, 1877-11-21
GENERAL NEWS.

mad fallen, and the latter confirming it,
We have been assuming that Erzeroum was
in the hands of the Russians, and that the
Turkish cause in Asia had suffered accord
ingly. kilograms of the 10th instant, how
ever, prove that Erzeroum has never been
taken by the Russians at all, and is still
being stoutly defended by the Turks.
This brings us back to the 9TH il slant
again. on which date we We're advised that
Mukhtar Pasha had sustained a severe
defeat and been driven back to
D~eveboyun. Ever since the great VIC
tory of the Russians over Mukhtar Pasha
on the 18th ultimo in the neighbour
hood of Kars, he has been falling back
slowly along the road to Erzsroum. which
London papers inform US had been pre-
pared for such an emergency. The defeat
sustained by the Tnrks on the IT. instant
must evidently have resulted from a col
i>ion of the forces, between Erzefoum aud
OH, along which road, the Russians, were
said 10 be advancing from Arabian on
the 9Th instant. On the I5 h We find
that the Russians still driving back
Mukhta Pasha's Army, have met with a
severe repuIse, after a prolonged and deter
mined resistance by The Turks; the engage
ment having takeu place within 40 miles
of Erzeronm.
How long the Turks will be able to
k ep the Russians at bay outside Ezaroum,
lemsins 10 be seen, but Ia any case the
position OF Mukhtar Pasha il, evidently,
uot SO hopeless as we were led to suppose.
Kars still besieged by the Russians. and
tile road to Ezeloum still stoutly defend.
ed by the Turks. is the summary Of The
present state of affairs in Asia.
From Europe we learn on the 9Th inst.
from Turkish sources, (n direct contradict
lion to Russiln rev Of the 6th) that
Osman Pasha IS amply provisional aud
his rosi ion at Plevna considered safe. On
The Sth we fad that tho Russians
occupied Rnhova ia town on the
DanubD thus cutting off OSman
Pasha's chance of retreat along the
road TO Widlin. This side, to the
North West Of Plrvua is the w. akest point
Of the Russian environment, and therefore
the most likely road through which Osman
'Pasha would endeavpur to force his way
out, should he be reduced to that necessity.
General Todieben who Is now comman-
OthR tHO huSSlhI IOIOGo SOutu"chsI vi
Pl, vna, is pursuing very different tactics
f. from those of his predecessors, aud by adj
. vancing under cover Of earthwotks has
reduced the distance between his lines
aud The walls of Plevna:
Whatever may be the present prospects
of Osman Pasha in Plevna, he evidently
scouts the idea of surrender.
Mehemet Ali still guarding the Sophia
Road, is said to be also keeping an eye on
the movements Of Servia, and waiting for
a favorable opportunity Of advancing to-
wards Orchanie. Many theories are pro-
pounded to account for Suleiman Pa>ha
hayiog superseded Mehemet Ali. Some
maintain the Porte feared, that be would
proye a second Abdul Kerim and succomb
to the temptation of Russian bribery.
Others hold that Mehemet's views of the
present campaign, and the necessity for
continuing it, did not tally with those en-
tertained at Head Quarters. The most
probable solution of the matter, is, that he
owes his recall to the influence of a strong
party at Constantinople, the adherents of
which are, what might be styled Conser-
! NATIVES, whose great jealousy of foreigners
il we'll known, and who would not hesitate
70 urge the dismissal of q foreign general,