CRITICAL CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 302, 21 December 1877, Page 2

CRITICAL CONDITION OF AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.

London, December 13. Adelaide wheat, 61s to 635; New Zealand, 43s to 455. New Zealand hemp, flat. Wool quieter. Sales closed with 42,000 ftales sold. New Zealand four per cent loan, one per <cent lower. The Otago Harbor loan has been iully subscribed; average price tendered, 102^. Arrived— Electra, from New Zealand. The Concser, from Auckland to New York, pat into Valparaiso, and sold cargo. December 16. Servia justifies her declaration of war sgainst Turkey on grounds of oppression.

The Czar reviewed 70,000 troop 3at Plevna. Forty thousand Russians have reinforced Gen. Gourko at Orcnanie. It is improbable that Russia will consent to au armistice unless upon definite peace proposals. It is said that before the assembling of the Turkish Parliament, the Sultau, unknown to the war party, called Rafvet, Raouf, and Rustchad Pashas, and the Graud Vizier, to a private council, at which ;he expressed strong peace sentiments, aud desired' that a telegram should be despatched to the European Courts begging immediate mediation. Italy has given a favorable reply. The Times impresses upon both combatants the necessity of a speedy agreement, and recommends concession on the part of Turkey aud moderation on the part o£ Hussta, Osman Pasha has committed suicide with poison, the supposed cause being the Moslem inveterate objection to amputation. The cable ship Hibernia, with 560 miles of cable, has been wrecked at Malratta Bay.. No lives were lost. The Lusitania aailed on the 7th. December 17. A circular despatch from the Porte has been received soliciting the mediation and collective intervention of the European Powersin order to prevent further bloodshed. The peace conditions are not stated. Ths Italian Government have accepted the proposal for mediation made by the Porte but it is believed the proposed mediation will be unsuccessful. The Russians are advancing upon Betrona from Elena. Consola 955, December 18. Russian reinforcements are arriving before Erzeroum. Several skirmishes have taken place near Batoum. December 19.. Ths German Government have refused to entertain the Turkish proposal of mediation. The Russians have occupied Becona. The Globe publishes a rumor that Parliament will meet on the 17 th of January in consequence of the critical condition of affairs in the East.