TURKO-RUSSIAN WAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 822, 18 January 1878, Page 3

TURKO-RUSSIAN WAR.

—o—(By Carle.) (From otir Dunedin Exchanges.) London, January 9. The Turks still hold Schipka, and the Russians have failed at the Pass of Arogan. The Turks defeated the Servians at Nc\i Bazar, and have re-taken Kershama.

The Russians have occupied 'kaladitza, the Turks retreating on Baz.ardjik.

Tr.e Russians found 8000 wounded in Sophia. Turkish delegates have been named to treat for an armistice, which is now thought probable.

The Turkish -Parliament. - demands the abolition of the Council of War. Russia demands 4000 Servians 'to assist operations against Adrianople. llaonf Pasha has been appointed Com-mander-in-chief of the Turkish armies in Europe. Sulieman consenting to command a corps d'armee.

The Danube is frozen. The authorities at Cardiff have seized a quantity of arms intended for Turkey. ■ The dispatches published yesterday from special correspondents stating that the Turks had abandoned Schipka Pass, and that Radetzky had occupied Kesaulik, have O6oii ucCimca uui.OUlli.iAvt.*

Preliminary negotiations for an armistice are reported to have been opened, but success is considered improbable. The French Chambers have again met. The King of Italy is in a very precarious state of health. Hu is <vo«e to-day. January 10.

. Acting under the advice of the British Government, the Porto has consented to hold direct negotiations for Zn armistice with Russia. The Turkish commanders have accordingly been instructed to conclude an armistice with the Russian Commander-in-chief. The Russian forces crossed the Balkans at Kigtepe, near the Iron Gate, ou the direct road from Osman Bazar.

The Russians have forced the Trajan Pass, and now have 24,700 men south of the Balkans. Mehemit Ali has started for tha Russian head-quarters with power to arrange for an armistice. Grand Duke Nicholas has announced that General Radasky, after desperate fighting, yesterday captured the Schipka Pass with the whole of the Turkish force, comprising forty-one battalions, ten batteries of infantry, ten batteries of artillery, and one cavalry regiment. Mirschy has occupied Kenanalik, and Slcobeloff holds Schipka. The Russians, having forced Trajan Pass, took the Turks occupying Schipka in the rear. Victor Emmanuel died after three days fever. Tire surgeons Med him. He received the last sacrament, the Pope sending two chamberlains with the Papal denediction. It is stated that but for his own illness the Pope would have gone himself. There was general mounting throughout Italy. Prince Humbert has been proclaimed King. It is believed he entertains very different political views from his father. Stanley, the African explorer, has reached Brindisi. ' The Fenian prisoners have been released, but the Manchester murderers have been detained. January 11th. The French Ministry have suspended several generals. It is believed that this action has reference to the intended coup d'etat, . January 4th. , Sulieman Pasha lias been recalled to Stamboul. The Turks defeated the Montenegrins at Dhuzza. The Porte has notified Grand Duke Nicholas of its desire for an armistice. The Duke replied that he would refer the question to St. Petersburg!!. ■January 11th. Despatches from Asia state that the Russians have cut off the Turkish communication between Erzeroum and Trebizond. January 12th. The' Grand Duke Nicholas has replied to Raouf Pasha that all negotiations must be direct with him, and that an armistice is impossible without the basis of peace negotiations being first settled. Nissa, a fortified town to the south-west of Widdin, has capitulated. Russian troops have arrived atYoni Saghra and Baroduk, two positions south of the Balkans. The civilian population of Adrianople has been ordered to leave.

A new Turkish Ministry has been formed with HametPasha as, Grand Vizier and Savfet Pasha as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Russians took 8000 prisoners at tho surrender of “Nissa.

Aiitivavia surrendered on Thursday with 38,000 men and 1092 guns. (?) The town of Chipka has also been captured. It is now probable that Adrianople will be abandoned, and that the Turks will re-

treat on their lines at Tchekemedeha. The Civil Government of Adrianoplo has boon removed to Podosta.

It is alleged that the Russian military authorities me averse to the armistice proposals ; they have in view the occupation of Adrianople and Gallipoli. England has protested against the nonfulfiment of the promise that an order would be sent to the Russian Commander-in-Chief for an armistice with a previous stipulation in reference to peace conditions. The Daily News regards this as the beginning of the intrigue to involve England in the war. Three Cabinet Councils have been held this week.

A change of Ministers in Greece is probable.