River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-05-10
RUssIA's WAR WITH TURKEY.

authentic proof at Constantinople that Russia
Is not pursuing n selfish object but VIII be
satisfied with the amelioration ofthe condition
OF Christians in Turkey. After some victories
the Gar would therefore be inclined 10 yield
to mediation OF the powers. Berlin cor
respondent states that Germany insists that
the Russians now in Turkey be allowed TO re-
main there. Having undertaken their protec,
ton. Germany considers herself entitled
to make this demand, and a departure Of
the Prince Of Reuss threaten 10 be delayed
in consequence Of this new controversy
The Vienna correspondent OF The Lonaon
Times telcgraphs as follows: AS things look
al present the British government viii posi-
bly be the only one 20 return a regular official
answer 10 Russia's representation that she Is
acting IN the interest and according 10 The
wishes Of Europe. The British answer may
possibly indicate the limits within which Eng
land would not consider her interests threa-
tened and would therefore remain neutral.
The result Of this seems to be tnai for the mo-
ment at least there is an end 10 any
thing like concert or even common
ground Of European policy, each power
being intent upon its own interest. y
The following account Of Hobart Pasha, the
Turkish commander, running the blockade at
Galatz in his steamer, the RettOima, Is given:
The Admiral left Psistchuk at night Ap-
preaching Galatz, which was guarded by tor
pedoes and heavy batteries commanding the
river the lights on the steamer were extln-
guished; but a rocket from the Roumanian
shore showed the steamer coming abreast OF
the batteries Heavy guns began TO fire, but
the RettOima was run so clOse In shore that
the gunners were unable 10 depfess their
pieces sufficiently for the shots to take effect.
The Admiral only fired one shot, anc the Ret
toima passed to the Black Sea safely.
A Vienna correspondent confirms the news re-
ceived from ErZewoum that on both the 18th
and 3Oth Of April battles were fought before
Kars with strong attachments OF Russians,
but the result is yetunknown. Pera special
reports tina. tue Bey of Iunis offered the Sultan
5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry, provided the
Porte paws part the expense Of transportation.
The Porte reserves the right of serching
suspected vessels both on the coast and AT
sea Special from Bucharest reports that
the Turks captured the Roumanian war
vessls Fulgerul and st. Fan0almore. A dis
patch reports that dsgraeeful outrages were
perpetrated on the lows at Guirgeyo. Corpses
Of the murdered lie unburied in the street.
"A message from Vienna gives the fol-
lowing account Of the battle of Kars: The
centre of the Russian army 1000 strong, under
Melikof, attacked Mukhtar Pasha tive miles
from Kars on April 10Th. The Turks fought
desperately. The Russians supported by pow
erful artillery, succeeded in dislodging them
from their positions. Mukhtar called out all
his reserves and attempted, on the 3Oth, TO re-
cover the lost ground with 10000 men, but was
defeated and driven back under the guns of
Kars. The Russian losses are considerable,
and those OF the Turks enormous. The Paris
Pdtrie publishes the text of the khedlye's
speech TO the Egyptian notables. The khe-
dive saws: Notwithstanding the Porte's de
sire for peace, Russia has declared war. 1t Is
important that Egypt should send troops to
Turkey The notables have been cOnyoked so
that the Minister Of War may know the
strength Of the contingent. The estimates do
not admit Of our furnishing the fun number
required, and il is necessary TO resort 10 exeep-
tional resources" The Turkish comm ander
on the Danube has been empowered by the
Porte TO close the river TO all navigation, TO re-
tain, on requisition, neutral vessels, subject TO
indemnification, or TO order them TO repair 10
or to leave certain ports under penalty Oh total
confiscation, or adopt any measures rendered
necessary by military exigencies. Cable
dispatches say that the Russian army crossed
the Caucasian frontier at three different
points. The corps under General Oklobieco,
a Georgian by birth, encountered body OF
Turkish troops and took possession of their
strongly fortified camp. Russian loss 80
killed. and a captain of battery wounded.
The Turkish posts on the Asiatic frontier
mostly surrendered without blow. The Rus
slams find the population in Asia everywhere
very friendly.
The battle of Kars seems to have been
an insignificant engagement with field artil-
lerv i'm which the Russian loss was one killed
and five wounded. The Russians also cap
tured 100 Turkish prisoners. The Roumanlans
are making extraordinary preparations. The
militia has been called out; 1t musters thirty
four inf lntry and twelve cavalry batalhons.
Even heads of families are obliged to serve.
The damage done TO 1brail by the Turkish
bombardment was unimportant; nobody wa
killed. Only one Turkish monitor appeared,
and had only fired twice when II was set on
fire by the Russian batteries and compelled to
withdraw The Egyptians are neither willing
to fight or paw a special tax for the support OF
the troops promised Turkey. The Turkish
official journal states that no important battle
has been fought in Armenia The Russian
vanguard has only made an appearance at
Batoum The Roumanians have taken milf
tary possession Of Kalafat; the occupying
force numbers 5000 men, with twenty -four
Krupp guns They will fortify and defend
the position against any attempt the Turks
may make to occupy 1t:
The Porte has notified the representa-
tjyes of the powers that it has declared a
blockade of the whole of the Russian coast of
the Black Sea. delay ofthree days would be
granted vessels wishing to enter, and five days
to those intending to leave. Letters from st.
Petersburg report that the mobilization OF the
Russian army will not become general; three
divisions of the ST. Petersburg corps have been
placed ON a war footing. The first and second
divisions of infantry of the guard are being
modified. These troops will for the present
remain rs a reserve in their garrison quarters.
At Cairo the committee of the Assembly OF
nOtaDleS having QcclQeu upon lnc lHlpOolIiOH
of an extraordinary war tax of 44SOOOO the
Khedive has telegraphed to Constantinople
that the Egyptian contingent now IN Turkey,
which numbers 1900 men, Will be raised 10
1900 men, The remainder of the Egyptian
contingent will be kept in Egypt for the pro-
lection of the SueZ canal The Montenegrins
hold Duga Pass, blockading Gorausko and
Nicsics Sulaiman Pasha, with 2O,OOO men, is
advancing to relieve Gorausko. Severe fight
ing is expected. II is stated that the Turks
have persuaded 10000 south Albanians to take
arms on condition of Montenegro being given
up to plumber. All the northern Albanian
clans favor the Montenegrins.
Turkish monitors have bombarded
REM, Ibrail, and OltenitZa. All of the Russian
ministers have been instructed to declare that
Russia does not seek conquest, but only desires
to compel Turkey to accept measures neces-
sary to insure internal peace. There are serious
discussions in England on the war question.
The Cabinet is divided and Thomas Carlyle
has written a letter to the London Times de-
claring that Disraeli intends to involve Eng
land in war.
Lord Derby has written a note to the
British Ambassador at st. Petersburg strongly
condemning Russia's course in declaring war.
The news OF the Russian defeat at Batoum and
the capture of three of their guns has been
confirmed. Everything tends TO show, how
ever, that the Russians are very strong in
Asia and are likely to advance quickly. The
Russian forces have invested Kars and severe
battle is imminent. The fall of Kars was re-
ported on the eth, but the report was prema-
lure The Czars in an address at Moscow on
the 5th, said: Six weeks ago / expressed
here the hope of a peaceful solution of the
Eastern question. / wished to spare to the
utmost the precious blood of my subjects, but
my efforts have been in vain. My Kischeneff
manifesto announced to the Empire that the
moment foresaw had arrived. To-day / am
happy to be able to thank my people for that
patriotism which has been proved by deeds
that their readiness to undergo sacrifices ex-
eeeds our expectations. May God assist us to
fulfill our task, and bless our troops who are
about to engage in combat for faith Emperor
and fatherland."