LONDON.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 19, 22 December 1877, Page 2

LONDON.

■ December 17. It is stated that before opening of Turkish Parliament, the Sultan, unknown to members of war party, called Safet BaonfE, Easchid Fasha, and Grand Vizier to a private council, expressed, strong peace sentiments, and directed telegram circular to be dispatched to neutral Powers begging immediate mediation to prevent further bloodshed. Circular has been received, but no conditions of peace stated. Italian Government accept proposed mediation, but believe attempt would be unsuccessful. Osman Pasha committed , suicide by poison, supposed cause being Moslem inveterate objection to amputation. , ■ ' ' " December 19. - German Government refuses to entertain proposed mediation.? Russian reinforcements are arriving before Erzeroum. ! Several skirmishes have taken place near Batoum. Servia justifies her declaration of war on ground of oppression. . Forty thousand Prussians reinforced Gourka at OrchaineT > Improbable -Bussia will consent to armistice, except" upon definite peace proposals. * , Servians checked m first encounter with Turks. December 20. Opening of Parliament on the 17th January confirmed; " Standard " states Ministry will propose increase of army. Other conservative journals state German support to Russia is the real danger to "British interests. Special of Dec. 18 says Germany and Austria both decline Porte's proposed mediation. Layard informed Porte England continues neutral. Greek Government has decided upon a peace policy. 60,000 additional Russian troops were mobilised at Plevna. Russian troops are advancing m every direction. A Cabinet Council* will! be held to argue England's reply to Porte's despatches' soliciting mediation. December 19. Cabinet met to-day. It is understood England has arranged for the purchase 1 of the Turkish fleet. ■ December 11. There was great slaughter at Plevna. The Turks were compelled to surrender, after an heroic struggle. Forty thousand prisoners were taken, besides twenty thousand- o£ garrison, dying of cold, hunger, and wounds". It is officially stated that Russia intends prosecuting the war. December 14. At a Cabinet Council' to-day,' in consequence of the fall of Plevna, it has been decided that Parliament shall be prorogued to the 17th of January. An early peace is considered impossible without British intervention. The Turkish Supreme Council of the State has resolved to continue the war to the last extreme. December 2. The commander of the Turkish troops ; at Erzeroum states his ability to defend the town. | Reouf Pasha is organising a camp of 50,000 troops at Adrianople. Gambetta las demanded the President of the French Republic to renounce the right to /dissolve the Legislature. Marshal MacMahon rejected the demand. ' December 11. Plevna surrendered after severe fighting. . The garrison was reduced to starvation. Osman Pasha was severely wounded at the last attempt to break through the Russiad lines. - By £he fall of Plevna Bulgaria and the nftrth of the Balkans are open to the Russians. ,; December 15. Thirty thousand prisoners, with , fo/jfteen thousand' sick and wounded,, wire captured at Plevna, besides a $4arge number of guns and other mat6asL\T Osman Pasha was allowed a

guard of honor before his tent, and the use of the Emperor's carriage. The Servians haye announced hostilities against Turkey. . December 3. The Roumanians have occupied the Lorn and Palaska Lorn. '■ The Turks have retreated- towards Widdin. The condition of the Pope has changed for the worse. . . „ According to a Russian official account, the Turks have abandoned and the Russians have occupied Chozobeni, nearßatoum. The-ltalian Ambassador at Constantinople has addressed a protest to the Porte against the stoppage of Italian, vessels m the Bosphorus. The Porte offered ample satisfaction. -1 , . [ A Turkish force attacked the Russian General Kakowitza, who was compelled ! to fall back. The Russians captured Balitza, turning the Turkish right wing, i The Russian Press propose the following peace conditions independently of Gsterlitz :— Cession of Batoum and Ears, and free passage of the Dardanelles. ■ " December 4. Perfect communication has been opened betweenErzerum andTrebizonde The Russian troops are wintering m the plains of Persim. The Russian advance guard is at Deveboko, The Turkish troops are making a desperate resistance on. the - SopMa road. S^ Mehemet Pasha attacked the !R^^ sians, and the Turkish left wing retreated to Kamanli, south of Statitza, where he was defeated with great loss, and compelled to fall back. . The Pope is not expected to recover. . The Russians have occupied the Balkan denies near Syrista and Statitza. Mehemet Ali is pressing for-; ward, and the Russians are obliged to retreat.' Sulieman Pasha captured Elena, and took many prisoners and war material.. The Russian loss is estimated at three thousand killed. Sir Stafford Northcote, at a recent Conservative demonstration, repeated the assurance of continued neutrality , on the part of England, and said they would mediate if necessary. • , December 10. The Russian los 3to the 17th -November is 74,858 men. According to an unofficial Turkish report, Plevna is amply provisioned for the siege. Several Russian ' attacks were repulsed. ' ' The French Republican leaders disavow negotiations with Dufaur. A. serious crisis is threatening. . December 15. Dufaur has undertaken to form a new Liberal Ministry m France. The crisis has ended constitutionally. The capture of Plevna has secured the Bogaz and GMvna passes from attacks The* Turks, under Solieman, have | captured .Tirnova, Papokoi, and I Eesrowa.