NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 309, 31 December 1877, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The following interesting items of news are collated from our Wellington coatempocarfes ol Saturday, THE WAR IN THE EAST. An official telegram from Mukhtar Pasha admits that the Russians compelled him to retreat from Devitzoyau. He says many of the officers, who were panic-stricken, abandoned several guns, and will be court-mar-tialled. The despatch concludes :— " We are now occupying the fortifications of Erzeroum, and preparing means of defence." Telegraphing a day later from Erzeroum, Mukhtar Pasha says:—" At four o'clock the Russians attacked our fortified positions at Azique Our troops, fighting with great Valor, repulsed them and pursued them four or five miles from Erzeroum. The Russians were totally defeated, and the trenches were filled with their dead." Early advices received from Constantinople show that before this success the situation at Erzeroum was very critical. The inhabitants demanded that the authorities should capitulate. ' Detailed reports of the battle near Erzeroum show that the fighting lasted eleven hoars. Two Russian columns attacked the redoubts south-east of Erzeroum, arid one co'Twnn succeeded in occupying a bock-house, bat was dislodged before a superior force, who carried off 550 prisoners. The Russian losswss 32 killed and 600 wounded. A 6 Plevna General Skobeloff has established himself in a newly-captured position. Tha final Turkish attack was repulsed by the fire of seventy cannons. The Turks lost heavily in the fight, in which Skobeloff was wounded by a shell. The rifle pits in front :!of. the position would turn all intervening works. A correspondent at Constantinople telegraphs the following:— At a council, over which Sulieman presided, tha general feeling was expressed by no ona more strongly than by Sulieman in favor of an effort to put an end to the war, in which enough had been done on both sides for glory, and which, if continued, must inflict lasting misery upon the two empires. It was felt that sufficient reliance could not be placed upon the declarations of Russia, and even while seeking to : obtain an honorable peace Turkey waa making preparations for a prolonged resistance, which must be vigoroasly carried on. Subject to this determination to prosecute the war, if honorable peace could not be obtained, it was resolved that the time for endeavoring to end the war had arrived. The Grand Vizier informed the British Ambassador of the decision of the Council m the hope that England would aid in putting a stop to the war. The Russian military railway from Bender to Galatz is completed. A Pera correspondent telegraphs that there is much anxiety there about a possible combined movement of Servians and Montenegrins. A Greek rising is apprehended in Epirus, Thessaly, and Albania. The Greeks have sent a strong note to the Porte concerning their grievances. The Porte replied that it is inclined to meet danger half-way by sending both Servian and Greek representatives their passports, as the note is evidently intended to provoke an angry reply, which could ba used as a pretext for a rupture at a favorable opportunity. The situation is altogether very critical. An unofficial report states that the Montenegrins stormed the citadel of Spitza. This gues the Montenegrins possession of the coast from the Austrian frontier to Beyona. The Turks still hold the citadel of Antivari. A Russian correspondent says the Montenegrins are kept in check by two Turkish ships in the roadstead. The Turks violated the Austrian frontier, sacked several houses, and stole cattle. The Chicago Times' London special says the terms of peace between Russia and Turkey are the subject of much discussion, and the attitude that Germany will assume causes much anxiety. It is thought that Russia will be willing to grant acceptable terms, but it is feared that Germany may urge Russia to demand terms which England would not permit the acceptance of. The impression among financial men is that the settlement of the question is full of danger for Europe. England is more alarmed at Germany than at Russia, not knowing where to secure allies in case of rupture with the former. In the Greek Chamber a deputy moved for consular reports relative to outrages committad by Turkish troops in the provinces bordering on Greece, and measures were taken by the Porte to prevent such crimes recurring. The Minister at Tricoupis was opposed to the motion, and declared that Government would do its clear duty by producing the documents at a proper time, but not now. A special Vienna telegram saya :— So far from being weak, the Cz&rewitch'a army now consists of eight infantry and four cavalry divisions, numbering from 80,000 to 90,000 men. It is thought it must cover the line from the Danube to the vicinity of Tirnova, and it would not be easy for the Turks to make much impression upon it, since the Russians by forced marches can concentrate three or four divisions on any given point in a single day. A Bettinge despatch says :— The wounded Montenegrins arriving here report that on Sunday night a division moving towards Scutari found the Turkish forces entrenched near Arnamalite behind three lines of breastworks, extending from the hills to Beyona. An assault was made by 600 volunteers, who carried the first two lines, but on attacking the third found themselves opposed to a much superior force. The Turks were beaten back with a loss of between twenty and thirty killed and 100 wounded, when the attack was abandoned. This affair shows that the statement that the right hank ofthe river is entirely in the possession of the Montenegrins is unfounded. The locality of the battle is about half-way between Antivari and Scutari. The Turkish Ambassador at Vienna sounded Court Andrassy on the subject of mediation. The Court said mediation was inopportune, and would be disadvantageous to the Turks. A London despatch states: — Ifc is said that thfi recent sueeess o_ Russia ia Asia, and the probability that they will soon achieve a decisive victory at Plevna, have brought the Government to that state of anxiety into which they were thrown by the first raid across the Balkans. The papers that support the Premier's foreign policy ara daily ard vehemently demanding the active intervention of England. It is stated that the Premier informed the Russian Minister that if Adrianople is taken and Constantinople jeopardised there may be such an outcry in England as may make war on the part of that country inevitable. Information of this declaration has been sent to the Russian head-quarters, and made a strong impression there. Under these circumstances there ia some reason for fearing that the country may be dragged into the present conflict. Further ground for such apprehension is furnished by the fact that within the last few hours orders have been issued for the immediate preparation of an army corps. General M.likoff, when summoning Mukhtar Pasty* to evacuate Ersjeroum, in-, formed him of the capture of Kars, and that if he resisted he would be attacked by 80,000 men with an overwhelming artillery force.

Mukhtar Pasha replied that he would hold Erzeroum to the last. The following ia a summary of the military position when the mail left :— Thirty miles long Of linea in Vtetiag Plevna, were canaMettwl thoroughly secure at every point. The sections which until recently were covered by cavalry only, were fully supplied withinfantry, and the heavy artillery is in position wherever it ia likely to be required. A hundred and twenty thousand men will enable the Russians to man a double live of trenches along the whole line of investment, so that Osman's chances of breaking through for escape are slight. His provisions are exhausted, and there seams no possible means of relieving him. The Russians

are abundantly supplied, ood is in no danger of suffering as regards the com- , missariat, and, because of bad weather.

■Unqualified approval appears iv the Loadoji t Times and Daily News of Lord Derby's latest utterance in favor Qf British neutrality, which only gives; tbe voice. of the .true Solid judgment of: England,- despite of extensive popular sympathy for . Turkey, inspired by jealous fear of Russian aggrandisement. No wise Englishman really wants to plunge the country into war, if it can honorably be avoided. The Times accepts Lord Derby's latest declaration as hia final answer to tbose who clamored for war in favor of Turkey. The Standard also, though grudgingly, sustains Lord Derby, pointing out that he was able to show that his present course was entirely consistent with the originally declared policy of tha British Government to abandon Turkey to her own resources and fate,; escept so far as British interests should directly require England to resist Turkey's aneraies. The Standard objects to Lord Derby's silence as to the possibility of an arrangement of terms of peace directly between Russia aQd Turkey such as may compromise British interests.

There are great differences of -opinion amongst Turkish Ministers as to the expediency of making proposals of peace but at the present time the war party prevails st Belgrade. A rumor is current tbat the Porte offered through tbe mediation of England to cede Old Servia, and Epirue to Greece, if tbey will remain neutral.

There is a great panic in Sophia. The inhabitants are fleeing, being afraid that the Russians may cut the road between Sophia and Tatar Baz&rdjik. Ohefket Pasha is under arrest, and will be court-martialled for not attempt- . ing to take Teiicbot.

Tho Russians are raising works against the forts of Erzeroum and building barricades.

An English correspondent of a New York paper, discussing the future of tbe Turks and the Russian war, • argues that its close will be as full of peril iot England as its outbreak. England) can hardly consent to the dismemberment of the Turkish Empire without endangering her bold upon the loyalty of her Mussulman subjects in India. And if there be any truth in (he very general belief of Europe, Germany means to use the ascendancy wbich the War give- her to extend her inflasnce effactively and visibly over Belgium and Holland. The prestige of England aa a great European Power will receive auca a blow aa haa not been struck at her since the allied Bourbon fleets swept the English Channel and the War. Ministry of King George the Third were compelled to sign the humiliating peace of Versailles. To all thiß it ia claimed that the English public bas become indifferent under the influences of Gladstone's foreign policy, the bssis of which is that peace is more important to England than the honor or integrity of the British Empire. He made it fashionable to. talk even of .the separation of the colonies from the mother country as an event not only possible but probable, and not merely endurable but desirable. Robert Lowe Gladaioae'a Chancellor of tha Exchequer, now porsuee the same theme in the Fortnightly Review, soothing the jealousy ot England against Buasia by showiog tbat India and all her other foreign dominions are sources of anxiety and-expense, and that it would be weil to get rid of them, aod that any rival nation which contemplates assuming any of these buideDs ought to be thanked for her philanthropy, not hated for her ambition or avarice.

American.

Lieut. Bullia, with a small party of acouts, crossed the Rio Grande, near the mouth of the Pecob River, and wesi attacked by 500 Indians. and compelled ta retreat. His loss is not stated. Colonel Young left Fort Clark with 200 cavalry to reinforce Bullia. The Dumber of American troops in : Western Texaa is so small that the Indians rob and plunder with impunity. Hear Stockton the Indian captured a coach, killing the driver. It ia reported that Sitting Bull and his chiefs will shortly return from Canadian territory. The President in a speech atated that turmoil and violence had disappeared ia the South. He invited Congress to consider the question of protecting Samoan independence. A thousand Chinese are wanted for the sugar plantations in Peru. The working men jn San Francisco are agitating against any further introduction of Chinese. It ie said that there are 30,000 Chinese laborers in Sau Francisco. A lire in Chicago has caused a lo&s equal to a million dollars. Two men were kilted, and several others injured. The Mexican Government sent a force of 1500 men to the frontier. This, caused great uneasiness at Washington. The Mexican representative explained that the reinforcements were oniy intended to replace unreliable irregulars.

The Cheyenne ludians are causing trouble.

General News.

The Hall of the Scottish Corporation in -Tieot Street, London, has been destroyed by fire.

A pension of £100 a year has been granted to George McDonald, the author.

. A number of Spaniards, armed witb sides, have crossed the Pyrenees, and entered Spaiu. A rising is expected

A letter of condolence j signed by two thousand French residents of Montreal, haa been forwarded to Madame Thiers.

The Pacific Mail Steamship Company are negotiating for the absorpt'on of the Panama Transit Company. Professor McCarthy, of M«ynootb, baa been elected successor tb Dr Moriarty in the Roman Catholic See of Kerry.

The Queen bae knighted Mr Bain { Provoat of Glasgow, aOjd Mt Walker Mayor of Liverpool. The Rev.; Mr Rowley, Rector of WiUey and Barrow, died' whiie preach 4 ing in Willey Church>

The Dumfermsbira and Queensbury Railway has been opened.

The wedding of the Earl- of; Aberdeen with Miss 'lsabel Maria Majorihanks, the youngest daughter of Sir Audley Coutts, was solemnized at St. George's, Hanover Square. '

Tha new Public Hall, at Glaigow, has been opened with an oratorio. Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lome were present.

An action for breach of promise of marriage has been brought by a widow named M'Mau against a Sheffield manufacturer named Craven. A verdict was returned for the plaintiff with £1000 damages.

Mr Thesiger, Q.C. bae been appointed the new Lord Justice of tbe high Court of Appeal, Lord Chief Justice Ampblet having resigned.

In a speech delivered at Winchester, Sir Stafford Northccte declared that the advance of the Russian power in Central Asia did not menace British interests in the East, but in some respects should be welcomed by this country, as tending to civilize the barbarian tribes of Asia.

Admiral Wellesley has succeeded Sir Hastings Yelverton as Senior Lord of the Admiralty.

Lord John Hay has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Channel squadron.

The Marquis of Hartington has been elected Lord Rector of Edinburgh University. He polled 932 against 648 recorded by Mr Cross, the Home Secretary. Thia indicates & strong rebound iv favor of Liberalism comyared witb reoent elections.

At the Mansion House Police Court Frederick Dumadale, Solicitor, and Charles Burreli Moore, and two other defendants are under examination, charged with conspiring to defraud by forged deeds for a sum of £15,000-

Tbe Duchess of Edinburgh's residence at the Palace of the Czar, in Berlin, where the Russian Embassy ia established, is a circumstance which has excited some attention, because on previous occasions the Duchess has been lodged in one of tbe Imperial palaces as a guest of the Imperial family.

£10,980 has been received towards the Celtic Chair iv the Edinburgh University. Subscriptions continue to come io. Professor Blackie recommends that the chair be not formally constituted till £12,000 shall have been

raised.

The Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland has resolved that it cannot recognize the Grand Orient of France as a Masonic Body, because the latter hos altered the first artiole of its constitution, which contained a declaration of, belief in the existence of God, and in the immortality of the soul, thus rendering Atheists and Materialists eligible as members.

Pratt, who was sentenced to death for the murder of a woman with whom he had been cohabiting, waa executed at Newgate. He appeared quite indifferent. His most earnest request! during the laat days of, his coofioeraent. was for tobacco.

Mr Coote, solicitor, has recovered! £130 from Dr Kenealy, .for services rendered in connection with various cases undertaken on behalf of the Doctor. The latter declined to pay on the ground that the plaintiff offered hia services gratuitously.

Lord Mbncrieff, the umpire in the, wages dispute betweon the Clyde shipbuilders and men, has decided in favor, of the masters. While entering on his duties with the desire, if possible, of acceding to the wishes of the men, from! the evidence adduced he is of opinion: tbat the state of trade does not warrant: them for Peking an advance in wages,, Tbe lock-out is at an end.

The strike of masons in Loodon is, also likely to end. The men have expressed a desire to come to terms. A number of German, American, and Canadian masons have come to take their place, and more are on the way. The masons on strike have paid the wages and passages of any men willing te return to Germany and Amerioa, and many have gone back. In the Government prosecution against Swindiehurst, Dr Baxter L.ngley, and Edward Saffrey, for conspiring to defraud tbe Artisans' Dwellings Company, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. The two former were sentenced to eighteen months' hard labor, and the latter to twelve months.