CABLEGRAMS.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 149, 18 May 1877, Page 5

CABLEGRAMS.

London, May 9. The Turks have commenced bombarding Kalafat, the. Roumanian batteries replying. '.'...■ I It is reported that Germany has increased the ' number of troops in Alsace and Lorraine. May 11. Turkish accounts state the Russians attempted to cross the Danube at Reni, near the mouth of the Pruth, but were defeated with great. loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. . The Government declines to take action towards the establishment of a Colonial Museum this year. The Brindisi portion of the Aiistralian mail was delivered hi London on the 7th. Money firm ; Consols, 94. • i ! ■ ■ ■ - : •

Bombay, May 13. Iquique, on the- west coast of South America, has been destroyed by an earthquake. The debate on Mr Gladstone's resolutions was continued. The majority of the Conservatives' go with the Whigs for neutrality. The Liberals are divided, some favouring the dismemberment of Turkey, and others disagree with Gladstone. . ' . '

, '' ' ' '.London, May 13.. (Received at Sydney after midnight on the 14th.) ... ...... • The Roumanian accounts of the battle of.Rehi are.not yet confirmed. The Russian batteries at Ibrailia (or Brah'ilov) sank a Turkish ironclad, which went down with; 200 men. The.Roumanian. Chamber of Deputies liave passed a resolution to authorise securing the independence of the Principality. Official' despatches. state that the Russian troops have arrived at Daia, which is a few lhiles, above Guirgevo. 7 .. The Turkish official accounts state that: the Russian.'corps cVarmee unsuccessfully ! attacked entrenchments near BatOum, and .were'repulsedwithaloss of 40,000 (?)men. The3ritish squadron in the Me'diter- . raneaii has been' ordered to Port Said (Suez. Canal). ' ' ." " ' A■ A V"'V"':. ' "' : -'-' A.A 'May 14.'-,.; In the House 1 of Commons,' Sir Stafford " _Torthcote said; that althcmgh Russia might ''blockade- Egypt; the policy'of the Govern-: i merit wW/to maintain' a*;strict 'neutrality.." .There was 'no'reason why Sve should -fight; ' when tlie 'road/to India was .untouphedi . ...y ' .'" Mr Gladstone's motion was rejected iby ■354.;t0-%23yti&.AA)AA:AAZ- A['\ I ;-..-'; •■•' Mr'HlS. l'Wolfe'si amendment', declaring' that the House declines to entertain any

resolution hampering the Government witlioiit'-indicating ah alternative policy, .was carried without T a division, ' / ' .'/ ' ; -■'■ '/*■'*■- "/'-;-'. .l ;/ May 16: Russian despatches say that; thiir losses in the engagement near YBatoum, were trifling, while the Turkish losses were enormous. ' . . : , ■ A division of the Russian army has crossed the Danube, and entered Dobrudscha. An engagement is now proceeding.