The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-08-04
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Turko-Russian War.

portant operations and fierce engagements be
tween the Russians under Gen kruedener and
the Turks under Osman Pasha. That the
Russians were alarmed is shown by the fact
that they had withdrawn large forces from
Nikopolis to Plcvna, occupying Nikopolis
with Roumanians- Reiniorcements for Plevna
were also withdrawn from the army of the
czarowiZ besicging Rutschuk As early a.
Thursday of last week heavy fighting was re
ported in progress at Plevna, and the Rus.
slams claimed the advantage as did also the
Turks. The fighting was renewed on Satur.
day, continued on Sunday and on Monday Os.
man pasha finally reports great victory, which
is partly confirmed by dispatches from Buch-
arrest and st. Petersburg. Osman claims that
the Russians were completely routed with
loss of 5000 killed and $4,000 wounded, while
thcTurkish loss was comparatively small, as
they fought on the defensive.
The news Is said to have created a wild pan
&c at SiStova where it was reported that the
Turks were advancing that way, and the peo-
pie rushed en- masse across the Simnitza fal.
lowed by Cossacks, who fled beyond. The Car
implOred Prince Charles to send the Rouman-
ian army at once across the Danube, and
pushed forward every available man to the
aid of Gen. Kruedener
This defeat thcatens indeed to be very Sc
rious TO the Russians. Occurring simultaneously
with reports Of Russian reverses at Yeni-
Saghra in Roumilia, it looks us if Russia had
all she could do to hold her position north of the
Balkans, and that her $4,000 men South ofthat
barrier were really in danger of getting en-
trapped,
In comparison with this reverse the slight
Victory claimed by the Russians, on Sunday,
over Eyoub pasha at Rutschuk, and another
over a small Turkish force at Rasgrad, sinks
into insigniicance.
The reports from Asia Minor indicate that
the Russians, after months rest, are about
to renew their advance towards the interior, Il
Russian division having started from Arda.
han towards Erzcroum.
The apprehensions of England becoming
involved in the eastern war are being dissi-
pated Her position is now defined to be OK.
'actly that of Austria, with which, indeed she
has an understanding and is acting in concert
England sends her troops to Malta and fleet
to Besika Bay, and Austria has authorized the
mobilization Of her army-thc object in both
cases being the same,-to be able, as armed
Incutrals, when peace negotiations are opened,
to take hand in" and support their demand
by Il suitable display of force
There are mutual accusations 10y the Turks
and Russians, in Bulgaria, OF brutal outrages
on the deienceless inhabitants. Following
are few specimens;
A Russian dispatch says
Three thousand Bulgariahs have just arrived
| from Kustendje hefstAfved and naked. Many
| are horribly wotndcd and have marched three
days without food to escape the Circassians or
Bashi Bazouks
The following are Turkish displtchcs.
[ Il Russian division, the nth, entered the
| ylllageS OF hcstan and Belovafy uIsaimcd
Mussulmans, and distributed thir arms among
Bulgarians; then massacred men, women and
children, and burned their dwellings.
OF oni hundred and fifty Bulgarian prison
crs recently brought TO Constantinople, fifteen
were Immediately shot.
The English consul at Slivno, inlormes
Minister Layard, under date of July IA,
| that the Russians stir up the Bulgarians and
arm them, and they tear out the eyes of the
Musselmans whom they killed at Sistova and
fill the sockets with bread