Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-06-07

population are Greek Christians. The
government of Turkey has greatly
oppressed the Christians. They are
situated along the Danube, close to
Russia, and Russia feels natural and
religious interest in their welfare. She
demanded that the prosecutions of
the Christians in those dependencies
should cease. The peace of those
countries, and in consequence the
peace of Europe being threatened, a
conference of commissioners of the
Christian nations of Europe,to arrange
for settlement, was held last Deem
Der. At this conference the Russian
representative asked only that guar
antees should be exactcd from the
Sultan of Turkey for justice to the
Christians. The powers agreed to
make this demand of Turkey. But
while these powers were preparing to
make the demand Turkey made a
new Constitution which she claimed
insured justice to the Christians. All
demands of the conference were there
fore rejected by the Sultan. as being
inconsistent with the independence of
the Porte. Russia then drew up a
protocol which was signed by the
other powers requiring Turkey to
amend its behavior towards the
Christians or it should be deemed
proper for the other powers to inter-
fere. The Sultan declined to give
his consent. All these efforts at an
understanding, however, failed and
the Car OF Russia on the 23d of
April, declared war His declaration
is well prepared paper. 1t was pub
lished in the HERALD April &c. It
closed by invoking the blessing of
God on his valiant armies and orders
ing them to cross the Turkish frontier.
This declaration was issued at Kish-
enev, a town on the Dniester river,
some fifty miles up from Odessa,
northwest of the Black Sea. Around
this place the Gar had collected an
army of near 100000 men, under the
command of the Grand Duke Nicho-
las. East of the Black Sea was an
other army more than 100000 strong,
principally at Tiflis in Georgia. The
latter army had the first pitched bat
tie. 1t made a pass at Kars and at
Erzeroum and struck for Trebizond
on the southeast of the Black Sea.
Reports of the result of the engage
ment at Kars were much exaggerated
but much blood was spilled Kars
was not taken by the Russians. 1t is
strongly fortified, in mountainous
district. The other places named on
the map near the line between Geor.
gia and Turkey are also fortified. If
the Russinn army could pass these
Notifications it is believed it could
march through Turkey to CONSTANT
nople and, with the help of the large
army which has marched from Kish-
enev through Roumania to the Dan
ube, would capture the Turkish Cap
itol. The armies cast of the Black
Sea occupy Turkish ground, and tho
in the fighting thus far the losses are
about equal the Russians appear to
be steadily gaining. West of the
Black Sea the Russian armies are
more surely advancing. The Turks
have the advantage in having navy
and have captured many vessels laden
with Russian stores. But on the Dam
ube they pass the towns where there
are Russian soldiers with great diff
Guilty. On the 18th of May their
largest monitor was sunk in attempt
inc to pass Ibrail and with it perish :
ed about 200 Turks. The Russian
soldiers are now at Bucharest, Ruts-
chuk, Giuergevo and kalafat prepare
tory to crossing the Danube. 1t is
said that the orders from the head of
the army are TO cross today, June :.
If the attempt is made the war just
now fairly begins, and this brief ac-
count will be help to those who are
now learning what it is all about and
the map will assist in an acquaintance
with future operations. The European
powers are interested in keeping
Rusaia within bounds-not allowing
her to acquire more territory. Turkey
has some trouble ut Constantinople
with her own subjects. Russia as
well as Turkey has not much money
to throw away in war. Having he,
clamps well fastened upon both the
east and west ends of Turkey, it may
be that Turkey will now yield to the
demands of the other European pow
ers when they,in tarn would demand
that Russia check the advance of heI
armies, in which events the day fixed
for the order TO enter the Turkish
frontier would be the day of the end
of the war.