Nothing of importance has been reported this week from Asia.
The Turkish Government, alarmed at the impression created in the capital by the fall of Ardahan, has circulated a report of its recapture ; but it rested at first on the testimony of the " Cir- cassian Ali," and subsequently on " confirmation" of a character not described. It is denied from St. Petersburg, and is very improbable in itself. No trustworthy news, in fact, has arrived from the Asiatic side, except an account of another Russian defeat in an attempt to seize the heights above Batoum. The populace of Constantinople is, however, evidently alarmed about the war on this side, the students have marched in mobs to the Chamber and the Palace, demanding the dismissal of Redif Pasha, the Minister at War, and the state of siege has consequently been proclaimed. There is external order in Constantinople, but the disturbance in the public mind is great, and all kinds of rumours float about. The deposition of Abdul Hamid, the elevation of the son of Abdul Aziz, the recall of Midhat, the banishment of the dynasty, every kind of wild project is under discussion. The result, if the troops are faithful, will probably be the dismissal of the Chamber, and the appointment of some soldier to the Vizierat ; and if they are unfaithful, the recall of Midhat Pasha, with dictatorial power.
