The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-05-12
Foreign Affairs.

II was reported by a dispatch FROM Con
stAntinople on Saturday, the 9th, that there
had been a great Russian victory near kars.
| Fifteen thousand prisoners are said to have
beea taken. Kars is invested by 90, 900 Rus.
slams, and the Second Russian corps is in full
march upon Erzeroum.
Little progress has been made in the war
between Russia aud Turkey, both powers
having been engaged in concentrating their
armies and making preparations for the con
tllct. Several engagements have been repor-
ted in Asia Minor at the Eastern part OF the
/ Black Sea, but there has been no serious bat.
| tie. At last account the Russians we're in.
vesting Kars, near which there had been
some fighting.
Austria has made declaration of neutral.
! ity. The Ministers recognize the Empire s
interest iii the affairs Of European Turkey,
| but deem resort to warlike measures for
| their protection unnecessary, in view of the
attitude Of the other powers, aud the cordial
support the Government can command from
the representatives Of the people whenever
action becomes necessary.
The rapacity Of England has again NANTES.
ted itself in the absorption of the territory of
Trausvaal, small unoifending and defence.
less republic in Africa. On the 18th Of April
proclamation Of annexation was made, and
the British flag hoisted at Pretoria Presi.
dent Burgess has issued protest against the
annexation, but has at the same time coun-
seled peaceabe submission. Messrs. Jorri
son and Paul Kruger, two leading inhabitants,
will proceed to Europe and the United States
to protest against the annexation to Powers
who have recognized the Republic. A body
Of British troops have entered Transyaal
England has made herself the oppressor of
the weak and the despoiler of nations.
The course of the Russian Turkish War,
thus far, looks as if the most vigorous
of the invasions of Turkey is to be that
on the Asiatic side, and, as though the
threatening force on the Danube, which is
thought to be the principal movement, is more
IN the nature OF formidable diversion.
Certainly the Asiatic campaign is pressed with
most vigor, and shows the more steady aud
successful progress. The discussion in 1865,
which led in the first instance to the HOSTILE
ties which eliminated in the Crimean war,
began about the "Holy Places in Asiatc
Turkey; the motive which figures most prom
inently in the present war is connected with
religious expressions; and the upshot Of il all
may be such Russian successes in Asiatic
Turkey as may justify Russia in exacting the
release of those same "Holy Places from
MohammedRn rule.
Latest accounts from the war in the East
are barren of events Of special importance
There is continued activity along the line of
the Danube, and the Turkish monitors are
reported to be cruising along its entire lower
portion to ascertain about the situation Of
torpedoes aud to feel the Russian batteries.
A severe engagement has taken place between
detached parties of Cossacks and Bash Ba.
zouks on the right bank of the river, but with
out decided result. A Constantinoplc des.
patch reports that an attempt by the Russians
TO cross at REM was defeated by the Turkish
artillery. A telegram is reported to have
been received at Paris Thursday from Odessa
stating that the Russians had failed in their
attempt to force the Soghaulu Pass on the
line of thoir approach to Kars, and were
awaiting reniorcements. An Erzeroum des.
patch says that the Russian centre was await
ing near Kars, aud that there had been no
recent fighting.