COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 683, 28 August 1876, Page 3

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

The London correspondent of the Argus writes : The Servian forces crossed the frontier on Sunday, the 2nd of July, at three points The same day they came into collision with the Turkish troops, and there was sharp fighting. Every morning since we have received contradictory accounts, in which both sides claim successes. One official despatch from Constantinople sent by the Porte to its representatives abroad, describes the repulse of the Servians with a loss of 500 dead at Drkub. From Belgrade, on tho contrary, we hear only of Servian successes — of batteries and provisions captured, and of a general if irregular advance. The Montenegrins also are pushing forward into the Herzegovina, One ominous incident is reported. Hitherto Turkey in all her troubles has been able to rely upon the Albanians, but now, we are told, that the Albanians at Kuschi refused to advance against the Montenegrins, and when the Governor of Scutari sent troops to bring them to order, they openly united with the invaders, who attacked the Turks, and defeated them, capturing 600 guns. But it is too early yet to attempt even the first chapter in the history of the campaign, for it is impossible to disentangle the mass of confused and contradictory details which the telegrams contain. As to the probabilities of the contest, it is idle to speculate. Servia is a little State about one-fifth smaller than Scotland, and sparsely occupied by 1.352.000 inhabitants. Montenegro owes its freedom to its mountains, and perhaps no small part of its fame. Its population is estimated at 196,000, not more than that of some of our second-rate towns, for example, than Brighton in summer. If the two countries can bring 100,000 men into the field, it is only by reckoning their militia and volunteers, and every irregular force. The insurgents of the Herzegovinia and of Bosnia, separated as they are, can bring them but a small addition of numbers. Bulgaria is for the present held in check, but if the war is prolonged, they will be reinforced from other quarters, and the Christians of all the subject provinces may rise to their aid. .The Servians have received substantial help in money and men from Russia, for whatever the St Petersburg Cabinet may say, public feeling in that country is greatly excited, and sympathy with Servia almost universal. Of the three army corps into which the Servian forces are divided, the third, and most important, is under the chief command of General Tschernajeff, a Russian officer, who was lately editor of the Rushi Mir , and who has now taken up his sword in the interests of PanSclavism. Other Russian officers of high rank are taking part in the campaign. An Austrian, ex-General Stratimirovitch, has been appointed second in command of the Servian army corps at Alexowitz. It must be to the advantage of Servia to move quickly, for her resources are limited, and her means of communication easily obstructed. In like manner Turkey, though she has to draw up her reserves from all parts of the empire—they are coming from Egypt—must desire to overwhelm the movement, if possible, before it gathers force. The rsgulaforces at the disposal of the Sultan are 80.000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 10,000 field artillery, 12,000 gendarmes (horse and foot), and 3000 engineers, but it is not known how many of these troops can be at once directed against Servia, The Turkish army has suffered under the general disorganisation and corruption, and large arrears of pay are still due. The total collapse at Constantinople has not yet been atoned for. The greater vigor of the new Government, and the miserable mismanagement in the Herzegovina, does not augur a bright success in the present campaign. It is a month today since Mr Disraeli announced that Servia had yielded to the pacific remonstrances of the great powers. Prince Milan went so far as to propose to send a special letter to Constantinople acknowledging his allegiance to the new Sultan, but the current was running strongly all the time in the direction of war, The Prince has since explained that he would sooner suffer honourable defeat in the field than loose his crown through the indignation of his subjects. The popular feeling has been too strong for him *at Belgrade, as it may presently proye to be elsewhere, for other Governments. The ultimatum which he at length despatched to the Porte was a most extraordinary document. It spoke of tne damage done to Servia by the long insurrection, by the incapacity of the Turks to make reforms, and the want of confidence in their promises, and then urged in conclusion that there was but one practical remedy for all, namely that the Prince with his army should restore order. In this way Servia would become for the Sultan an auxiliary sent by Providence to aid him to regenerate the Bast. At the end the Prince declared that he had determined to undertake the task, and he asked the Grand Vizier to give orders to the Turkish authorities to aid the Servian army in accomplishing it. The Montenegrin declaration of war does not appear to have contained any such exalted offers of "friendship, but it alleged the same grievances, and especially complained of the blockade of the southern frontier. This species of blockade by the cordon of Turkish troops appears also to have greatly irritated the Servians, and is made much of by them in their preliminary manifestoes.

Prince Milan left Belgrade last week to join the army amid the cheers of the people and the salutes of the batteries. He was acpanied part of the way by all the members of the Ministry, and the metropolitan and all the bishops went with him to the frontier to pronounce a blessing on the troops. At the town where he parted with his Ministers he addressed the crowd who thronged to welcome him:—“ Brethren, the hour has struck; let us do our duty and trust in God, in the justice of our cause, and in our bravery. Our only alternative is—liberty or death.”

THE SITUATION AT CONSTANTINOPLE. The London correspondent of the Argus writes : —“The sense of insecurity is general in Constantinople, The new Sultan has not yet been girded according to the manner of his predecessors at the Mosque of Eyoub. The ceremony has been postponed from time to time till the enthusiasm that attended his accession has waned. He has lived in a very retired manner, which is said to be due ta his suffering from boils and carbuncles ; but it is also whispered that he shrinks from the onerous task before him, and would fain abdicate. The assassination of Hussein Avni, of which I lately sent a full account, has left an uncomfortable sense of unknown

danger in many quarters. The most graphic narrative of the Times Constantinople correspondent adds some particulars. It appears that the Circassian Hassan, a young man of twenty-five, was renowned for his proficiency in the use of all weapons —a dead shot, a master of fence, and so sure a rider that he would undertake for a bet to shoot a number of eggs from his saddle as his horse ran at full speed. He was of a slender but wiry frame, exceedingly strong, with a red beard, and had the fine regular features peculiar to his handsome race. Hassan wore his uniform, and had on his military cloak, under which he concealed two revolvers—six-shooters, some say—four revolvers, besides a yataghan and a Kamma or Circassian knife. The Ministers sat on the upper floor; on the ground floor were their men in attendance, a numerous company, Hassan, on being told that he could not at once see Hussein Avni, sat down with these people, chatted with them, took coffee, and waited. Having thus disarmed suspicion, he, towards midnight, stole out of the anteroom, and obtained admittance by a stratagem, The scene which followed can only be fitly described in detail. Midhat Pasha was dictating a telegram. Hassan, as he entered, found himself face tc face with Hussein Avni and Raschid Pasha, and stepping up to the former, revolver in hand, he cried out, “ Davran me seraskier”—“ Do not stir, War Minister,” He fired, and Hussein fell badly wounded, but not dead, vainly attempting to draw a revolver he had in his pocket. Terror seemed to seize the other Ministers. Midhat Pasha at once made for the bottom door, rushed through it to the internal apartments, and was followed by all his colleagues, with the exception of Raschid Pasha, who remained as if spellbound and nailed to his seat, while the Minister of Marine, Ahmed Kaisserli, who alone showed some presence of mind, immediately closed with the assassin, seized him round the waist, and pinioned down both his arms, Hassan, however, by a strenuous exertion, succeeded in disengaging his right hand, and with his Circassian knife inflicted several wounds on Kaisserli, who at last released him, and joined the other Ministers in their flight. In the interval, Hussein Avni, who was not dead, had risen, and was crawling with great difficulty towards the entrance doon Thereupon Hassan, leaving the Marine Minister, whom he would otherwise have killed, and rushing upon Hussein Avni, overtook him and hacked at him with his knife, cutting his throat, and never leaving him till he lay motionless at his feet. He turned then, and perceiving Raschid Pasha, who had never stirred and alone remained in the room seated on the Divan —in the opinion of some persons, already dead with fright—he pointed his revolver at him, exclaiming, “ Do you stop here to arrest me ?" and shot him through the head. The assassin then went up to the bottom door, which the fugitives had fastened and barricaded from the inside, and shaking it lustily he cried, “ Grand Vizier, open the door —no harm to you is intended,” and called out that the Minister of Marine should be delivered up to him. The old Grand Vizier, greatly terrified, cried out, it is said from behind closed doors, “My son, not now ; you are too much excited to listen to reason.” Hassan, baffled in his rage, sent two pistol shots through the door, fortunately without results. Unable to force open the doors, the assassin upset the furniture, set fire to the curtains, and broke the lustre or chandelier, so that the large room was only lighted by one single taper ; several minutes elapsed. During this horrid butchery the people in the antechamber below stairs, though they heard the report of the firearms, did not dare to stir, as they apprehended that the murderer was only the instrument of some conspiracy. At length Midhat Pasha, having armed himself with a revolver, went down stairs and raised the spirits of those persons, two of whom—one his own servant, Ahmed Agha, the other Hussein Avnis, aide de camp to Ohukri Bey—ventured into the slaughter room. As these two men entered the apartment both fell dead, struck by Hassan’s unerring revolver. But by this time the police and soldiers from the nearest post arrived on the spot, and Hassan, after killing a police officer and wounding six seaphthis and soldiers, was overpowered and secured, being himself seriously wounded. The whole affair lasted from twenty minutes to half an hour, some say three-quarters of an hour.” Such is the Times correspondent’s account of these terrible murders. It is certain that Hassan was animated by motives of private revenge, but the opinion also gains ground that others share his disaffection. and a large number of Circassians have since been arrested. We now also hear that the Government is taking measures quietly to disperse the Softas, who are becoming a dangerous power in the city. One week a large number of Softas, variously estimated at from 500 to 800, were sent by train to Ismidt, to be dispersed through Asia Minor, The Parma mail steamer took l a large number of them for dispersion through Bulgaria and the upper part of Roumelia and its neighbourhood, and since then 250 have been sent to Salonica. As to the proposals of reform, they have created some dissensions, but the war now absorbs all questions, and will reunite all who claim Turkey for the Turks. MORE ATROCITIES. The London correspondent of the Argus writes The Berlin memo lays great stress on the Salonica outrage, and evidently reflects the alarm of the embassies of Constantinople, but that incident pales before the horrors which have been perpetrated in Bulgaria, and which there is no longer any room to doubt. The Daily News correspondent at Constantinople gave recently some terrible facts relating to the suppression of the insurrection in Bulgaria. The atrocities complained of are not the work rf regular soldiers, but of the Bashi Bazouks, who are composed of the dross of the Turkish and Circassian population, let loose to fight in their own fashion. The result is the plundering of all moveable property, the burning of the houses and villages of the peasantry, without the slightest regard to the question whether the occupants have taken part in the insurrection or not, and the almost indiscriminate slaughter of old men, women, and children. According to this authority, one of the most fertile and productive provinces of the Turkish empire is thus being laid waste. It is estimated by those who know the country well that the district, which has yielded to the Government an annual revenue of about £BOO,OOO, will not be able this year, nor for years to come, to produce a quarter of this sum. It js too soon yet to attempt to ascertain with any degree of cer-

tainty the number who have been killed. An intelligent Turk, who has just arrived, estimates it at 18,000. Bulgarians speak of 30,000, and of the destruction of upwards of a hundred villages. I pass over the stories of the burning of forty or fifty Bulgarian girls in a stable and the massacre of upwards of a hundred children in the village school house surprised by the Bashis, because though they are repeated everywhere in Constantinople, I have no sufficient authority to enable me to express an opinion on their truth. The places where these atrocities are said and generally believed to have occurred, have been utterly destroyed, and possibly, also, the evidence of the cruelties which preceded their destruction. There is a difficulty in obtaining accurate statistics, but this correspondent gives a list of thirtyseven villages said to have been destroyed. One thing is very significant, he says not a girl over ten years of age is to be found among those who have escaped. In the town of Perushtitza 1500 persons, mostly women and children, are said to have been killed.

Mr Forster inquired of the Government, in the House of Commons, whether they had received any statement relating to these massacres from the embassy at Constantinople, but was answered that they had no information, Mr Disraeli being apparently reluctant to believe in them, although Mr Forster said he had confirmatory evidence from a source not unfriendly to the Turks. The Times correspondent now adds his testimony, which is of more importance, as it is cast in quite a different form. He states that this brigand war is still being carried on, and adds some other particulars. “ I have heard from several sources during the past three days,” he writes, “the distressing reports that Bulgarian children were sold as slaves by their Circassian captors. A wealthy Greek banker at Pera, whose name I could \mention,has for humane reasons bought four such captives, of course with a view to rescue them from the fate which awaited them in the hands of Turkish purchasers. I am informed thut many of the pashas and beys are supplying their harems with Servians from this service, and that at Adrianople this trade is carried on with little if any attempt at concealment.” He also mentions the report that the Turks have come to the desperate resolution of enlisting and arming 80,000 Bashi-bazouks throughout the empire, who if they cannot do much as soldiers could be available as brigands, and may prevent the spread of insurrection by the instant menace of a general massacre of the Christians. Other letters mention details which show how easily the war may descend to this level of ruthless savagery. One traveller saw the heads of three insurgents being tossed about from Turk to Turk in the market-place of a considerable town. There is too much reason to fear that there have been atrocities on the Christian side. These people are Christian but in name, and have not yet learnt the whole alphabet of civilisation. Servia may be incapable of playing the role of Ridmont, but facts such as I have narrated show the depth to which Turkish misrule has led, and explain the growing sympathy with the insurgents. It is not without reason that we find the veteran Lord John Russell, who was one of the first to raise a voice on behalf of the Herzegovinee, now writing to Lord Granville and urging a new policy upon England favorable to the independence of Servia. It must, however, be said as yet the public interest beyond political circles has not been deeply stirred by those events, and that there are multitudes of English men and women just now more concerned about the hard times on which they believe themselves to have fallen than about the regeneration of the East.

LATE TELEGRAMS.

(Argus.) London, July 2 to 22. On the Ist inst, replying to a note from the Czar, Prince Milan'declared his inability to control the situation. In an article published on the Ist instant, the Novel declares that the Northern powers have agreed in their views that the conflict against Turkey shall be localised. Prince Milan has issued a war manifesto, in which he says that further moderation on the part of Servia would be nothing less than cowardice. He justifies entering with his army into Bosnia, in order to pacify the insurgents in that province. His ultimatum demanded the incorporation of Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Servia under the suzerainty of the Porte.

Prince Charles, in opening the Roumanian Chambers on the 3rd instant, proclaimed his neutrality. Turkish reports confirm the victory at Weddin, their army being now at Zaitschar. The Servians, on the other hand, deny this, and claim a success on the frontier of Bosnia. The Montenegrins have crossed the frontier near Grahoro, where there has been some indecisive fighting. There has been some sharp fighting at Belena, near the junction of the Drina and Save rivers. The results are uncertain. The Montenegrins claim the capture of Fort Medun, near Podgoritza. The Khedive is sending a contingent of two regiments to Turkey. Telegrams from the seat of war received in London on the 10th instant state that severe fighting continues around the Servian frontier. The accounts are conflicting, but it is evident that the Servians are not progressing, and that Jthe losses on their side have been heavy. The Turks announce that General Mehemet, with nine battalions, left Novitozar yesterday, and attacked fifteen battalions of the Servians, who, however, eventually retreated on Yavour, leaving 1500 killed.

A commercial and political treaty has been concluded between Russia and Kashgar. The Servians report further fighting, without any serious results. Both sides are reinforcing. Telegrams from Bucharest, dated July 16th, state that Roumania has commenced mobilising her troops, and called out the reserves. Prince Charles in a memorandum to the great Powers claims virtual independence, and the cession to Roumania of the delta of the Danube, from Tultcha downwards.

Prince Milan, in granting an interview to the newspaper correspondents, denied being instrumental to Russian designs, but stated that he was fighting for the emancipation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, A Roumanian circular explains that the mobilisation of her troops is not intjgftded tc be warlike, but that the object is to strengthen her frontier corpsA grand council of notables was held at Constantinople on July 20th, under the auspices of the Porte, at which some elaborate reform schemes were promulgated.

There has been some severe fighting at Podgoritza, the accounts of which are conflicting.

On the 18th July the Servian army on the river Timoko attacked General Osman’s position at Izvor. The Servians were repulsed with great loss, and were pursued by the Turks into Servia. The Deutsche Bank has been authorised to deny reports that there have been large sales of the stock of silver held by Germany. The available stock is stated as being under £400,000, with a probable eventual surplus of £7,500,000. In consequence of the Egyptian Government continuing to resist the execution of the judgments pronounced against them to the Daira bondholders the president has closed the courts. In Roumania the Mobilisation Bill has been withdrawn. London, July 22. A Parliamentary Bluebook of 544 despatches relating to the Eastern question, has been published, showing that the intentions of Russia are pacific, and that she was anxious throughout to avert war, and to act in concert with the other powers. Russia desires to maintain the political status quo of Turkey, and suggests forming the insurgent provinces into tributary states. Lord Derby persists in his refusal to intervene onesidedly, and instead of the suppression of the rebellion, he would have order restored before applying any scheme of reform. A Servian despatch states that the Turks yesterday attempted to drive Olimpics across the Doyna, but were unsuccessful after Jobstinate fighting. The Servians reused to cross, and retired to Belina. Other reports declare the Servians to have been beaten. Heavy rain retards the movements of the main armies. General Ignatieff, the Russian Ambassador has been granted furlough. July 24. The Mersey (?) Gazette says it is proposed to reduce the term of service for European regiments in India by one-half, the object being to make the Indian service dovetail with the short service system. The proposal to localise the European troops serving in India has been strongly condemned. The Berlin Government Gazette reports that the statement of the Deutsche Bank regarding the stock of silver was not authorised. London, July 25. Negotiations are proceeding between the American Minister and Lord Derby for a new extradition treaty. Referring to the recent announcement of the closing of the courts in Egypt, it has transpired that only the summary justice court was closed by the president. The other courts were closed in the ordinary course, it being vacation time. The judges appointed to inquire into the matter decided that the president’s action in ordering the closing of the courts was irregular, and consequently a new president has been appointed. London, July 14. Papers relating to the extradition treaty with the United States have been presented to Parliament. Lord Derby in a despatch to the Washington Government, dated 30th June, intimates his readiness to consider a new and enlarged treaty between England and America.

Suez Canal' papers have also been presented to Parliament. Colonel Stokes’s report states that the general condition of the canal is better now than in 1874. The channel, in its present state, is ample for many years. The Bravo case is exciting considerable interest. A second inquest has been opened. PARIS, July 14, The DucDecazes’ speech before the Cham bers declared the policy of France to be solely domestic, pacific, and one of nonintervention in Eastern affairs. Vienna. July 14. Austria has closed the port of Klek. London, July 26. The ceremony of presenting Sir Salar Jung with the freedom of the city took place at the Guildhall yesterday. In receiving the freedom, his Excellency gave the assurance that the earnest desire of the Nizam, and also of his Highness’s Ministers, is to maintain and strengthen the alliance which happily at present exists between the Hyderabad Government and England, The Daily Telegraph has received letters from the Stanley Expedition in Africa, dated April. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Russell Gurrey took the chair at a large meeting ip favor of women’s suffrage, at which the chief speakers were Miss Oobbe Becker and Miss Frances Power.

A large sugar store at Greenock was consumed by fire, and 2000 tons of new sugar destroyed. The estimated loss is £50,000. Alex Kennedy, lessee of the Aberdeen ferry boat, by the capsizing of which thirtytwo lives were sacrificed on the sth April, has been indicted on a charge of culpable homicide.

The agricultural strike in Wiltshire has been brought to a satisfactory termination through the intervention of Lord Lansdowne. Tidings have been received of Colonel Gordon’s expedition. Lake Dida, 145 miles by 60, had been navigated by boats in fortyfive days. Colonel Gordon is expected at Khartoum about the end of June. The Freemasons have contributed £IOOO to the restoration funds both of St Paul’s Cathedral and St Alban’s Abbey. Pensions of £IOO per annum have been granted from the civil list to the widows of Shirley Brooks, Dr Tregelles, ana Dr Wesley. Two men have been sentenced to penal servitude for stealing money and a ring from Mr Wilkie, of New Zealand, by means of a confidence trick.

Joseph Spencer, who undertook to walk 3000 miles in 60 days, was compelled to give up through illness. He accomplished 1326 miles in 29 days. Mr Edward Pierrepointhas been appointed successor to General Schenck in London, He leaves America on June 22nd. On June 24th a terrible railway disaster happened in Spain. The mail train ran off the line at Tarrega, in Catalonia, killing seventeen persons and injuring thirty-seven others.

A gross perversion of justice has occurred in Spain, A British subject, Henry Pratt, has served eleven years’ penal servitude. His time expired two years ago, and five successive Ministers have declared him free, but have neglected to sign his papers, and he has just been moved from Melilla to Ceuta, still a prisoner, having served two years beyond his allotted term. The recurrence of serious inundations in France and Switzerland during the middle of Jane, has created some apprehension in

England. The anxiety was intensified by the confident forecasts of Captain Saxby, who announced early in the month that there would be a great atmospheric disturbance about the 24th, accompanied by high tides between the 20th and 26th. Accordingly, we had a tropical heat, a tempest of wind, torrents of rain in some localities, and many fatalities from lightning. The tide, though high, did no mischief. In the dispute between masters and men at Durham, 20,000 men have voted for arbitration and 16,000 for a strike. Messrs Crawshay have given notice of reduction, which will bring the wages of ironworkers 10 per cent below the standard of twenty-five years ago. Earl Fitz william has reopened the colliery near Rotherham, closed twelve months ago, the men having acceded to his terms. Mr Macdonald, in a letter to the miners’ agent for North Staffordshire, draws a gloomy picture of the prospects of the trade, and exhorts the men to accept the employers’ terms, and by no means to strike. The great works at Saltaire, employing 3000 men, were closed for a week, owing to a strike of weavers against a reduction of 10 per cent. In the cotton and linen factories generally the operatives are working on short time. The strike and lockout of Bristol house painters and decorators terminated on July 17th, after seven weeks’ duration. The labourers employed in the building trades throughout the country, numbering about 200,000, have decided on a scheme of federation, to be discussed at a great delegate congress in London on August 7th. On the 28th June, without previous notice, the compositors and printers of most of the Berlin newspapers struck. It is announced that Lord Northbrook, as was expected, has been promoted two steps in the Peerage, becoming Viscount Baring and Earl of Northbrook. The reward has been earned by severe and in many respects disagreeable work in India, and will not be grudged by any one. At the same time, Sir Richard Temple, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, has been made a Baronet. Opinions differ in India as to Sir Richard’s real merits, but no one ever doubted his seal or energy, or exceptional power of keeping himself well in front. He behaved admirably in the famine, even if he did spend a little too much, and has earned a distinction which, as he is a wealthier man than most civilians, may be an acceptable reward. It is well, too, to break the impression that the Star of India is the only English honor which an Indian official, not a soldier, or doing soldier’s work, will be allowed to reach. Sir Bartle Frere has been made a baronet, it is true, but it was not for his long Indian career, but for piloting the Prince of Wales with judgment.