29 JANUARY 1881, Page 2

General Skobeleff has carried the fortified position of Geok 'Pope.

The Turcomans defended it with splendid gallantry, making charge after charge upon the Russian lines ; but they could not cope with science,.aud on the 24th inst., their defences being partially blown up by mines, they retreated towards Askabad and Merv. They were pursued by the Russian cavalry for some miles, and, it is asserted, suffered heavily. It is stated that General Kaufmann is marching towards them "with a hundred thousand men," released from duty by the convention with China ; but as General Kaufmann has no such force available, and could not feed them in the desert if he had that story is either fiction or absurdly exaggerated. It is pro- bable that General Skobeleff, who has been promoted by the Emperor, will now await reinforcements, and improve his rail- way communication with the Caspian, before he advances, if,. indeed, he advances at all. Many leading Russians are of opinion that enough has been done for honour, and that the useless drain on the Army and the Treasury had better cease,. while Geok Tepe is turned into a thipOt and base for advance during some future year. There is, of course, the usual cry in England to keep Candahar as a counterpoise to Gook Tepe,.but it meets with little attention.