THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5209, 1 December 1877, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(PEE S.S. AUSTRALIA AT AUCKLAND.) Auckland, Friday. The mail steamer left for Sydney at six o’clock. WAR NEWS. The following is a summary of events at the seat of war for the past month:— A Russian official despatch announces that on October 9lh a Turkish steamer crossed a line of torpedoes laid down on the previous night at the mouth of the Danube. An explosion followed and the steamer sank, the Russian cutter hauling down her flag. The Russians are making great preparations for the winter campaign. Immense stores are accumulated at Sistova and along the railroad. The mud is frightful, but the military railroad from Trateste to Simuidza is progressing rapidly. St. Petersburg!! advices state that 130 battalions of troups of the line are being formed. 60,000 of the Imperial Guard reached Bulgaria fit for service, replacing a similar number of Russians killed or placed Jiors de combat. The Turks have 200,000 men in Bulgaria, and are equal to the Russian force, excluding the Dobrudscha army of 30,000. English surgeons in Armenia declare that Ismael Pasha and other commanders refuse to assent to capital operations on wounded men in all cases, the plea being that it is better that a man should die than Hve to become a pensioner on the State. A similar policy is pursued in Bulgaria, and in consequence mortality in the Turkish hospitals is fearful. The Moslems conceal facts. A Vienna despatch of October 21th states that Russia has ordered the mobilisation of all the Cossacks not on active service, amounting to 91 regiments. On October 19 the fight for the possession of the second Gravitza redoubt took place. The Russian report says the Roumanians were repulsed in the first attack before they gained the redoubt. In the second attack the three foremost battalions leaped into the trenches, but were unable to carry the works. They remained one hour iu the trenches, aud then withdrew with a loss of two officers and 200 men killed, and twenty officers and 707 men wounded.

The bombardment of Plevna continues. Regular siege operations have commenced. The Czarewioh retains the command of the left wing of the Russian army in Bulgaria, the Imperial Guard being detailed to support Prince Charles before Plevna. Ou October 24, owing to improved weather, the Czarewich pushed along the line of the Bom, feeling Sulieman’s position. A recounaisance in force was madeou October 25. Some heavy fighting occurred at Rutschuck ami Kassova, the Russians retiring without coming into general engagement. Prince Sergius, of Luohtenburg, nephew and aide-do camp of the Czar, was killed in a reconnaissance. Sulieman’s defence is chiefly at Easgrad and Bustchuk. He is strongly posted between these points to keep open communication with Eustchuck, which otherwise would fail to obtain supplies. The Russian reconnaissance of October 25 is described by Sulieman Pasha in a to Constantinople. Twelve battalions with cavalry and artillery attacked the works at Bustchuk. A Turkish sortie compelled the Russians to retire on their works at Pyrgos, with a loss of 480 killed and wounded. Pour Russian divisions attacked the Turkish lino on the Lom from Eorancijthem, near Kassova, ,on thp right, to Salenk on the left, but were repulsed with a loss of 800. Some prisoners were taken. The Turkish loss was 160 killed and sixty wounded. A Russian official despatch of 25th October reports a desperate engagement between Gourka’s cavalry and a detachment of the Imperial Guards with Turks on the previous day. The battle lasted ten hours, and was a complete victory for the Russians. A strong position of the Turks, between Gurnji Dubrack and Teliche, was captured, and Gourka then posted himself on the Sophia-road, constructing additional entrenchments. Ashmet Pasha, and the Chief of the Staff, 3000 infantry, an entire regiment of cavalry, four cannons, and a quantity of ammunition and rifles were captured. Chefket Pasha admits that Gourka established himself at Dubrack, cutting the telegraph wires; but claims that the the attack on Teliche was repulsed. Teliche is situated west of Plevna, near the junction of the roads to Sophia and Nissa, on the Servian frontier. Gourka thus cuts off communication with Plevna on the south and west, prince Charles completely shutting Osman Pasha on the other side. A Poredin despatch from head-quarterastates that Prince Charles gives the Turkish loss in the battle at Gunji Dubrack on the 24th of October as 4000 killed, besides wounded and prisoners.

A special despatch from Bigot, eight miles south of Plevna, states that an attack on Teliche, made simultaneously with the capture of Dubrack, was repulsed with a loss of 1000 men. The Imperial Guard were engaged at Teliche for the first time. The casualties among the officers was unprecedented, every brigade or regimental officer was killed or wounded. 2500 officers of the first families in Russia were placed hors de co:iibat. Bigot is the Grand Duke Nicholas’ headquarters. The, Czar arrived there on the 27th October. The Guard behaved with great gallantry. The Russian loss on the Danube was 3000. On October 28, Teliche was surrounded by one cavalry and two infantry brigades of the Imperial Guard, and one brigade of Cossacks, It was bombarded for two hours with 70 guns. The number of killed and wounded was small. The Turks surrendered. One Pasha, several officers, seven companies of infantry, and three cannon were taken. The Russians have occupied the post. The Roumanian divisional commander, who failed to secure the Gravitza Redoubt, has been suspended. A Russian official despatch, dated Bigot, November 2,says—“General Kamzeff announces the capture of Dactehewn, to the north-east of Orchanei, where there were seven large and thirty small fortified positions. The Turks left upwards of 100 dead upon the field. Our loss was insignificant. We seized a large quantity of provisions, tools for entrenchments, cartridges, and a herd of cattle. Yesterday the Grand Duke Nicholas inspected the positions occupied at Govydubruck from which the Turks, on the approach of the Russians on the 31st ultimo, withdrew during the night to , Plevna. Since then this important point has passed into our hands without fighting. On the same day we advanced from Dubrack two versts to Plevna, and are entrenching in the new position towards Orckanie. Our infantry occupied Lukouitza, and the cavalry made a further advance. Chefket Pasha is returning without fighting, towards Orchauie. Mehemet Ali is at Salonica en route to his new command of Herzegovinia. The head quarters are at Novi Bazar at the southern angle of Bosnia, whence operations may be commenced against Servia and Montenegro. Novi Bazar is two days’ march from the terminus of the Salonica railroad. The bombardment of Podgovitza will be commenced immediately. A Ragusa despatch of November 3rd, states that an attack (upon Spuzand and Kiobuik by the Montenegrins is imminent. The militia from Constantinople have been sent to re-inforce Mehemet Ali. Constantinople, November 2. It is officially announced that 12,000menwill be immediately called out on active service. The majority belong to the reserve. This draft leaves 233,000 registered members of the reserve. 8,000 regular troops, all that were left in Constantinople, are ordered to the front. The Russians concentrated a considerable force at Hain Boghaz Pass. The passes of. the Balkans and Leon will be all commanded by Russians. London, November 2. Silistria is threatened with investment, but is strongly fortified, fully armed, and commanded by Selami Pasha, a very able general. Prince Hassan, with the Egyptians and | Turkish contingent, is detailed to oppose Gene--1 ral Zimmerman in consequence of the violation by the Circassians of the Timok on the frontier of Servia. The Servian Brigade has left Gravitska for Saitschai. The official return of the Government gives the killed, wounded, and missing on the Russian side from the commencemont of hostilities to the 27th October as 61,942. The losses during the week preceding the 25th October, not including losses at Dubrack, 1852. There has been heavy fighting in Armenia, which was begun prior to the departure of the last mail, and is being continued. A correspondent at the Russian head quarters, Karajal, on the 15th of October, gives full details of the battle at Aladjadagh, which was fought on the same day. General Taharolf was previously despatched with 27 infantry battalions and 40 guns from Karajal to turn Mukhtar Pasha’s position be’hind Aladjadagh to the Alievias Hill, near Taharolf. He turned Mukhtar’s flank on the X4th, and on the morning of the 15th he telegraphed from Bayardjik for assistance. Mukhtar Pasha was before him with a superior force. The Grand Duke Michael ordered an attack on Mukhtar’s position .in front. After a heavy cannonade the Russian left wing, with the Aladjadagh batteries, made a seriious assault on Alievias Hill and the redoubt at noon. The Circassian Grenadiers, commanded by General Plieman, carried the hill and redoubts by storm, capturing three Krupp guns. Eziukey’s regiment stormed Aladjadagh, capturing the Turkish camp. The Turks retired in great disorder in three directions, and the Turkish army was utterly destroyed as a fighting body. Mukhtar Pasha reports that the attack was made on four sides of his position, which admits that he allowed himself to be surrounded. Mukhtar Pasha had 40,000 men engaged, fourteen battalions being drawn from the garrison at Kars.’ The Ottoman field army lost a third of its strength iu killed and wounded iu battle, and a few battalions are still available to cover Erzernm and join Kurds.

Ismail Pasha’s corps and troops from Pernek, learning of Mukhtar’s defeat, hastily retreated, avoiding General Daharoff, and outstripping General Tergukassoff in speedThey succeeded in joining Mukhtar Pasha at Koprikoi. On October 27, Mukhtar Pasha took up his post at Zenickoi, west of Saghauludagh, after leaving Kars, and again retreated on Koprikoi before the Russian advance, shirking his ground som’ewhat afterwards as the Russians ad vanned. On October 19, the Russians attacked Port Ahinz before Kars, but were repulsed, Kars is completely invested. On October 31, Mukhtar Pasha and Ismail Pasha retired to a strong position near Hassen Kaleh. Generals Heymaun and Tergukassoffi effected a junction, in front of the Turkish position. London, November 1. A correspondent who was an eye-witness-telegraphs as follows from Erzerum : —As the Turks were evacuating Hassen Kaleh on Tuesday night, the Russians surprised their rear guard, taking two battalions prisoners. The Russian loss was insignificant. The Turks now occupy a formidable position at Deveboyum, the last defensive position east of Erzerum. Twenty battalions of Turks are there posted. There has been a running fight since the defeat at Aladjaclagh. ' The Russian corps from Ardahau is advancing by way of 01 ti to turn Erzerum, wli le Mukhtar Pasha and Ismail Pasha are at bay at Beoboyum, in front of the city of Vigiukoi. November 2. Two hours after midnight the Russians attacked the enemy at Bironae, and after a short skirmish entered Bivouac, and cut down 100 men, and compelled the others to take flight. The pursuit continued for six versts, when it was discontinued, because of the extreme fatigue both of the men and horses. At five o’clock iu the morning the cavalry occupied Hassan Kaleh. In the meantime other cavalry arrived near Knrudjuk, eighteen versts from Erzeroum. Generals Heymann’s and Tergukassaloff’s columns are concentrated near Deve Boyoum, where the enemy are encamped. Eezeedii, November 6. A severe attack was made to-day on the Turkish positions. There was fighting on the whole line. After ten hours’ engagement the Turkish centre was driven back and the Turks compelled to fall back. Mukhtar Pasha was slightly wounded. The Russian forces from Ardahau entered into the western Euphrates Valley, endangering the Turkish line of communication between Batum and Erzerum and Trebizond and Constantinople. November 6. Mukhtar Pasha telegraphs from Erzerum: _<• On Monday we had an engagement at Deve Boyum, after which we returned here. London, November 7. A morning special dated Constantinople, Tuesday, announced that after some resistance to the Russian advance, Mukhtar Pasha, finding his position in Deve Boyum seriously com*

promised, abandoned it, and is falling bade on Erzerum and Trebizoud. The Russians hare occupied Erzurum. A special dated Erzerum, Tuesday, noon, contains the following;—“ Mukhtar Pasha desires to stand siege, hut the inhabitants object, fearing the bombardment. .Everybody is leaving Baizburt. Monday’s fight resulted in a general rout. Constantinople, November 6. Many prominent dignitaries have been arrested by order of the Grand Yizier. It is said a conspiracy on the part of the party of the ex-Sultan Murad has been discovered, London, November 7. A correspondent at Mukhtar a head-quar-ters writes to London that the Turkish retreat upon Kars was the wildest rout. He states that the condition of Kars is almost hopeless. It has few provisions, and contains 40,000 sick and wounded. There is absolutely no firewood. correspondent fit the [Russian liead*(juarters, under date 4th November, telegraphs that General Hezmann is within cannon shot of Mukhtar’s position. A despatch dated Constantinople, November 4tb, states that the Russian march by Olti upon Erzerum was impeded by snowstorms. The division retired. The Sultan, according to a Constantinople despatch of November 4, is likely to change his Ministry. It is thought Hadyh and Savfet Pashas will form a peace Ministry. The Roumanians are grumbling at their losses in the war. There is no army reserve, and nearly all the officers are killed and the army disorganised. After the engagement on the 19th at the second frontage redoubt, the _ Roumanians threatened mutiny if led again to certain death. The Roumanian Chambers will be convened at the latest possible date, and will be prorogued almost immediately. Thus Roumania is in for war to the end. GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. A Lima despatch says the British ship Westfield put back on account of mutiny. One man was killed. A difficulty between Japan, England, and Russia has arisen about Carea. Russia offers to sustain Japan conditionally upon certain concessions. The Japanese insurrection is quelled. Sagio and other rebel chiefs are dead. The cost of Government was fifty millions. Sagio was Generalissimo of _ the Imperial forces. He quelled the rebel Daimos when Shoguuite was suppressed. The Chinese authorities have officially taken possession of the railway between Woosung and Shanghai, and have stopped all traffic. The Governor of the Cape Colony was at King Williamstown at the time of the outbreak. Everything is quiet in Transvaal and the Free States. Sir Chas. Humboldt, baronet, died at Capetown on September 2S, and was buried with military honors. Count Enteuberg, the Prussian Minister of Justice, has resigned. The Dutch Ministery were defeated on the Budget. The cause of the Aoheen war was that a new Government was formed. Serious-riots occurred at Sarator, in Polish Russia ; 140 persons were killed. The Spanish Government are negotiating with the bankers for a loan of 30,000,000 pesetas. The army estimates show a reduction of 3,000,000 pesetas. It is reported that a large private bank at Vienna has failed, with liabilities 1,500,000. The loss by the failure of Ritterschaftliohe, of the Bank of Stettin, Germany, amounts to over 15,000,000 marks.

’ London, Nov. 7. The Times Paris correspondent states that the formation of a new Ministry is impossible. De Broglie’s Government must meet the Chamber? The Senate will refuse a confidence vote, and the Cabinet must resign afier the first debate in either Chamber. MacMahon does not approve of a coup d'etat, and is determined not to take the Cabinet from the Left. His adherence to this course will necessitate his resignation. A destructive gale took place in the Bay of Honduras, lasting twenty-four hours, and doing great damage. Advices from San Domingo state that Puerto Plata is occupied by revolutionists, who are besieging the fort. The province is in revolt. Thirty-two Indians have been indicted by the United States Grand Jury at Idaho for the Salmon River and Camas prairie murders. The American barque Hattie G. Hall was seized in New York, and the captain charged with carrying coolies from India to South America in 1876. Chuttouville, in New York, is devastated by small-pox-. Twenty deaths occurred in a few day*. Travellers are prohibited from entering the place. Highways are blocked. It is reported that Jay Gould and Sidney Dillon have perfected arrangements for a railroad from New York to San Francisco under one management. Enough money has been subscribed to remove the Egyptian obelisk from Alexandria to New Y ork. The steamer Constitution, which was scuttled at San Francisco when burning, has been removed to the Dry Dock for repairs. _ Fifteen thousand cigar-makers are on strike in New York. 500 Chinese have been telegraphed for to San Francisco. Ex-Qonfederate Lezers has been nominated chairman of the principal committees of the House of Representatives. 40,000 people attended the Centennial Anniversary. Numerous bank failures, frauds, fires, murders, and suicides are reported from all parts of the country. The net profits of the Western Telegraph Company last year were 3,140,127d015. Edwin Adams, the actor, well known in Australia, is dead. It is rumored that fighting occurred along the Rio Grande. Yellow fever in Ferrandina continues. 800 persona are daily fed by public charity. John Welsh, of Philadelphia, merchant, is the new American Minister to England.

Congress met for special session on the 15th October. _ ' A Bill has been introduced providing for the coinage of silver dollars of 412-J grains standard of fineness, as provided in the Act of January 18th, 1837, and makes this dollar ]e"al tender at its face value for all debts public and private, except where otherwise provided by contract. It is the most important measure Congress has passed for many years. All legal tenders, issues, and a very laroe portion of interest hearing bonds, will he payable in silver. The Bill is certain to pass the Senate, and become law. Woods’ Museum at Chicago has been burned down. An incendiary fire occurred at Frodericktown, New Brunswick, on October 23, and caused 30,000 dollars’ damages. A second incendiary fire on the 30th October destroyed the Exhibition buildings at Predericktown. Large failures in tbe wool trade are reported, caused by over protection. , Tbe Blackfeet Indians have ceded 50,000 square miles of country to Canada. The railway surveys of Trau’s Continental line in Canada have been completed, and this route to tbe Pacific will shortly be proclaimed. A tidal wave occurred on October the 23rd ©n tbe coast of California. Labor demagogues have been arrested in San Francisco for incendiary speeches and threats to murder. The feeling against the Chinese and monopolies is intense. Society on the Pacific Slope is on the brink of a social volcano. COMMERCIAL. New Yojkk, November 4. Tbe wool market remains dull and unsatisfactory. Few manufacturers have presented themselves during the week ; but their action indicates a desire to purchase only for immediate requirements. Choice grades of spring and fall Californian are in light supply ; but inferior qualities are ample to meet the present limited call. Fleeces are off, quotations being 44c. to 47c. for average X and XX. Foreign clothing continues neglected, and the same be said of carpet stock. Inclu led

in. tiie sales for the week are 20,0001b5. of Australian at 44c.; 10,0001bs. Mexican, 15c,; 102,0001b5. Spring Californian, 21c. and 25c. New York, November 5. The merchandise markets show no improvement. Flour is steady and moderately active; wheat is active at Ic. and lie. higher for spring aud winter; pork is quiet but firm at from 14dol. to 25d015.; groceries are quiet and unchanged; hides dull but firm ; petroleum is dull and lower ; spirits of turpentine steady. San Francisco, November 7. Flour, superfine, sdols. and Sdols. 50o.; shipping extras and cargo lots, fidols. 50c. and 7dels. The wheat market has not wakened from its dull inactive state. At the close of the week’s sales milling was quoted at 2dol. 250. to 2dol. 30c.; shipping, 2dol. 20c. and 2doi. 25c. In barley there is no change, and the market is quiet, but steady ; for feed, Idol. 65e. and Idol. 72Ae.; brewing, Idol. 75e. and Idol. 80c. Colonial oats, feed, Idol. 50c. and Idol. 95c.; milling, Idol, 95c. and 2dol. Isc.