The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-15

20 reinforce the centre. Twelve battalions
OF troops. field battery and four mountain
guns have left Delibaba to attack a column
OF the Russian left wing before Toprak
Kaleh.
WAR AMONG THE SYRIAN ARABIA
The Governor General Of Syria telegraphs
an account of an engagement in the District
OF Hannah between 1900 horsemen Of the
Bedouin tribes Of Sebet and some Ottoman
troops. The rebels were completely de-
1sated.
xuKHrAR PAcuA Ixr1oscxp.
The HERAID correspondent at s. Peters
burg telegraphs that information has been
received from the headquarters Of tho Rus
sian army in Armenia that Mukhtar Pacha
has been reinforced by twenty battalions
from Trebizond. This will enable the
Turkish commander to prolong his resist
ance, but the disparity in numbers Is still
SO great that a Russian triumph in that
region is inevitable.
RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS TO PASS THE RIVER
The HERALD correspondent in Vienna re-
ports that the Russians have erected bat
terry at Godehed. near Matchin, and IL II
thought probable that an attempt to cross
the Danube at that point will be made.
They are also fortifying the islands opposite
Giurgevo, and the activity Of their prepare
tions generally points to an early crossing Of
the river
ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE TURKISH ouNBoAT.
The HEnALD correspondent ut Rustchuk
reports that on Wednesday night the Rus
SLAMS attempted to capture Turkish gun
boat opposite Maratin. where the Turks
have battery. The Turks opened furious
cannonade from the Maratin battery, and
the fight was kept up almost without inter-
mission during the whole night
THE RUSSIANS BEATEN OFF.
The attack was skilfully planned and car
ried out with great boldness by the Russians,
but the fire from the gunboat and the land
battery eventually drove them off,
WAS IT FRINT.
Another despatch says the attack was
only intended as a feint. to make the Turks
believe that the main Russian force intended
to cross at that point and to draw their at
tention from some other place where the
real effort will be made.
DOUBTFUL BULGARIAN LOYALTY.
The HERALD correspondent at Pera tele-
graphs that the Bulgarian Archbishop Joseph
has issued an address to the churches Of his
diocese, in which he urges unity among
Christians and Mohammedans. He also ex-
horts the faithful to be loyal to the Sultan.
Whether this advice is the result of fear or
OF genuine feeling cannot be said just now.
but the balance Of opinion is decidedly
against its sincerity.
THE RUSSIAN REPLY TO DERBY's NOTE
The HERALD correspondent in Berlin tele-
graphs Russia's reply to Earl Derby has
apparently satisfied the Powers Trust.
worthy information regarding its contents
indicates that it rejects the idea of inter
ference with Egypt or with the Suez Canal.
THE QUESTION OF coSsrANT1xorLE.
The reply denies all intention Of taking
possession of Constantinople, but leaves
the question Of the occupation of the Turk
ish capital untouched It insinuates o
pretension on the part Of Russia to demand
the freedom Of the passage Of the Darda-
nelles, but no express demand to that effect
Is made.
REDRESS FOR TILE TURKISH CHRISTIANS
There is one point on which the docu-
ment is very clear and explicit. 1t demands
m entire change in the administration of
the Christian provinces Of Turkey, and in
dicates that on this point no compromise
will be made.
BRITISH INTERESTS IN THE PERSIAN GULF.
With regard to those points about which
England is most concerned, the reply con-
cedes that British interests in the Persian
Gulf will not be interfered with.
OPINION AS TO RUssIA's INTENTIONS
The general opinion in Berlin is that
Russia's desire is simply to gain time by
the exchange Of meaningless communica-
tons without giving any assurance that
would really bind her to definite course
Of action.
RUSSIAN MOTIVES INDICATED.
The paris cnrresnnndant of tina ISanee snys