The Morning herald., 1877-06-16
FEELING OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY.
THE FIGHTING AROUND KARS.
the EASTERN WAR.

the EASTERN WAR.
INTENSE FEELING OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY
LONDON, June 15.-The special cores
pondent of the News at Bucharest tele-
graphs as follows: "In the Russian army
any foreshadowing of peace would fail with
thrill of passionate disgust that would
etrain the bands of discipline TO the utmost.
There can be no question that the army
regards Constantinopls as the only goal that
can content 1t. .t.
THE CzAR's RETURN,
I understand that it is settled that the
Gear will return to Russia Immediately after
he has Witnessed and participated in the
passage of the Danube. There are now
comparatively few Russian officers in Buch-
charest, their duties calling them else
where"
RUSSIAN PoNTooNs.
A special despatch from Vienna to the
News says: "Letters from special cores
pondents state that the Russians have col.
lected only sufficient pontoon material for
two or three crossings"
GoRTsoHAKoFF's REPLY
The special correspondent of the News at
the Russian headquarters processes 10 give
further details of Prince Gortschokotr's
reply to Earl Derby, as follows: eff the
Turks make peace directly, Russia crosses
the Balkans, Russia will be ready to ac-
cord peace, but otherwise she would have
no alternative but to conquer and dictate
peace to the Porte. II England wishes to
prevent the Russians from entering Con-
stantiuop'e, she has only to exert her in.
fuence upon the Turks in order to induce
them to yield Immediately the Balkans are
passed."
TIE FIGHTING AROUND KARs.
There has evidently been some severe
fighting around Kars, but it is impossible
to divine the result, as both sides, in the
customary style, claim the victory. The
Russian account-which is probably nearer
the truth than the Turkish version-is to
tho effect that the Turks are attempting to
form counter approaches, and are constantly
making sorties. The Russian batteries, 1t
ID claimed, have been very successful in
frustrating all these attempts, and sortie
was repulsed on Wednesday with heavy loss
to the Turks, only seven Russians being
wounded.
The Veil Pasha Tabia, 70 the north west
Of the town, Is formidable redoubt, with
accommodations for 5000 men. 1t was re-
built by the English during the last war,
and since then has been known as Fort
Lake. II occupies the most commando ng
position in the immense entrenched camp
which surrounds Kars, and forms, with the
ueighboripg works, the key to the situation.
A precipitous rocky ridge overhangs the
Town, the Karadagh forming the eastern
mud, and the Tshmasp, kind Of round hill
he western end. The heights of Tahmasp
(Which figure in the kilograms as Port Tah-
maz) are strongly fortified, and their heavy
guns command Fort Lake, Cor Veil Pasha)
| 300 yards to the west; while strong works |
crown the Karadagh. The Turks believe
he latter position to be impregneble to as
Iault, but 1t could Offer little resistance to
'apid movement over the hills, by which
he town could be turned. The three forti-
mentioned form small part only
# the defenses Of the town, but they are
he only ones which are concerned in the
movements reported to-day.
According to the Turkish reports, the
russians have msssed all their available
orces around Kars, and last week made
everal unsuccessful attempts to storm the
on the Karadagh and the
Ieighths of Tahmssp. According to Mukh-
ar Pasha's reports; the Russians made
hree fruitless assaults on these two OUT
vorks on Friday last, the Sth inst, and on
'aturday they made desperate effort to
AXE possession of some Of the heights
lamed above. when the garrison made q
ortie in force, with field artillery, and re-
'ulsed the Russians with great loss. Dss-
'atches tothe London Daily Telegraph,
'abid pro Turkish journal, state that the
suasian assaults were repeated on Sunday
nd Monday, the assailants being each time
epulsed with great slaughter, We have
lad no account whatever Of these alleged
assaults from Russian sources.