, 1877-11-17

NEWS.

- sSAv6'S ES"u -. fMuA W 1850 trN"
accordilpggIsttoo Turkish accounts there has
been severe fighting near Plevna, which
has resulted tavorably for the Turks. &
edErbm Russian sources it is reported
that General Skobeleff who on the Sth
Instant was4said eto' be at Bristova, south
81 Plevna). has repealed a Turkish attack
Vpph bis position. We also learn that
sQSSmdn .Pasha is on the point of making
adgrest effort 10 free himself from his peril
Gus position at Plevna. This effort will
perhaps result in an offensive movement
against the Russian and Roumanian Forces
Immediately around Plevna, probably
near The Gravitza redoubt. 1t must in
sSSffnne measure, depend upon the results Of
thu fighting around this place, whether
the Russians determine to winter north
ofthe Balkans, or push on towards the
Sophia pass. In fact the crisis of the
present campaign is at band, and a deci-
sive defeat on either side, which may be
daily expected, will in all probability
decide the great question, as to the pro-
longation of the war.
,zFrom Asia we receive Information that
Mukhtar Pasha "has repealed an assault
on his position by the Russians"
The battle is said to have been fought
40 miles south east of Erzeroum. This
leaves us still in doubt whether E.zaroum
isinthe hands of the Russians or the Turks.
We are still of the opinion that it was
taken by the Russians as reported on the
9TH instant, if So, this latter gallant resis-
lance Of Mukhtar Pasha's is on a par with
all the performances of the Turks. If we
follow the history of this war throughout,
We find that on every single occasion 10 which
the Turks have displayed more than usual
valour, 1t has been just too late to avoid
some great catastrophe. 1t came too
laterto prevent the crossing of the Danube,
teo1ate to avert the disastrous defeats
tusthersouth, too late to hold the Schipka
pass and now apparently too late to pre-
vent the taking of E%rzeroum, and it may
come" TOO fate to prevent the Russians
holding'Armenia on the Asiatic side, Bull
gariaf and the Balkans in Europe, aud
ultimately debating a peace at Adriano-
PIE, according to their original plan, before
the campaign is concluded. For if once
Heyspcceed in passing the Balkans before
mud wiater, they will probably be able
to continue fighting without cessation till
the spring. by which time, unless indeed
tie Turkish prospects greatly improve,
their object will be surely attained.
,~oa.a 49,
France seems to be in a state of fermenl
ab.the result of the recent elections, and the
attitude of the Government. There seems
toobea fear lest repetition of the events
cf'f65l should occur, when Louis Napoleon
assumed the supreme power. This is, how
ever, a far more national and firm Republic
than that Of which Louis Napoleon was
Prince-President. We can only await with
patience the news that the kilograms will
probably bring us shortly, and hope that a
peaceable solution of ally these difficulties
may be brought about in some manner
satisfactory to all parties concerned.
we cannot refrain from saying a few
words on the subject of the marriage of
tho yyoqng King Afonsoiofl Spain. Though
thelpastes may. perhaps, be o%flittle real i'm
poftance to- any but Spaniards themselves, it
is . new tsIdyapof'the K1ug", which we fol-
low sefth,great interest. Interest, however,
not unu1ixed with anxiety lest the hero of