The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-05-31
RUSSIA's WAR WITH TURKEY.


between Rahova and Nikopolis. They have
brought down by rail to the bank pontoon
bridges and a small steamer, and are erecting
large Notifications ut Islutz and Turnu Ma
guirclla. continual concentration of troops
in the direction of Simnitza is observable The
The council of ministers at Constantinople
Sunday, determined to send all rcinforcements
still arriving in Constantinoplc to Batoum and
Erzeroum. The authorities at Constantinople
seem to overlook the fact that these troops, in
making their way to Kars or Erzcroum. would
have to break the Russian division barring the
way at the Tschurukson; indeed the advance
Of the Russians against Batoum seems to have
been undertaken with the aim of locking up
thirty -four battalions of Turks and preventing
them or any other reinforccments from get-
ting the Tschurkson line to Erzcroum or other
threatened points.
The London Times Bucharest cores
pondent telegraphs as follows: "Grand Duke
Nicholas has been stopping here for some days,
and it is asserted that he, during that time has
remarked that he intended to enter CONSTANT.
nople, to make the Turks feel that they are
crushed, although he does not intend to retain
the CITY," A Berlin dispatch says it is pretty
universally believed at st. Petersburg that the
Russian government would not object to Con-
stantinople and the suez canal being placed
under the protection Of England, provided Rus
sia is allowed to protect Roumania, Bulgaria,
Scrvia and Montenegro and annex the Vilayct
Of Erzeroum. A Vienna dispatch reports
that the Turkish troops which fled from Arda
han have becen defeated in mountain pass
near Kars.
According to dispatch from an Eng
lish military commissioner with the Turks in
Asia, Mukhtar Pasha has been utterly unable
to hold the mountain passes between Kars
and Erzeroum. The commissioner adds that
the Turks are obliged to retreat without Civ
ing battle, and attributes the rapid advance of
the Russians to the total want Of efficient pre-
Erzeroum will not be able to hold out for any
time. Russia will probably put off attempts
to cross the Danube in force till the middle of
June. A Vienna special says it is stated that
Abdul Kerim Pasha, after garrisoning fortress
es, could only place at the utmost 75,O00 men
The London Times Bucharest cores
en- the conclusion that no important events
will occur on the Danube until the whole front
line is in position on the bank of the river. A
strong corps will be formed on the extreme
right composed of the Roumanian army and a
division or two of Russians. This force will
move up the Turkish side of the Tmok and
turn the flank Of the Balkan line by move
ment on Sofia and Phillippopolis. Such flank
attack would not violate the promise not to
enter Servian territory, and would unquestion.
ably bring corps of 2OO0 Servians to assist
! It. "A Russian corps crossing below Widin
garrison and leave the Timok valley unop.
posed, with friendly country on its right from
which to draw supplies The Russian main
| army In Asia, which took Ardahan, is 10000
strong. A portion Of the force having since
been detached, Batoum is now evidently inn
perilled.
Sir Arnold Kimball, British ministry
attache, gives the most deplorablc account a
the Turkish armies in Asia, which he repre-.
sents as lacking everything an army should
have except courage and patience. Sir Arnold
appears to anticipate that the Russian army
will not find any serious military resistance in
Asia, and that the only difficulties they will
have to encounter are those Of country and
1orbidding the granting of letters of marque
the treaty Of Paris regarding free navigation
| to neutrals, and guarantees the careful obscrv.
ance of this provision Of the treaty. The Gar
also declares his unwillingness to accept the
proposal made at the recent conference al
Brussels.
! The London Times Bucharest special
says: Rumors of peace are becoming more
clearly defined. It is asserted that negotia,
items are actually going on in Berlin for 9
cessation lof hostilities. It certainly will be
singular il all these reports turn out to be
entirely unfounded. Some of them have
actually emanated from official quarters a
Bucharest. War movements are, however
! being pressed forward as fast as the weather
will permit, and there is not much confidence
felt that peace will be made until after Turk
ish defeat on the Danube, even if the Berlin
negotiations are really going on"