THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5210, 3 December 1877, Page 2

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, Friday. [There was a delay in the transmission of this message by telegraph, otherwise it would have appeared in our issue of Saturday.] WAR NEWS. A telegraphic despatch dated Belgrade, October 11, says Russia has undertaken to pay Servia one million roubles monthly from the time the Servian army is sent to the frontier. London, October 13. A Belgrade special says the Cabinet has unanimously and definitely settled upon terms of agreement with Russia. This probably refers to the agreement concerning the subsidy of a million roubles. ' The troops are marching to the frontier ready for an offensive movement on the part of the Turks. October 11. The cold, the rain, and the lack of winter clothing are causing great mortality in the Russo-Roumanian army. The number of deaths for the last twenty days ax - e—of the army before Plevna 5000, of the Czarewitoh’s 4800, in the Dobrudscha 3000, and at Tirnova and Schipka Pass 2000. The Russians in Bulgaria, including reinforcements, number only 23,000 combatants. October 12. A correspondent at the Czarewitch’s head quarters at Daly Monaster telegraphs under date Wednesday as follows:—The severe storm of cold wind and rain which began a week ago still continues. The camps are literally lakes of mud, and all the roads are impracticable except the highway between Bella and Rutschuk. The sufferings of the soldiers is indescribable. No preparations have been made for winter weather, and those who lost their tents and overcoats in their retreat from the Dorn amontn ago have not yet been supplied with others. Constantinople, October 12. The sentence of death passed on Geshoffs has been commuted to one of exile. Belgrade, October 13. Prince Milan has received a note couched in conciliatory terras from the Porte, pointing out that the armaments of the Servians are prejudicial to the good relations which the Porte greatly desires to preserve. Bucharest, October 13. There can be no doubt that a number of Hungarians really crossed the frontier ; but so far nothing is known of their further movements. They are said to be nearly all infantry ; and should they advance far, will undoubtedly be captured—and if they resist, will be killed or executed as brigands. The Roumanian Prefect of Methedivitzi has gone to Orstova to remonstrate with the authorities. He was informed that the greatest service Roumauia could do the Austrian Government would be to shoot the intruders. The raiders are former Hungarian republicans. London, October 15. The Times summary of the strength of the Russian army of the Danube is that only 200,000 men have crossed the Danube, of which 60,000 have been disposed of by battle or disease. Of the Imperial Guard only 60,000 will reach the front fit for service, so that the reinforced army will again amount to 200,000. This includes Roumanians, but not the Dobrudscha column of 30,000. The writer estimates Osman Pasha’s army as, reinforced, at 100,000, and Sulieman Pasha’s about the same, so that the combatants have equal forces. Turkish reports from Schipka represent military operations there as entirely suspended by the weather. A special from Therapia states that the Russians attacked Sulina and destroyed part of the town, but were beaten off. October 10. A correspondent at Cettinje reports that the bulk of the Montenegrins have been dismissed to sow their crops. A correspondent at Sistova gives a favorableaccount of the Russian preparations for the winter campaign. Fast stores of corn and forage have been laid in at the depots along the railroad, but the mud is frightful on the road. Two miles south of Simnitza bridge it takes eight horses and twenty men pushing behind to get a light waggon through. The railway to Simnitza is progressing rapidly. The Imperial Guards have all gone to Plevna, and the Czarewitch will not command them, to avoid clashing with the Prince of Roumania, October 17. Several telegrams from the Turldsh side report an improvement of the weather on the Lom, and the prospect of an engagement at Kadikoi. Heavy cannonading has commenced at Schipka Pass. It is true that Servia intimated to the Porte her intention to strictly observe neutrality. This is due solely to the fact that she has not yet finished preparations, and is waiting for a fitting opportunity to openly assume the offensive against Turkey, which will probably coine with a Russian victory at Plevna. A Berlin correspondent states that the Porte is dissatisfied with the evasive answer of Greece to its previous communication, and has sent a second sharp note protesting against the non-punishment of those who attempted to raise the insurrection in Thessaly, and proposing a reduction of the Greek army. The Turks have withdrawn their artillery from the second Gravitza redoubt. The Russians fear that the redoubt is mined. Vienna, October 16.

Financiers who in January agreed to supply 25,000,000 florins at any time before the end of October, in view of possible Austrian mobilisation, have been already informed that money is needed. The Hungarian invasion of Eoumania is positively declared to be a hoax. London, October 15.

The Roumanians report that deser, era from Plevna report Osman Pasha’s army destitute of clothing and ammunition, and that there is

a . sc^r city of Men and officers are tired of fighting and suffering, and are disposed to surrender.

October 20. Bussian bulletins from Plevna say that siege operations are progressing. The fire has been Concentrated upon one point, and appears to have considerable effect.

Sulieman Pasha is concentrating on the Lom in front of the Czarewitoh’s left wing, with the intention of attacking as weather permits.

Forty Turkish soldiers who deserted Osmau Pasha’s camp to-day declare there was so little food at Plevna that men only got a pound of bread for twenty-four hours ; that there were 130,000 men in Plevna who could only be made to surrender by hunger. Constantinople, October 21. In consequence of Mukhtar Pasha’s disaster all the troops in Constantinople are being sent hastily to Trebizond. Aohmet Pasha will go immediately to take command at Erzerum. Aarif Pasha, who will be the new Turkish Ambassador to Paris, is instructed to state on what terras Turkey would make peace if the Powers wish to mediate. Sulieman Pasha telegraphs that the Russians have incorporated 18,000 Bulgarians with their army, and he expects to be attacked. He has entrenched himself so as cover Bustchuk. - London, October 21. A Bucharest despatch says a General formerly in the American army and the correspondent of the New York Tribune, has been expelled from P.oumauia by the Russians because he served iu tire Turkish army during the Crimean war. This measure appears illadvised and severe, Bucharest, October 21. A late telegram from Belgrade says a detachment of Russians has arrived at that place, but the positions at Sonik and Kadikoi are retained for the present by the Turks. It seems evident, however, that a retrograde movement has commenced. Sulieman Pasha has gone to make a personal inspection of the fortifications of Rustchuk. A special from Tanak dated Saturday says the Turks have evacuated Kadikoi for fear the Russians would block their communications with Rustchuk, and have evacuted Rasgrad. The Russian cavalry from the Dobrudscha have advanced as far as Kavana. London, October 23. A correspondent telegraphs from Ragusa that the inhabitants of the Kassowioh district iu Montenegro, numbering 21,000, are stricken with famine. The Porte authoritatively denies that Colonel Valentine Baker and other English officers have been sent to Constantinople. A correspondent in Plevna telegraphs that the Turks are actively constructing new interior lines of formidable defences. Cases of sickness are comparatively rare. The provisions have never failed, but it is impossible to provide fodder. The same correspondent telegraphs from Sophia under date Sunday as follows:—Six thousand provision carts are now on the road to Plevna. Osman Pasha has ordered all the Circassian irregulars, Bulgarians, and noncombatant Mahommedans to quit Plevna. v October 26. A Bucharest correspondent says that after making a tour of inspection of the Czarewiteh’s position he is convinced that the winter campaign is impossible with the existing transport system. Already the fodder supply fails for days. October 27. Pro-Russian sympathisers here are greatly exhilarated by General Gourka’s successful raid. The cutting off of the Turkish line of supplies via the Sophia-road to Plevna is become a question of serious disaster to the Turks, aud more important to the Czar than would have been the success so desperately contested for in assaulting Lovatz and Gravitzka. It severs Osman Pasha’s communication with all points west of Plevna, and cuts him off from needed winter supplies and his line of retreat, and menaces his rear, so as to compel the erection of defences in that direction. The success was effected by the combined Russian forces appearing simultaneously from the north and -aoutK... of. .T?lowacy,- tHuo OQnooati’atmg a.fc tlio point of attack. It looks as if the investment of Plevna was now complete. October 28. A Russian official dispatch from Poredin says that the Grand Duke Nicholas inspected on Thursday the battlefield. The troops are elated by their victory. A Bucharest correspondent says the Russians are fortifying a position at Dubrink and Telianhe, as they are threatened with a combined attack by Osman and Chefket Pashas. A letter dated Adrianople, October 15, says 2000 refugee women and children were still there. A special from Sophia says that Chefket Pasha at the head of a strong force is advancing to the relief of Plevna. Osman Pasha’s array is amply provisioned and supplied, and is in fine condition. Plevna will hold out. Edinburgh, November 6. The Scotsman's London correspondent says that in political circles there is great expectation that the Earl of Beaconsfield will shortly make a speech on the Eastern Question which will provoke the renewal of last year’s excitement and agitation. It is reported that he will put his foot dowu on the question of opening the Dardanelles to Russia aud her vessels. Report says that Mehemet Ali has arrived at Sophia to organise and command an army for the defence of the western Balkan passes. GENERAL EUROPEANS NEWS. Paris, November i. There is a political crisis iu France. Little is known of the results of the elections for the Councils. The Duo de Broglie, Admiral Kaucatore, and Le Noury failed to obtain reelection. Tonguet (Bonapartist) has been elected in the place of the former. November 5. The returns of the departmental elections so far show that twenty-eight Republicans aud nine Conservatives have been elected to the Councils General, and the Republicans have elected eight new members. The Duo de Broglie’s defeat by a Bonapartist a great sensation, and will have considerable influence on the decision of the Government. November 5, later. The returns this hour show 567 Republicans and 350 Conservatives elected to CouncilsGeneral. The Republicans have gained 85 seats, and claim large gains in the elections to the Councils from the arrondissements. Quertier was found an insurmountable obstacle in forming a Cabinet.