The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-05-17

by comparatively good and easy roads Bitls oc-
cuples somewhat stronger position, but can offer
no serious opposition. The force of the Turks in
TINS district Is unknown. If they have 20 900 or
10000 men they might make successful stand at
Sturt at the entrance of the pass through which
good road leads from Belts to Diarbekir.
VICTORY CLAIMED BY THE TURKS
An official Constantinople despatch saws that the
Russians, having attacked on Friday in great force
the position occupied by the vanguard Of the Turk
ISh auxiliary troops in the vicinity of Batoum an
engagement ensued lasting eight and a half hours
resulting Ill the complete route of the Russians
who lost 1900 men The Turkish loss was incon-
siderable.
Other dispatches state that the dearness and
scarcity of provisions at Erzeroum increase, and
the Russians find great difficulty in obtaining sup
plies Every day Bashi- Bazouk rihemen fire upon
the Russian outposts inficting considerable loss
All accounts agree that the Russians are preparing
LOT concentrated movement on ErZeroum The
Russians still seem to be feeling their way Pos
SlDly at the last moment some doubt may come
over them as to whether it would be advisable to
leave kars and Arabian in the rear. merely in
Nestng them with corps of observation, thus
weakening their field army too much. The coup
tie imam with field guns not having succeeded at
HAIRS they may now try to reduce Arabian. against
which, according to intelligence from Tldis in the
PreSse serious operations are now impending so
AS To have at least their rear in that direction pro
teeted. There must doubtless also be difficulties
OF transport IN that mountainous country: but,
whatever Is the cause DELAY can only be of ad-
vantage to the Turks if they use it for concen-
traling their forces III the right place, ard know
how 10 Use it afterwards. Meantime the Turks as
would appear by official Russian kilograms can
send out soldiers and horsemen and even guns to
form an ambuscade for Russian accommodating
parties. the fortress of kars from which they are
SAID to have come, cannot be closely invested.
If not very interesting military fact it certain
lI Is So from political point of view. that where
t.I l,t-, ~.
once established their own Administration
VICTORY CLAIMED BY THE RUSSIANS.
An official Russian despatch troll Titlis states
that after capturing Mukhastir the Russians on the
18th threw forward two columns against Khatzu-
BAN heights, skirting the river kintrsoi This
strong position was Stormed by the Russians with
loss of T. killed and As wounded The losses
were enormous. khatzubain heights are near
Batouln, and the Turks entrenched in their
positions there. The above is a Russian version
of the affair which the Turks claim as IL vie
tory.
MORE CONTRADICTORY REPORTS.
News has reached Constantinople that colnnlu-
meation between kars and Erzerouln has been re
established. The Government of Kars reports the
loss OF 30 killed i'll the engagement Of the 9Th inst
y detachment of Cossacks advanced to Baskkoy,
bu1 We're compelled to fall back to kaiishlnan.
The Russians have sent forward Accommodating
parties IN two directions from Soghaulc, probably
with an object of making flank attack upon the
Turkish camp at Bardez, but owing to the depth
of the snow We're unable to prosecute the plan
Turkish re-intorcements continue arriving on a
large scale. There is scarcity of provisions at
AleXAdropol and Eruan. TeIegraphic eommuni
ton with karS continues. The Russians endeav
ored 10 obtain information by tapping the wires
but We're immediately discovered by their ques
ttunS.
The inhabitants of Erzeroum are contributing
largely i'll money and provisions for the defence of
karS
\ HOT FIGHT AT BATOUM.
The Teegraphs special from Batoum. dated Fri
day, midnight, says that at about five o'clock in
The morning the Russian forces, largely augment
ed, advanced with batteries of field artillery and
made furious attack upon the Heights defending
Batoum on the land side, occupied BY Bish Ba
zouks and the Ottoman troops, entrenched and
opened terrible and well sustained fire of cannon
aud musketry. which literally moved the Russians
down i'll swaths. They fell by scores and hundreds
On the plain below the Turkish position During
the attempts TO make way against this force a body
Of Turks. horses and foot taking advantage of the
thick forests, broke forth upon the flank OF the
Russian column and effected great slaughter the
Moscoyltes being upon ground perfectly open and
having no chance but to fight or fly. In a short
time the spot which was the scene of this flank
movement, became covered with dead and dying
Russians.
But the enemy quickly brought up reinforce
mcntS and the battle renewed with much de
termination. For many hours the efforts OF the
assaants were desperately maintained but toward
midday their artillery fire gradually slackened, and
they al length withdrew after suffering consider
ably
An eye witness of this important engagement
tcStlties that the Ottoman soldiers behaved al
mlrably. They had however, during great part
of the action the advantage Of entertainments on
high ground and it is due to this fact no doubt
that their loss. as compared to that of the Rus
SLAMS, was insignificant.
MONDAYS TJRETSU Success