TURKO-RUSSIAN WAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 788, 25 May 1877, Page 3

TURKO-RUSSIAN WAR.

—o—(■By Cable.) London, May 14. In the Commons, SirS. H. Northcote said although Russia might blockade Egypt, the policy of tho English Government would bo strict neutrality. Ho said there was no reason why we should fight while the road to India remained untouched. Mr Gladstone’s motion—“ That tho Government continue their exertions on behalf of the Christian subjects of Turkey, and exact changes in administration from the|Porte”—was rejected by 354 to 223. Mr Woolfe’s amendment declaring that the House declines to entertain any resolution hampering the Government without indicating an alternative policy, was carried Without a division. May 16. Russian despatches say their losses in the engagement near Batoum were trifling, while the Turkish losses are said to be enormous. A division of the Russian army crossed | che Danube and entered Dobrudscha. An engagement is now proceeding. May 17. The head-quarters of the Russian army have been transferred to Ploycsti, a few mihs to the north of Bucharest. The accounts of the repulse of the Russians at Batoum : are substantially confirmed. Russian despatches state that the Turkish iroclads bombarded Soukgoum Kaleh, ■in Asia. A desperate battle was also fought, ou land, many being killed and wounded. | The Jules-Simon "Ministry (Prance) have resigned. May 18. The report that the Russians have entered into the Dubrudschka ‘has not been confirmed. Turkish despatches state that the Circassians have revolted and captured Soukgoum Kaleh, on the seaboard of Russian Georgia (Black Sea). The Russian fleet has left American waters under sealed orders. May It). -7ia important debate took place in the Colonial Institute on Captain Colombo’s paper on Colonial and Imperial responsibilities in time of war. Amongst the speakers were Generals M‘Dougall and Colinson, Colonel.Crossman, and Mr Reed, late Constructor of the Navy, and strong opinions weie expressed in favor of joint action between the Home and Colonial Governments regarding fortifications, coal depots, and tho forming of arsenals. Wool.—Greasy has fully recovered ; scoured and washed are about a penny better’ihan-'ttt the opening sales. The market has now assumed a firmer tone. May 10. The resignation of the French Ministry was owing to a complaint by President Mac Mahon that M. Jules Simon had left undefended Conservative Press laws which the ■Chambers had repealed. A message from the President'to the Chambers states that as two Ministries have failed to uphold Conservative principles, and as he cannot associate with the Radicals, he has re-, •solved to maintain the status qiio until 1880. The excitement in Paris has calmed down. From the Australian papers we take the following cablegrams : London, April 28. No Russian circular despatch justifying the proclamation of war has yet been delivered totho'cther Powers. April 30. The Russian troops have occupied Giurgevo. May 4. The Russians are gradually -advancing in Turkish Armenia, and have occupied Bayzaid, a town 140 mihs south-east of ErzeroUm. May 5. The Russians are gradually advancing upon Servia. [This was telegraphed to New Zealand “ advancing into Servia.”] AUSTRALASIAN ITEMS. —o— May 12.—The libel case, Davies v. Berry : is to bo tried on the 21st instant. About L 9,000 has been promised towards the Episcopalian Cathedral Fund. The Elections passed off in an orderly manner. The Premier of Victoria has arranged with tho Agent General for the transmission of a weekly message on the position of affairs in Europe. This is in conjunction with the Agcnts-General of other Colonies, who mostly acquiesced. The messages will be despatched in the firisfc instance to Adelaide, and then immediately to the other colonies. A very great improvement has been effected in the American saloon carriages on the Victorian railways, the old oil lamps having been removed and ketosine lamps of English make substituted. During the stay in America of Sir Redmond Barry, ho obtained for the Melbourne Library about 2000 volumes of books, many of which have been already received by that Institution. Sydney, May 7. The agitation is increasing in reference to tho necessity for suburban railways. Bailey and Cooper’s circus has closed. They have been well patronised. They have commenced a country tour. In tho Supremo Court the Crown has consented to damages in regard to tho destruction to property caused by sparks from locomotives along the railway line. A number of spurious bank notes are in circulation in Sydney. In the Assembly, considerable discussion "arose in reference to tho state of the defence force, and opinions were expressed that they should bo better prepared for any emergency than they were at the pre■aent time.

Adelaide, Way B.—One hundred persona have signified their willingness to servo in a volunteer force. Ellis and others charged with stealing wreckage from the Geltwood, have been acquitted. The Government have telegraphed home for a 'Supply of Martini rifles to como out by the Mail. The Government has telegraphed to the War' Office for tho assistance 'of tho Royal Engineers or Artillery to command tho forces here.