MAIL NEWS TO JULY 14.

West Coast Times, Issue 2617, 20 August 1877, Page 2

MAIL NEWS TO JULY 14.

Severe censorship has been established by Russians asd Turks on all private telegrams. Special correspondents of the Daily Telegraph visiting the Caucasus, say that hundreds of families are starving, all their provisions having been carried off by Russians. In the Yamu district, fifteen hundred families whose homes have been burnt by Russians, died of starvation before provisions could be sent by the new Turkish Government. The insurrection in Caucasus does not make much way. It has been confined to the coast. It has, however, interfered with reinforcements to Armenia, and thereby aided in the present collapse of the Russian campaign in Asia Minor.

On 29th June 15,000 'Russians attacked the Turks near Soukhum Kale. After an obstinate fight they were repulsed, with a loss of 2000 men. The Turks, being entrenched, only lost about 500. Further fighung took place between the Russian left and the Turkish right and the centres, and finally on 30th June and Ist of J uly, a prolonged engagement came off at Karakahisha, when under cover of a heavy artillery fire, the entire Turkish force attacked the Russians, and drove them before them into the plains of Kars. The Russians admit 740 killed and wounded. Turkish accounts say the Russians lost 3000 killed, and an enormous number wounded.

A telegram from a correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Erzeroum, says the Russians are completed demoralised.

A St. Petersburgh letter say?, the collapsed campaign in x\sia is to be attributed to scattering the forces and attacking too many places at once, also to the insurrections in Caucasus, and the Grand Duke Micbael and General Melikoff. These statements are believed to be reliable.

It is assented that the Russians have lost in Asia since the commencement cf the campaign, 10,000 killed alone. The Montenegrins attribute their defeats to Prince Nicata entrusting commands to Russian officers, who, ignorant of mountain warfare, needlessly exposed their troops. Official intimation has been given to the Hungarian Chamber of the Austrian ' agreement with Russia, and tbat she will neither tolerate any change in respect to the possessions of Turkey nor nny territorial transformation of that country, and tbat she reserves full liberty of action for the preservation of the interests of that country.

The Austrian papers warmly support an entente cordiale with Great Britain.

The Austrian Government is understood to disapprove of the terms of the Czar's proclamation to the Bulgarians, as shadowing forth the foundation of an independent State, under Russian protection.

It is stated that a severe fight has taken place between Russians and Abassian insurgents at Strokaty. The result was indecisive, both sides maintained their positious.

Ahemeit Effendi Roha has been appointed Turkish Envoy to the Ameer of Afghanistan. He is bearer of costly prssents and letters from the Sultan, advising the Ameer to strengthen her relation with England, and avoid relations with Russia. The necessity for establishing depots retards the advance of the Russians in Bulgaria. The trial of Henry de Tourville for the murder in Tyrol, resulted in a verdict of guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged, but he is likely to be commuted to life imprisonment. The Berlin Post of July 3rd, says a Republic for France means peace for Europe, a monarchy supported by Ultramontanlism means war. It is rumored that the Government are considering an excuse for the arrest of Gambetta to keep him from interfering in the elections. Street tramways have been introduced successfully in Belfast and Glasgow. Great distress prevails amongst the Clyde ship-builders owing to the lock-out. Many families are reduced to starvation, but all attempts afc mediation are indignantly refused. An extensive fire took place at a timber yard at Pimlico. The guards were called out. The excitement was greater than at any fire since the destruction of the Panopticon, Several houses were destroyed at the same time.

Obituary — Mr B. B. Paul, late Archdeacon of Waiwera and Sir Jamset Jeejeebhoy, at Poonah,