Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-01
The Eastern War.

An Il zeroum correspondent 10 letter from
that place, dated November 9, after tho re-
pulse # the Russian assault % Fort Azizie,
says 1t IS impossible that Erzeroum can hold
out for any time. Our supplies are soauty, ADD
the garrison is small. The enemy possesses
thrice as macy battalions in front as We. Whcn
the road. which We hear they are making by
way Of Partak and Tsitawakb, over the Devi
Dagh range, is completed, they will be able to
uvcst US entirely, which will prevent reinforce.
mcus or supplies reaching from the outside.
That accomplished o steady bombardment will
doubtless commence and anticipate the cap.
turc or capitulation of the town before this day
month.
On the other hand letter from Etzeroum.
dated November 20. states that reintorcemeOts
o)ntinc 10 arrive, and that Moukhtar Pasha is
quite confident of bis ability to hold Ere.
rOum.
Reouf Pache has arrived at Adrianope.
where he is organizing camp OF fifty thousand
men.
General lguateff is expected to arrive at Bu
obarcst to- day. The Grand Duke Alexis has
arrived already there, en- route to the Russian
general headquarters.
Rome dispatch says Since the 22d ult.,
the Pope's egs have been swollen to an unusual
degree and tho discharge is so copious as to
cause uneasiness Yesterday he received the
officers of the Palatine guard and obatted and
ioked with great vivacty. 1t is now believed
certain that the Consistory will meet 10 the Pom.
tiff bed room.
LONDON, Dcc l.-Ths city was visited by
the heaviest fox Of the season TO day. At 10 03
o o'clock this morning it WAS dark as midnight,
but the darkness only lasted short time.
The British Government has contracted With
the owners of the Bell telephone for its use as
part OF the British telegraphio system.
a dispatch from Berlin says the German Tel
egraph Department are organizing telephone
communication for distances not exceeding SO
miles.
LONDON. Dec. l.-Between two and three
thousand cotton operatives are 90 a strike ut
MossIey. The employers threaten general
lockout.
WHAT Is THE BALsA?" -That was, no
doubt, a question in the minds of many who
read Eosign Lucien Youog's graphic descrip
ton of the wreck Of the Huron and of bis own
escape on ''the Balsa" The latter is a raft or
fOat, aud on tho Pacific coast of South Aueri.
ca, whence the name is derived. it is made OF
bags, two Of which are fastened together at the
ctuaIiSt SuIi ouu lOl III uO0g upOu Uplou q
board is laid crossways On this board the 90.
cupaut of the Balsa sits, with legs dangling 10
the water, and, by means Of o paddle, guides
the buoyant raft through the surf The Balsa
is much used by Peruvian women, who 20 out
to vessels at anchor off shore to sell provisions,
fruits and wbskey to the sailors AS they sit
on the cross board, with the Inflated bags
spread out like two wings from their point of
Junction, near which the board is placed, one
end of the Balsa 10 elevated high above the
water, and it is only necessary to turn this end
to shore as the Basa approaches the breakers
to ensure safe passage through them. The
Balsa of the Huron was probably an r.6lled
ludia rubber float, sufficiently like its South
American prototype to bear the family Dame.
1t saved the lives of two men, and, under more
favorable circumstances, might have carried
lioe ashore, and been instrumental in saving
the lives of others.
Travel has been resumed Oh all the railroads
10 the State.