The Portland daily press., 1877-07-17
ON THE DANUBE,
NicopoIis Taken Without N Struggle,


NEW YORK, July 16.-Kiernan's st. Peters,
burg dispatches say telegram has just been
received stating that Russians from Sistoya
have made an assault in force upon and captuI-
ed Nicopolis this morning.
BUCHAREST, July 16.-Russians, yesterday
occupied the heights commanding Ncopolis.
The Turks today abandoned the place and the
Russians occupied it.
CoNsTANTINoPLE. July 16-Oficial tele-
grams report that the Russians have establish
ed a military tribunal at Selvi, to try Mussul.
men accused of completely in the Bulgarian
massacres, and are executing men convicted on
Bulgarian authority.
Marching Upon the Balkans.
LONDON, July 16.-A telegram from Shumla
yesterday states that a Russian column is
marching upon the Balkans via Demer Rapu.
This can hardly be identical with the force re-
ported at Yen Saghra.
Concerning the latter telegram dated Con-
stantinople today says Is Ru,sian battalians,
led by Bulgarian guides, have passed the Ship
ka defile and arrived before Yeni Saghra The
Turkish troops are being concentrated to OPP
pose their advance. This account seems obvi-
ously erroneous for correspondent of the Tel
egraph reported from Kezoulik, near the mouth
of the Shipka, as late as July 14tb as follows:
| send by way of Adranople the latest int l.
ligence from this important point. Raouf
Pasha is here at the gateway of the hills on the
havn come close up and some have ventured to
make partial reconnaissance of the passes.
The Turks are preparing to hold every likely
detile with the utmost resolution. 1t would
not be advisable to state the number of troops
Raouf Pasha can already marshal for the de.
fences of the mountain passes, but they are
numerous now and will soon be heavily rein
forced. A large portion of the Ottoman i'm
perial guard is here or near at hand. Guns
have been placed in all commanding positions
l~,.., 49, ol All
and elsewhere the work OF fortifying gees for
ward with energy which will redeem whatever
hardness has hitherto been shown.
Now it is hardly credible that IS battaions
coming through the Shipka defle should elude
Raouf Pacha. and we hear nothing of his de-
feat or retreat 1t seems, therefore, the most
probable that force of Cossacks have made
their was across the mountains.
ST, PETERSBURG July 16.-It is officially an
nounced that an advance guard of the Russian
passed the Balkans on the evening of the 18th
inst Without firing shot. The greatest panic
exists among the Mohammedan civil population,
who are fleeing as fast as they can. To Satur-
day no engagement of any importance was
fought. The Russian advance is on the banks
of the River Lorn.
The Russians Have Crossed the Balkans
A Therapica despatch dated today says Off
cial kilograms direct from the .scene of action
distinctly contradict private kilograms announc-
ans, and that their advance guard was between
Adrianople and Yambolic Official kilograms
declare that only few scouts have crossed,
and they were easily driven back.
LONDON, July 16.-A telegram from Constan-
tinople confirms the report that the Russians,
who number fifteen noteighteen batteries, have
crossed the mountain through the Tivorditzska
pass. This passage is suppose to be fent to
withdraw the Turks from Schipka pass.
An Adrianople telegram while denying that
the Russians have occupied Eski, Sogram or
Kasanlik says they are wanting reinforeements
before advancing further. Some skirmishes &C.
CURED.
A St. Petersburg despatch says the large con-
tingent of the Russian army is marching on
Balkans. The news of the crossing the Bal
kans has evidently caused great excitement in
Constantinople.
The Grand Duke Defeated.
CoNsTANTINoPLE,, July 16.-An official des-
patch announces that Ely CUB Pasha has attack
ed the Russians under Grand Duke Nicholas,
north of Turnovan, and defeated them with
loss Of II 900, and the Grand DuKe has surren-
dered. Two Turkish monsters have destroyed
the bridge at Iristova. One monitor was subse-
quently sunk by torDedOes. The Porte official
ly declares that the Russians have burned alive
Inhabitants of lronis, near Tirnova, who had
taken refuge in mosque.
Raouf Pasha sends despatch formally con-
frming report that the Russians have been
beaten in the Tivordtz-Kapass. The advance
of the Russians was exa9oarations of the sts1
tion. master at Yeri Sogh, who was Influenced
by the general panic.
Not Confirmed.
posro, T,1u 1e- po,...,a ..
coD 0s,OM, ouiy iouseuteI teiegram ilom
,ha Gad m says .he report OF tne oeIeat OF
Soenotohos fo P PJe nct connImeo ny
contingent of 5000 troops have sailed for Con-
stantnople from Alexandria.