LATE NEWS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 455, 12 January 1878, Page 3

LATE NEWS.

(From our Exchanges.}

London January 3rd. Earl Carnarvon, in addressing a deputation of Cape colonists/ said that England was unprepared to bolster up Turkish interests, purely as such. England bad not offered mediation as was supposed, but had made actual overtures for peace. The Turks hold Sophia.

The Russians have advanced between the Ikhman defile and Sophia, thus cutting off the Turkish retreat to Adrianople. The Turks propose an armistice on the basis of each party retaining whatever territory has been gained. It is reported the Fenian prisoners will shortly be released. January 4lh. Earl Carnarvon, replying to a question as to the policy of the Government, declared circumstances were not materially changed since Earl Derby's speech in November. The rejection by the Russians of mediation is no affront to England, adding that nobody desired a repetition of the Crimea. Wool unchanged, ?few Zealand hemp firm. ]\ T ew Zealand Four and a-half Per Cent Loan, 105. January oth. A severe engagement has taken place at Teteven (23 miles south-west of Lovatz). The Eussian loss was 700, and the Turks retreated with a loss of GOO, Baker Pasha covering the retreat. Erzeroum is completely invested. The Russians will not bombard the town, owing to the majority of its inhabitants being Christians, but will reduce it by famine. Austria declines to support the action of England. There is great agitation throughout En.jjland against going to war, and numerous ex-Parliamentary speeches have been made. It is stated that the Cabinet is divided—that the Premier, the Hon. Gathorne Hardy, and Lord Cairns form the war section, and that Lord Salisbury, Earl Carnarvon, Mr. Cross, and Lord | Derby are against it, while the other I KPmbers are doubtful. Frequent meeting* have been held throughout England in favor of the maintenance of British neutrality. Gourko is successfully advancing on Sophia, and the Turks falling back on Ichtitiman. Cardinal Manning has proposed a conclave of cardinals at Malta* but the Italian cardinals object. i January 6th. | Before replying to the Sultan, the B-it-ish Government will endeavor to ascertain the conditions on which Russia will conclude peace.