the Russians have gained signal advantage
by eitectIng communication between their
left wing and center, thereby gaining control
of important mountain passes. On the other
hand, II is SAID the Russians have evacuated
Olu and Penak, and have Withdrawn from
around Erzeroum and returned to the siege
of Kars, and are pushing the siege at Ba-
toum, where the Turks are in great need of
indicate that the Russians are afraid to ven.
ture too far into the interior with those lnl-
portant tortresses in their rear. Then the
Turks have entered the Russian district OF
tAkaltsik and threaten to cut of the Russian
communications with Arabian. These move
ments have resulted i'll severe fighting around
kars, in reference 10 which we have the fol.
lowing accounts. We copy manly from
Chicago Times special CT yesterday morning;
The battle was begun on Saturday last by
determined attack of the Russians. The
conflict was renewed at daylight on Sunday,
the Russians having effected a Judgement in
one of the outer earthworks on the previous
night On Tuesday the Turks began the bat
tie, assuming the offensive by making the
most desperate sortes. This resulted in the
dislodgement of the Russians who had been
inefIiciently supported. The Turks succeed
ed IN surprising the Russians by IA flank
movement, and the slaughter that followed
was very great The Russians asked no quar-
ter and the Turks offered none. The last &C
ton OF the Russian gunners was to spike the
few Turkish field pieces which they had cap
tured in the redoubt This was after it be-
came hand.to.hand struggle, and the guns
were ofno further service. Retreat had mean.
while become utterly impossible. AS re-
VI
near the guns he had served.
The Turks again assumed the offensive,
and, gaining courage and desperation with
with success, sailed out 10 attack the main
body of the Russians in the open gTuuhd
Meanwhile reintorcements were hurryinc &c,
the aid OF the Russians from the direction OF
Pennek, Arabian, Gumry, Kagishman, Sou.
rcamiche, ana Sogsanli. The sorties Of the.
Turks were barren in result, and only served
to tire out the men, while the Russians re-
pulsed every attack with apparent ease. Lat.
CT AMI fuller details are expected moment
arily,
The war in Montenegro continues to be
pushed with considerable energy, and though
the Turks have suffered some losses, they ap.
pear to have gained the important advan@
tage of pushing through the Duga pass anG
relieving Nlcsics The impression is that
Montenegro must yield to the superior tofce
of the Turks and Aust ia has been sounded
to say whether she Will allow Moatenegro to
be crushed.
The si.dation at Constantinople continues
unsettled. The porte has concluded not at
present to enforce the proposed consumption.
of Christians, "to fight against their brethren
In a holy Moslem war;" as Mr.. Layard puts
it. The first reverse in Asia, 1t IS believed,
will be the signal for revolution in Cons!an-
tinople, followed by overtures of peace-on
most any terms.