, 1877-07-21

every available man whom they could muster
Opposing the landing were ten Turkish battal-
ions and eighteen field cannon. Savage fight.
Jag took place on the banks and in a little time
the corpSss were thickly strewn there. Still
the Russians came on for every man killed,
ten were ready to take his place,
Owing to the terrible severity Of the BON.
bardment of Nicopolis ard Widdin, both towns
are in flames, and the Turkish stores in the
latter are in imminent danger Of destruction.
The destruction Of Widdin by fire will bring
matters to a crisis in tho garrison, even if it
is able to hold out against the Russian aud
Roumanian invaders.
The Russian position at Sist0va is of emirent
Stratsgicsl value because it gives its possess
sors the command cf the whole northern
Danube portion of Bulgaria, rendering easy
the circumventing of the chain of Turkish
f9rtressss which reach to tha Balkans. In
other words, the famous qUadrilateral, about
which so much has been said, can be converted
into four isolated fortresses. Of course, the
Russians do not expect to get past such a
strong fortress as Shumla without a desperate
fight.
The Gear issued the following proclamation
to the Bulgarians My troops have crossed
the Danube. To-day they enter your terrific
rs, where they have already seven times
fought for the ameliOration of the lot of the
Christian inhabitants Of Turkey. Russia still
bears the same love and Solicitude towards all
Christians in Turkey as when she secured the
Liberation of Servia and ROumania. l have
con6ded to my army the mission Of securing
the sacred rights of your nationality, which
you have acquired by centuries of suffering
and the blood of martyrs which has soaked
your soil. She is called by DEGREES of PrOvi.
dencs to conciliate and pacify all races and
denominations in those parts of Bulgaria in
habited by a mixed population. HencefOrth
the Russian armies will protect every Chris
tian against all violence. Not vengeance but
strict equity will guide our acts" The pro.
clamation promises also equal pr, lection to
Mussulmans, but impartial Justice upon known
pNrtioipators in atrocities. 1t urges the aban.
Comment of internal discussions and announces
that as fast as the Russians advance, Turkish
rule will be replaced by regular organizations
in which the native inhabitants will be SUM-
mOned to take part under the supreme direo-
ton Of Especial authorities, and Bulgarian legions
will be formed to serve as the nucleus of a
local armed force destined to maintain order
and security. The proclamation concludes -
Follow faithfully the instructions of the
Russian authorities. Therein lie your strength
and security. With humility l pray the Lord
to grant US victory over the enemies of Chris
tianity and to send down His blessing upon
our just cause"
ITALY.
Italy is making active preparations for a cri-
els in European affairs. Large purchases of
horses for cavalry and artillery use are be-
ing made, according to the Herald's Vienna
Correspondent, by the Italian government.
Other preparations on an extensive scale are
being carried on. All the Ambassadors have
returned to Rome.
Aspecial despatch from Alexandra, Egypt,
published 10 the second edition Of the NeOs,
says: The report recently published of the
conspiracy to blow up the Suez Canal was bas.
ed on authentic information, but the Khedivs
is taking effective measures to prevent such an
attempt being made on land, while a sea police
is being organized under command Of two. Eng
lish Oficers.-TAs B.lIetsn 81. ThomGs.