A HORRIBLE STORY OF THE WAR.

In compliance with instructions from the Foreign Office, Mr. Layard directed an inquiry into the treatment of the Jews of Kesanlik by the Bulgarians and Russians on the occupation of that place last summer by General Gourko’s forces. The inquirer’s statement, Mr. Layard thinks, may be considered on the whole as trustworthy. According to this account, the town having capitu lated, permission was given by the Russian general to both Russians and Bulgarians to plunder houses belonging to Turks and Jews. The Bulgarians continued their work of pillage, murder, and rape for several days. On July 20 three Bulgarians, led by a person who seemed to be a Russian, broke into the house of Aaron Caneti, who hid him self. They, however, succeeded in finding his partners, Isaac and Judas Assa, and called upon them to disclose the place where Aaron Caneti kept his money. Finding resistance impossible, the Assas gave up a portion of the monev, which, however, did not satisfy the Bulgarians, who stabbed to death Isaac Assa, Judas succeeding in making his escape. This outrage was at once brought to the notice of the Russian commander, who placed sentries in the streets in order to stop the pillage and arrest marauders. But notwithstanding this step, the Bulgarians continued their work of pillage, and the town remained in their hands for eight days. On the ninth day news arrived that the Turks had reoccupied Zaghra, and the Rus sians, of whom a small force only re mai'ned at Kesanlik, at once retired to Shipka, leaving the Turkish and Jewish families at the mercy of the Bulgarians, who from that time set no bounds to their excesses. A proclamation was issued by the Bulgarian Government to the effect that any Turk or Jew who left his house would be immediately put to death, and some Turks, who went out notwithstanding this prohibition, were killed. The object of this order was to facilitate the plunder of the slops and houses, defended, as they would be, by the proprietors alone. It was at first obeyed by the Jews, but seeing that the plunder of their houses nevertheless continued, they quitted them on Aug. 4 in order to repair to the synagogue and determine what steps they should take under the circumstances.

On Saturday, August 5, the Bulgarians penetrated into the court of the syna gogue, uttering threats of death against those who had set their orders at de fiance. They were guided by a Christian, whose employment had been to light the fire on Saturdays in the synagogue, and in most of the Jewish houses in Kensanlik. This wretch, who had lived on the bounty of the Jews, was now foremost to betray and denounce them. Some of the Jews, among whom was the Grand Rabbi, managed to escape to the garrets and cellars of their houses, where they concealed themselves, but those who remained were seized by the Bul garians, who selected from among them, by the indication of their guide, Samuel Caneti, Jacob Levy, Moses Catava, and Behor Joseph Levy, and conducted them to the other extremity of the town. On the way these poor men were most in humanly maltreated by the Bulgarians with a view to extorting money from them. Finding that they had none, they killed a dog, and, in order to re venge themselves, forced their Jewish prisoners to drink its blood. They subsequently released their prisoners, with the exception of Samuel Caneti, in order that they might take steps to ransom him. The Jews having-no money, the Jewish women gave up their jewels, and the amount of the ransom was made up and handed over to the Bulgarians, who, however, did not re lease their prisoner. On Monday the situation of the Jews became altogether desperate. They had lost everything, and were in momentary expectation of being put to death. The corpses of eleven victims had already lain. forty eight hours in the court of the synagogue. In this extremity the Jews decided to go to Shipka and give themselves up to the Russians. This same day the Bul garians broke into the house of the Grand Rabbi, laid hold of his grand daughter Mazalton, seventeen years old, and carried her off to the Bulgarian

quarter, declaring that they would not give her up untill they received a large ransom. The ranson was paid, but the girl was not sent back. It was only by means of money that permission was obtained to burv the eleven Jews who had been murdered in the court ot the synagogue, and the same means were employed to enable the survivors to leave Kesanlik and proceed to Shipka. No sight could be imagined more dis tressing than this emigration en masse of the Jewish families, deprived of every thing, penniless, almost naked, to escape this intolerable persecution. It was heartrending to hear the lamentions of these poor people hurrying away with their children to avoid certain death. They left Kesanlik about nine o’clock (Turkish), and suffered many indignities and cruelties on their way to, and arri val at, Shipka, being only saved from execution at the hands of Cossacks by the timely intervention of two Russian horsemen. At Shipka they were housed in the court of a church, and supplied for some days with bread and water.

About three days after their arrival at Shipka, the grand-daughter of the Grand Rabbi was sent back by the Bulgarians. She had been dishonoured, and was in a pitiable state; neverthe less, her parents were delighted at her return. For thirteen days and nights the Jews .remained encamped in this court. At night the Bulgarian soldiers used to enter the court, and, with threats of death and bv the fault light of candles, select those girls and voting women whose appearance most pleased them, and carry them off to their houses, without regard to their cries and lamentations. At daybreak they were restored dishonoured to their parents. These excesses continued until the health of these miserable crea tures suffered frightfully. With a re finement of cruelty the Bulgarians fas tened the door of the court inhabited by the Jews, and left them twenty-four hours without water. It was fearful to hear the children, suffering from the heat of summer, and crying for water, which their parents were unable to give them.

On August 20, this state of suffering was at its height. On that day the funeral of a Russian officer took place in the church in the court of which the Jews were confined. A large number of Russians and Bulgarians attended it, and the groans of the unhappy Jews were overheard by some Russian offi cers, who ordered the door of the court to be opened, and great wasftheir astonishment at the sight of thesejmis erable creatures dying ot thirst. They ordered water to be immediately brought, stipulating only that those of the women who had infants at the breast should also suckle some Bulga rian children who had been found abandoned in the Balkans. These offi cers promised, their protection to the Jewish sufferers, and were loud in their abuse of the Bulgarians, who had not scrupled to thus torture inoffensive persons who .had...submitted of their own accord. They even went so far as to procure four cows for their sup port. Meanwhile it was reported that the Turkish army was approaching Shipka, and the Bulgarians were much exercised lest on the return of the Turks the Jews should be able to give them an account of the exploits of their persecutors and the cruelties these latter had perpetrated. On the other hand, one of the Russian officers, a Jew him self, was doing his utmost to Save the fugitives. He managed to get them sent to Tirnova, by way of Gabrova, with an escort of Bulgarian soldiers, and a letter addressed to the authori ties, stating that the Jews were not .prisoners, but ' peaceable citizens, who had submitted of their own free will. Unfortunately the soldiers of the escort, joined by other Bulgarians ani mated by the vilest intentions, pro ceeded to the worst excesses. They caused the Jews to march slowly, so that they arrived at night before Ga brova. Once there, their license had no bounds. The nocturnal scenes of Shipka re-commenced, and the unhappy girls were once more violated by these wretches in the open fields and in the presence of the whole caravan. On the 22nd of August they entered Gabrova, amidst the hooting and abuses of the inhabitants, who had as sembled to sec them pass. They were

forced to march all through the town and exposed to the execration of the public, their escort giving out that they had poisoned the water at Zaghra and thereby caused the death of a great number of Russians. Owing to this atrocious calumny the people fell upon them, and they were subjected to much illtreatment. This martyrdom only ceased when they were handed over to the Russian police, and the letter read which established their innocence ; and even then they were confined in a place where they were exposed on the bare ground to the burning heat of the sun by day and the wet dew by night. They were constantly watched. Their only food consisted of muddy bread, and water was given to them in just suffi cient quantities to keep them alive. After remaining six days at Sistova, they were sent to Bucharest, where thirty-five of the fugitives died, and thence for Trieste.

THE EVENING ECHO, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, IS7S.



M R . S . B . SEYMOUR, SURGEON DENTIST, CHRISTCHURCH. At the request of a number of the residents, Mr. Seymour will visit Ashburton monthly. First visit, Saturday noon, to Monday afternoon, April 23th, at Quill’s Hotel. T OR D , HUG II ES , & CO. GRAIN AND PRODUCE MERCHANTS, Shipping and Commission Agents, Make Liberal Advances on Grain or other produce for shipment to their agents in the Australian Colonies or London. Cornsaeks and Wool packs supplied at lowest current rates. indents executed from all parts of the world. Olliecs—High Street, Christchurch. MRS. E. PETERSON, DRESSMAKER, (Two doors from the Echo Office). All orders executed with neatness and with lPromptness. STORAGE. GRAIN and other PRODUCE STORED on Account of Farmers, at Lowest Rates. SAUNDERS BROTHERS, Ashburton and Christchurch. LOTTO, Draughts and Draught Boards, Dominoes, Cards and Cribbage Boards, die., at FURNESS AND DIXONS, East-street, Ashburton.



J. G. ANSTEE, BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. Every description of Carpentering, and all kinds of Jobbing Work, Shop Fittings, &c., done on the most reasonable terms. Pictures Mounted and Framed !



W. R. BOYLE, STATE AND GENERAL AGENT, EAST STREET, ASHBURTON. BOOKS ! BOOKS ! BOOKS ! URN ESS and DIXON have on Sale a 1 Choice Assortment of Interesting and Popular Works, including the following:— Sunday at Home for 1877. Leisure Hour for 1877. Child’s Companion for 1577. Little Wide Awake tor 1577. Saved from the Sea, by Kingston. Robinson Crusoe, 100 Illustrations. Swiss Family Robinson, 300 Illustrations. Roys Book of Sports. Every Boys Annual, Ethel Clinton. Little Hazel. Polly and Jack. Nannette. Dam pier. Prince Übbely Bubble. 'Fold iu the Twilight. Aunt Martha’s Corner Clipboard. By Hesba Stretton, — Fern’s Hollow. Cassy. Little Meg’s Children. Max Kromer. Lost Gip. Friends till Death. Kardno, the Hindoo Girl. Trot’s Letters to her Doll. Our New House. Melbourne House. Unele Tom’s Story of his Life. Turnaside Cottage. The Twins of Saint Marcel. The Lost Father. Christmas at Annesley. By A. L.O.E., — Miracles of Heavenly Love. Fairy Friskct.



M E ? ICAL, ~ AII L - R -C.P., L.R.C.S., # L.M., Edinburgh, First Honorman and Medalist, aged 2S years, married, would be glad to hear of an appointment in New Zea land. Would manage a branch or 'accept of junior partnership in a good practice, for which premium would be accepted out of proceeds. Advertiser is strictly steady and energetic, has had much experience in all blanches, and holds a number of first-class testimonials from eminent men in the pro fession. Address, with full particulars, to DR. WM. BENNETT, P.O. Box 42, Ashburton, Canterbury;’ MESSRS CO., Ashburton, General Merchants, Auctioneers, Stock, Sta tion, Estate, and Commission Agents. Sales of Stock, Farm Implements, &c., w'H be held at their Yards, Ashburton, eveiy alternate Thursday. CASH Advances made on Stock, Produce, &c., consigned for Positive Sale.



BULLOCK & CO. THE undersigned is a CASH BUYER of OATS, BARLEY, GRASS SEED, WHEAT, CHEESE, and OTHER FARM PRODUCE, At highest Market Prices. Cornsacks supplied at ruling prices. 11. B. SORENSON. Christchurch. 'T'O LET A FURNISHED, OCCa'- L SIONAL ROOM, in a Central position. Can be had on application to ALPHA, “Echo” Office. T O LE T . A SHOP IN EAST STREET, next door Cl to Mr. San do’s. Enquire at the ECHO Office. BUSINESS NOTICE. T L . WILSON, AUCTIONEER, VALUATOR & BROKER, Lrcm'fEi.D Street, Christchurch. WILL IMPORT for the NEXT SEASON, REAPERS AND BINDERS. JOHN ANDERSON, Canterbury Foundry , Having made arrangements for the im portation of each description of each machine, viz : The WOOD, The McCORMICK, and The OSBORNE, With all the latest improvements for next season’s harvest, begs respectfully to state that he will KEEP A STAFF OF EXPERTS In the district during harvest To Fit Up and Keep in Order, Which, Avith a supply of extras for each machine, will be a guarantee again:t stoppages. Early orders will oblige, to save dis appointment. - WANTED Runners for the Evening Echo. Good wages to smart boys. RAILWAY FOUNDRY, CHRISTCHURCH. ’ SCOT'F BROS., ENGINEERS, &c„ BEG to inform their customers and the public generally that they have REMOVED To new and commodious premises in MANCHESTER STREET SOUTH, Near the new passenger station. Manufacturers of Railway Contractors’ Plant- Flax Dressing Machines and Presses, Wool Presses, Agricultural and all descriptions of Machinery. Plain and Ornamental Railing, Gates, and Tomb Fencing. Stoves and Cooking Apparatus. Drawings prepared, and estimates given for all kinds of Engineering and Machinery. Repairing done with expedition.