LATEST CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5242, 11 January 1878, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

(RENTER'S SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.) London, 9th January. Despatches which were published yesterday from special correspondents, stating that the Turks had abandoned Schipka Pass, and that Ratdetsky had occupied Kesanik, are declared unfounded. Preliminary negotiations for an armistice are reported to have been opened, but success is considered improbable. The Turks are still holding Schipka. The Russians failed to pass Trojan. The Turks defeated the Servians at Novi Bazar, and retook Kershuma. The Russians have occupied Sladitza. The Turks are retreating on Bazardjik. Raouf Pasha has been appointed Com-mander-in-Chief of the Turkish European army, Sulieman Pasha consenting to command a corps. Ihe Russians found eight thousand wounded in Sophia. The Turkish delegates have been named to treat for an armistice, which is now thought probable. The Turkish Parliament demands the abolition of the Council of War. The Danube is frozen. A quantity of arms, intended for Turkey, has been seized by the Government at Cardiff. Russia demands four thousand Servians, to assist in operations at Adrianople. The French Chamber has again met. The King of Italy is in a very precarious state of health, and is worse to-day. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, Thursday. Affairs here are becoming alarming. Yesterday a number of unclassified officers of long standing were dismissed without notice or claim for compensation. Further dismissals are contemplated in various public departments, including the Chief Commissioner of Police. The public works are stopped, and a large number of working men thrown out of employment! The compensation allowances for classified officers is enormous. The Police Magistrates have received £40,000 (sic.) Mr. Berry has addressed the people of Geelong, and then mass meetings at Melbourne; Next the supporters of the Government addressed their respective constituents on the causes of the . present , crisis. The wildeskexcitement prevails. The Governor in his speech at the opening of the Portland railway, in alluding to the state of affairs, said he felt it his duty to give support to the ! Government so long as they, kept within the law and retained the confidence of a majority of, the people. His position was one of strict neutrality. That view was taken . by the Imperial authorities. : The Civil service is in a state of disorganisation consequent on the uncertainty as to who will be dismissed next. No one discharged to-day, presumably owing to the, absence of seven members of the Cabinet at Portland. Licenses cannot be granted in the absence of the police magistrates.. The Nelson has been reduced to a frigatearm iment, accordingly the Victoria.has been .. placed under the command of Captain Man-; deville, to act in concert with the Cerberus. ‘ It has been agreed to invite tenders for fifty cases of torpedoes.* Sir W. Jervois goes to Adelaide to-night, and leaves for .England in the Stad Amsterdam on the 9th February. : Sydney, Thursday. Arrived : The war vessel Sappho.