The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-05-25
NEWS OF THE WEEK



trate against the formation of Polish legions,
such as would include Polish subjects of those
nationa
The capture of Sookgoom-Ksle, and the rising
Of the Circassians, who massacred the garrison
and burned the town, is officially announced.
The Sultan has determined on the admission
of Christians in the Turkish army.
Heavy rains and bad roads seriously impede
the operations Of the Russians on the Danube.
The Russian movement of concentration upon
Kars from Poti, Akhaltzik, Alexandropol and
Irwan has come to standstill a few marches
from the frontier, partly from the necessity of
establishing stores for victualing the troops on
Turkish soil, and partly by the Russian Gener-
alsrecognizing the change effected in the con-
dition Of warfare by the universal adoption of
the needle-gun. Attacks in massed columns
are out Of the question.
The cable reports that division of Circassian
Cossacks, intended to head the Russian army Of
invasion, is pushing forward to the Danube
The tribe are as savage as Sioux, and in cover
ing the advance of the army, are expected to
make mince-meat of the Bashi-Bazouks.
A newspaper correspondent who was ex-
PEELED from the Russian army on the Danube
and who arrived in London few days ago, re-
ports that at Galatz the Russians had projected
prodigious lines Of fortiications behind which
were assembled thirty brigades Of infantry, ag-
gregating 175,000 men; fifteen of cavalry and
a great mass of artillery. Hence southwest
ward to Oltenitza the army forms a continuous
front in echelon, embracing a total Of 100000
men. To the westward of this. at distances
from one TO three miles from the Danube a
thinner line is carried to Widin, the extreme
Russian right. Reinforcements were pouring
in, mainly on the left and center.
From Turkish sources we have a report that
an unsuccessful attempt has been made by the
Russians to lombard Kars also that Russian
attack on the fortified town Of Abraham. in
Asia Minor, has been bravely repulsed by the
Turks.
Especial correspondent of the Chicago Times,
who has traversed the Russian line on the
Danube from Widin, telegraphs that "the
army is not in condition to move for some time.
Grave miscalculations were made as to the force
required and munitions and provisions needed.
The railways are fatally insufficient. More than
500, 900 men are to be fed, and the country has
no supplies. Hence the Russian advance, which
threatened to be like a thunderbolt, is paralyzed
for food, while unreasonable masses of ammu-
milton line the advance posts
Civilians have been ordered TO leave Sevasto-
pol, the Turkish squadron being expected to
lombard the place.
The Russian army on the Danube is receiving
large reinforcements.
Official advices by way of st. Petersburg con-
firm the report that the town of Sukum Kaleh,
on the Black sea, north of Pot and Batoum.
has been bombarded by the Turks, evacuated
by the Russians, and burned.
The advance Of the right wing of the Russian
army into Little Wallachia has caused some Bit
terness of feeling in Austria and Hungary, the
movement being variously interpreted as a
menace of the Transylvanian frontier, and
counter demonstration against Austria's avowed
purpose to occupy Servia in the event Of
breach Of the peace by Prince Milan.
A Constantinople dispatch says: 1.-THE
Sheik-ul-Islam has proclaimed holy war against
Russia
The Russians have captured the fortified
town Of Arabian, in Asiatc Turkey. 1t appears
to have been feebly defended. From its posi-
ton in the line of the Turkish defenses extend
ing from Erzeroum through Kars to Batoum,
the captured town will probably prove Of great
strategic value to the invaders.
The Gar has taken up his headquarters at
Bucharest, and will, il is announced, remain
with the army until the end of the war.
The Russians claim to have captured at Ar
dahan Turkish Pasha and eighty-two can
non.
A Vienna dispatch intimates that negotia-
tons are pending for an alliance between Ger
many, Austria and England. There is prob
ably no truth in it.
The war is being waged with extreme bitter
ness and ferocity in Asia Minor. Neither side
gives nor seems to expect quarter. The nom
combatants suffer alike, and the massacring Of
women and children is fifty preceded by the
bombardment and burning of their homes.
Roumania's independence has been formally
proclaimed by the Senate at Bucharest, and war
has been declared against Turkey.
The cable furnishes full accounts Of the
second assault Of the Russians on Batoum, and |
their disastrous repulse by the Turks. The |
latter, one account states, "were melted to
battle by impressive religious ceremonies.
The gunners were given arrack and powder to
drink, and met the Russian charges with the
ferocity of mad men. Pursuing their historic
tactics, the Cossacks swarmed to the charge
a dozen times, bent on bearing the Turks down
by dint of numbers. Three times the out
works we're scaled and the intrenchments
fairly won, when the infatuated Turks, reused
by religious appeals. rallied and drove their
enemy back. The Russians captured and
turned the artillery upon the Turks, and they
broke in panic and fed headlong from the
defenses. AT this moment great mob of
Turkish women and priests came to the rescne
with the green flag, shouting the Mussulman's |
war cry. The needle-guns falling from the 4
hands OF the slain were seized by the new-com- [
ers, and the Russian advance, shattered and f,
repulsed, withdrew, and the onslaught ended I
in disastrous defeat. Between 4. 600 and 900 /
Russians were left dead and wounded in the /
rugged hills between Batoum and the Russian q
line, and the roadways and woods were strewn q