The Ottawa free trader., 1877-04-28
FOREIGN NEWS.


Tuesday by the publication of Russia's form.
al declaration Of war. 1t is in the shape of a
manifesto from the Gar, in which he recltes
that after protracted efforts to secure the CO.
operation Of Europe IN an effort to protect
the christians under Turkish domination,
Russia finds herself compelled to redeem her
pledge to proceed single.handed to realize
the wishes of Europe as Jointly embodied by
all the leading powers in the protocol, which
Turkey has rejected. lie therefore invokes
the blessing of the God of battles upon the
success Of his armies, and bids his leglons 10
90 forth to do or die.
The declaration is supplemented by cir
cular from Gartschakof, repeating substan-
TALLY the Cars reasons for going to war, and
instructlng the Russian representatives
abroad 10 declare to the powers that Russia,
although compelled by the course of events
to take urgent measures, only intends to OBJ
tain guarantees for thorough compliance with
the demands Of the great powers resolved up.
on in various conferences for the improve
ment of the condition Of the Christians. There
is, however, in neither document any formal
disavowal on the part Of Russia of a desire
for ultimate territorial aggrandizement.
The Russian declaration was received at
Constaninople on the 25th, and Safvet Pasha,
in reply, sends lolg circular to the great
powers, protesting against the declaration of
war, and pointing out the efforts Of Turkey
to improve the position of the Christians and
satisfy the demands of the powers. Turkey
having thus given no cause to provoke war,
receives the declaration of Russia with sur
prise, and appeals to the treaty Of Paris and
the mediation of the guaranteeing powers
who took part in that treaty, 1t IS very well
understood, however, that the said powers
have decided for the present at least to pay
no attention to Turkeys appeal, and will let
the war go on.
Meantime all interest is concentrated on
the movements of the opposing armies. Rus
sia, after notifying Roumania that as in her
advance to the Danube she must necessarily
cross Roumanian territory, she did so only
from necessity and with no hostile purpose,
aud therefore expected Roumania at the most
to remain neutral. Turkey, on the other
hand, demanded of RoSmania to occupy the
Notifications of Bucharest and Kalafat, and
to assume a position generally Of hostility toI
the Russians. This RoumanIa refuses to do,
ana for the present affects to stand neutral,
but confessedly with friendly feeling towards
Russia. Indeed there seems to be little room
for doubt, from the latest advices, that not
only ROumania, but also Servia and Monte
negro, will before long be found arrayed on
the side Of Russia.
On the 23d the Russian armies commenced
breaking camp at ElschenciI and moving
across the Pruth, and up to Thursday at least
100000 were in Roumanla marching towards
the Danube
Cn the other side, Turkey Is pushing large
armies through Bulgaria IN the same dircc.
ton, as well as sending gunboats and other
river craft up the Danube. The
first engagement VIII probably occur not far
Galatz, though the roads are very heavy on
both sides, and it may take week or two be.
tore the opposing forces come into actual
While these movements are going on IN Eu-
rope, the hostile armies are also active on the
borders in Asia, and On Thursday a report at
sald there had been an
engagement near Bltoum, on the eastern
extremity of the Black Sea- in which the Rus.
slams were driven back. First blood for
Turkey