River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-06-21
RUSSIA'S WAR WITH TURKEY.

RUSSIA'S WAR WITH TURKEY.
After 55 hours fighting near Kistaz,
carried on mostly at close quarters, the Mon
tenegrins have withdrawn to Banjani. The loss
on both sides amounts to several thousands.
The Prince of Montenegro has Withdrawn his
headquarters from near Nicsics back to Astral.
Ten thousand Seryians are concentrated at
Belgrade and 5000 at Kragugevatz. A per
manent committee of the Skuptschina propose
to reduce salaries of employees thirty per cent
to cover expenses for ornaments. The Krag-
ugevatz arsenal is working night and day. A
Servian demonstration in the direction OF
Niseh is probably with the object of draw
ing off Mehemet Ali from Montenegro.
A telegram from Asia seems to indicate that
there is no longer that feeling of dependency
which was so marked in late acts from Turk
ish sources and that a battle will be risked in
the Araxic valley. The only question is
whether the Russians will attack the Turks in
the position they have chosen, or push forward
the column coming from Olti toward ErZer-
cum, and thus turn the Turkish flank. The
flying columns which Mukhtar Pasha has sent
against the Russians at Olti, shows that the
Turks are aware of their danger, but it re-
mains to be seen whether they can obviate it
and spare sufficient force to check the eventu-
al advance of the Russians over the pass of
Kirtchli Dagh, leading direct from Olti to the
head of the valley of western Euphrates and
ErZeroum.
A Turkish detachment has entered the
Russian district OF Archilch and threatens the
Russian communication with Arabian. Should
the. Turkish commander So cceed, victualing
the Russian armies will be difficult. On the
approach of the three flying columns sent by
Makhtar Pasha against the Russian right
wing the Russians not only evacuated Olti
but PenaE, at the foot of the pass over Kanly
range, leading to Arabian. Both Olti and
Penak were reoccupied by the Turks, who also
went in pursuit of the Russians. The above
is not from the immediate scene of operations,
and previous dispatches stated the Russians
were Withdrawing from the direction of
Erzeroum, in order to prosecute the siege of
Kars, reduce il and keep their rear free from
attack, and also that the Grand Duke Michael,
commander-in-chiefo of the Russian armies in
Asia, commenced personally to reconitre Kars
the 9th inst For some days past the impress
sion has been gaining in Russian circles that
the Montenegrins are not able to continue to
resist the overwhelmingly superior forces of
the Turks, and Austrian government was
sounded as to how far il might be disposed to
do something to prevent their being crushed.
The Russians and Turks have con-
structed a string of batteries on the opposite
shores of the Danube at Satuma and Isaktch,
where the Russians crossed in 1928. The inn
mense mass of material which the Russians
are moving toward the Danube can hardly be
lodged in the depots on the river before July
LIST. 1t is therefore scarcely probable that any
attempt will be made to cross before that
month, and this supposition is strengthened
by the present state of the Danube. The ene-
my viii certainly be on the alert on account of
the Cars arrival at headquarters, and there
fore instead of the Cars arrival, il is thought
by some, being an indication of immediate ac-
tivity, it is much more probable ii will be al
lowed to lose its awakening effect on the
Turks, and that they will be suffered to re-
lapse into their usual lethargic state. The
I how Kar oil ha
troops which they brought from Arabian,
Giemry, Kogischman and Louricamich. For
several days they have attempted to storm
Forts Tahamez and Karudagh, but on every
occasion they have been repulsed. On Satur-
day they made desperate effort to take pos
session of some of the heights, when the gar
rison made a sortie, and with field artillery re-
pulsed the Russians with great loss. There
are no Russian soldiers between Olti and
Erzeroum. Mukhtar Pasha's pickets extend
from his camp at levin to Olti on one side, and
Erzeroum on the other. The Turks are at
tempting to form counter approaches at Kars,
and are constantly making sorties The Rus
sian batteries have been very successful in
frustrating all these attempts. A sorte was
rcpulsed on the 18th, with heavy loss to the
Turks. Seven Russians were slightly
wounded.
The Times correspondent at the Mon
tenegrin headquarters at Ostrok photographs
/ the following unnder date of the 10th inst.
which indicates that the Montenegrins are not
yet completely driven from the Duga Pass.
The Turks have moved up to Noidre, within
reach Of cannon shot from the Montenegrins'
guns at Prespeka, but up to this time no indi-
cation OF attack has been given 1t is expected
I however that a movement will be made to-mor-
row. The Turkish column advancing through
| the Wassojevitch district makes slow progress,
and has not yet reached Koloschim. II de-
stroys all villages within reach, but has thus
/ far not entered the mountainous country. II
| is supposed this column intends moving
I through Driobriak TO unite with the army now
I in Duga Pass. Another rumor says that after
4 the relief of Nicsics and capture OF DanilOgrad
4 the bulk of the Turkish forces will be with
drawn to operate on the frontier. The great
I est confidence IL felt here in the general re-
suit of the campaign. a Ploiesti dispatch
states it is supposed operations will soon com.
mcnce, as everything is prepared, but the Dan
ube falls very slowly. There have been many
/ departures from this place, but the destination
/ Of those who leave is kept profoundly secret
A dispatch dated Shumla, June II, says an at
tempt to cross is hourly expected. There is
great excitement at Rustchuk and Shuma
\ There is every appearance Of desperate fight
/ ing shortly, Lennox starts for the front to-
] morrow The same correspondent telegraphs
under the date of Thursday, says that Rustehus
| Is almost empty. Communication is liable tC
be cut off and newspaper correspondents are
warned to leave at moments notice. The
Danube is rapidly suhsiding. f2&E~
Private letters from the Danube state
the Russians are extremely busy constructing
| bridges and repairing roads so as to secure ut
Z most facility Of movement when the decisive
moment arrives A field telegraph now con
meets the headquarters OF all the Russian corps
with those of Grand Duke Nicholas. The
stats of various Russian corps are located Al
Bucharest, Kalarash, Simnitza, Turnu, Mag
nereli, Russeuder, Alexandria. REM and Giur
gevo. Rats which Russians have been con
1 structing below Galatz are quite ready fol-
bridging purposes, and large numbers ofthem
are being towad up to Ibrail. This quite sup
ports the general opinion that crossing viii
take place at Ghiacet, below Ibrail. Sisters Of
I Mercy large numbers of whom recently ar
rived, are constantly visiting camps and
various hospitals at which it is thought there
are any sick, though Russians do their utmost
TO prevent obtainment Of information on that
subject.
r. A correspondent at Constantinople, in
4 a dispatch scent via Athens, says the peace
party gains ground daily. At a council Of
war Wednesday last, at which the sultan pre-.
| sided, several Of those present. especially
Mehmet Ruehh Pasha, strongly advocated
peace Ruchh said it was now quite clear
that Turkey could not hope for active aid
from any power and could not carry on the
warsingle handed. He urged that adyan.
I tage should be taken of Russia's recent dec.
laration that she does not desire conquest
and that application be at once made to some
friendly power and obtain an armistice
during which plans might be arranged. BE