THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5065, 18 June 1877, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

(PER PRESS AGENCY.)

News has been received that a Russian corps with cavalry and artillery crossed the Danube, near Polback, and entered the Dobrudsclia. An engagement was in progress. The Russians have a number of ironclad boats, drawing only a few feet of water, at the mouth of the Dniester, near Akerman, which they hope to safely convey to the Kilia mouth of the Danube, and over the bar to the town of Kilia. The Turkish commander has resolved to make his first stand in the defence of the Dobrudsclia on the line of Kustendge to Tcherhovoda, and has a next defence within the precincts of the quadrangle formed by the fortresses of Rustchuk, Varna, Shumla, and Silistria. Sixteen thousand Turks were despatched from Widin with all baste to Dobrudseha.

The Russian heavy batteries at Ibrail throw shells into the Turkish defences at Matchin.

Eight Turkish soldiers captured near Ibrail were armed with American rifles firing thirtysix cartridges without reloading. Reports are confirmed that the Russians sank a large Turkish monitor in the Danube. A shell penetrated the boiler of the monitor, resulting in an explosion, which fired the magazine. The monitor sank, and the entire crew and 200 soldiers perished.

The World's Ginrgevo despatch says a great battle is impending, and already heavy cannonading is in progress. The Russian army is in fine condition and good spirits. The Turks are in strong force, and severe musketry firing is heard on the other side of the Danube. The outposts are exchanging leaden compliments and the rattle is fearful. From a distance the cannonade pours heavier, and at this rate it will not take long to destroy Rutschuk. The town has been fired by the Russian guus in Olnitza. Matchia was set on fire by the Russian artillery. A Russian infantry corp 3 numbering 52,000 is marching in the direction of Simnitza.

Great preparations are being made by the Russians for an attempt to cross the river between Rassova and Nicopolis. They have brought down by rail .to the bank pontoon bridges and small steamers, and are erecting large fortifications at Islatz and Turnu Magurel (sicJ. Continued concentration of troops in the direction of Simnitza is observable.

The Roumanian shells only reached Turkish vessels off Widin. The barracks and custom house at Kalafat were destroyed and the cKurch injured. Widin was set on fire.

An Englishman reports that the Turkish troops in Widin and its vicinity number about 50,000. Thoy expect an increase of 25,000 from Sophia. A Roumanian vessel full of Russian soldiers has been sunk by Turks.

The Turkish gunboat which passed Kaiafat, under cover of Turkish fire from "VVidin, was captured by a Roumanian battery lower down the river.

Montenegrins hold Duga Pass, blockading Goransko and Nicsic. Suliman Pasha, with 20,000 men, is advancing to relieve Goransko. According to news received from Constantinople, sixteen Bulgarian villages were pillaged and burnt by Turks. In the Turkish village of Turtukai there is quite a Christian element, though subordinate in number to Turks. On the night of the 16th inst. the latter made a general attack' upon the Christian males, who were put to the sword. Many elderly woman shared the same fate, and the younger ones were cruelly outraged. The cries of the victors were distinctly heard by the outposts of the Roumanian army. The account is further corroborated by the reports of two Bulgarians who escaped the slaughter. "Washington, May 7.

Despatches from Constantinople authorize .the Turkish Legation to declare that the news of the persecutions of Christians in villages on the right bank of the Danube is without foundation.

A force resembling the German Landwehr will shortly he called out for the defence of the shores of the Baltic and the Black seas, and it is intended to organise rifle companies in every Kussian town. Along the entire coast, from Cape Adlar to Ptchentichyn, Turkish men-of-war are bombarding settlements. A panic reign 3 not only at Odessa but all along the Black Sea. The Sultan has proclaimed a holy war, and has signed a decree deposing the Prince of Koumania.

Serious differences occurred between the Turkish Chamber and Government. The latter proposed to declare Constantinople in a state of siege, but found it could close Parliament without doing so. The Chamber desired to impeach Nowry Pasha, the Sultan's brother-in-law, for embezzlement.

There was great excitement in Jeddah on May 16 owing to a rumor that a Russian fleet was expected on the Red Sea on May 12. The Persian Envoy has arrived at St. Petersburg to conclude negotiations enabling Russia to march troops through Persian territory. The first collision between the Greek Insurgents and Turkish troops occurred near Armyros, in Thessaly. The Press of Athens unanimously demand war. Meredits have driven the Turks from Oro3chi, after a sanguinary fight wherein the entire Turkish battalion was destroyed. Advices from Scutari announce that the Meredits were defeated in the neighborhoood of Gusings. Two chiefs, Don Primond and Dion, were taken prisoners. Admiral Hassen bombarded the fortifications of Sukhum Kaleh on May 15, and landed troops. A fight ensued, and the Russians were driven out. The town was soon in flames, and the inhabitants joined the Turks, who drove the Muscovite garrison and road guards all over the district, chasing them to Gangrey, which was' also destroyed. Hassen Pasha landed a supply of rifles and cartridges to equip the Circassians, and a formidable local force was organised, to march upon the railway line to Tiflis, aiming at the destruction of Kutais.

Another large band was despatched to raise the country in the rear of the Kussian columns which are attacking Batum. On the 20th May it was officially reported that the Turkish forces were operating near Sukhum.Kaleh, and were attacked by 5700 Russians. The Turks were completely anuihihilated by a company of Cossacks. They took five prisoners besides some arms, and the provisions of the fleet were destroyed at Bourgdjardjare. The Turks shelled Buckell, and tho BashiBazouks plundered the neighboring villages. They also bombarded Tort Nicholas on 29th A pril. / The centre of the Russian army, 40,000 fftroug, underMelikoff, attackedMukhtar Pasha MiZ miles from Kars. The Kussians, who were . by powerful artillery, dislodged the w Turks. Mukhtar called out the reserves on the 30th, and with 60,000 men attempted to recover his lost ground, but was defeated and

driven back under the walls of Kars. Both sides lost heavily. The object of the Russian attack appeared to be to intercept Turkish communication with Erzerum.

On May 1 the Turks occupied the village of Tchikate, west of Kars. A few days later the Russians attempted to carry Kars by a coup de main. They attacked the outer line with a furious but ill-directed cannonade from siege artillery. Powerful Turkish batteries replied with better effect, and the duel was kept up until the Russians brought up their infantry as close as they dared, as if they intended to take the fortifications by storm. The Turkish commander drew together large bodies of troops behind the ramparts, and made a tremendous sortie upon the Russian flank and rear, under the shock of which the Russians were obliged to retreat into a disadvantageous position. A bloody engagement then followed, and the Russians retired, leaving three hundred dead and many wounded on the field. The Russians then commenced to bombard Kars, and invested the city with 50,000 men.' On May 9 the Russians attempted to surround Seghaule, and concentrated their forces to attack the Turkish position at Karbidz and Yenkikari. The Russian force at Bayazid advanced in the direction of Khamouni and Antob, leaving Karakiliva and Alashkirt on their right. A detachment of Cossacks advanced to Baskdag, but were driven back to Kaghisman. The Russian attempted to stop the telegraph wires, but were discovered. On May 17th the Russians advanced to Karakalissa, and a battle was expected. At Toprak Kaleh on the 18th there was a fight between the Russian and Turkish cavalry outside Kars. The Turks lost 64 killed, and the Russians 20 killed and 54 wounded.

The Globe publishes the following, dated Pera: —The Russians gained an important victory between Kars and Erzerum. The Turks retreated upon Erzerum. There are rumors that 14,000 Turks were captured, and this is confirmed.

The Temps, which has occasional communications from a Russian agency, says: —"Our private information confirms the fact that a note has been communicated to the St. Petersburg Cabinet by the English Embassy, on questions connected with Constantinople and the Suez Canal now and hereafter. This document is couched in conciliatory terras. We are assured that an understanding has already been arrived at between Russia and England, both in substance and form as regards the Suez Canal, and in substance as regards Constantinople." FRANCE. The circulation of foreign newspapers in France is only permitted after censorship. The newly-appointed Radicals are disinclined to accept office. Gambetta visits Lyons, Marseilles, and other large towns, to organise Republican resistance. 361 deputies signed protest. Jules Simon on May 4 said the Government could not be responsible for Ultramontane intrigue. The Government is determined to make all parties respect the law. Gambetta protested against the encroachments of the clerical party. The Chamber, by 361 votes against 121, declared that they considered Ultramontane manifestations dangerous to peace, and called upon the Government to use all lawful means for their suppression. A fire at Metz on the 7th May destroyed the roof of the cathedral. On 16th May Jules Simon resigned in consequence of differences with Marshal MacMahon, and on the 17th the whole Cabinet resigned, except the Minister of War. Gambetta on the same day in the Chamber of Deputies said the President had demanded the resignation of the Premier, and said the President's enemies were leading him to ruin. If a dissolution happened the country might see in it a prelude to war. The Right passed a resolution declaring MacMahon's action constitutional.-

The French fleet has been ordered to proceed to Hayti, to enforce the payment of the debt repudiated by the Haytians. On May 18 a new French Cabinet was constituted as follows :—Due de Broglio, President of the Council and Minister of Justice ; De Fourten, Minister of the Interior; Caillaux, Finance ; Count Pari?, 'Public Works ; Viscount de Meaux, Agriculture ; Brunet, Public Instruction. MacMahon declared a firm determination to maintain peace and repress Ultramontane demonstrations. The London Times declares that MacMahon's course is legal. Twenty-one prefects were removed to other places. The Minister of Justice appealed to the moderation of the bishops. The French Ambassadors proceeded to Berlin to reassure Germany. The Italian papers are hostile to England on account of the presence of an English fleet at Crete, and an Italian war steamer took soundings off Drazzo (?). A Turkish war ship' remonstrated. Both ships loaded their guns, but the Turkish authorities avoided a collision. SPAIN. The Basque provinces have been ordered to provide twenty thousand conscripts. Queen Isabella has urged the Pope to dissuade King Alphonso from marrying a princess not of the Catholic faith. The levy of conscripts in the Basque is regarded as dangerous. HOLLAND. There are' large iuvestments in Russian bonds. BERLIN. Bismarck's arrival at Berlin is not the result of a sudden call. The North German, Gazette, a Ministerial organ, reprints from Bismarck's despatches, to show that the appointment of a clerical and monarchical Cabinet in France might prejudice German interests and imperil the maintenance of peace. Von Moltke's speech was intended to acquaint France that-Germany watched her military preparations. The Minister of War visited Alsace and Lorraine to take measures for military movements corresponding to those adopted by France. Two thousand colliers struck in Dartmond District. AUSTRIA. Austro-Hungary has made representations to St. Petersburg and Constantinople against the restrictions of the navigation of the Austrian Danube. The Ambassadors to Constantinople remonstrated against forming a Polish legion which would include Austrian subjects. The insurgents at Grabe burned the barracks and two blockhouses, arid sacked the magazines and Customs at Tynbry. The Government has received assurances from Belgrade that Ser'via will not interfere in the war. Restrictions on the Danube paralyse Hungarian trade. At Vienna, on May 21, it was rumored there were negotiations for an alliance between Germany, Austria, and England. Some papers demand that the approach of the Russians to the Austrian frontier bo regarded a casus belli. ENGLAND. London, May 22. During Whit Monday amusements at Hull a balloon about to ascend was blown against a gas jet and exploded. Eighty-six spectators were injured, six seriously. Thomas Carljle writes to The Times that Disraeli evidently intends to involve England in war against Russia. Sir Stafford Northcote says that the Turks have 400,000 well armed and disciplined troops in Europe, and six gunboats, and that ten boats for landing troops have been ordered. Torpedo gear for the Minotaur has been ordered. During the debate in the House of Commons on the Eastern question Prince Napoleon was in the gallery. The Under-Secretary for War said the Government had no knowledge that Russia had assembled a large force at Lashkind (?Yaskand) for offensive operations. The Times says the var party is a small minority.

The army clothing factories are worked without intermission, and arrangements have been made for the embarkation of 25,000 men in six days if necessary, and 25,000 more within a foitnight after. English statesmen think Russia will not venture on the occupation of Constantinople, fearing as a consequence a general European The Government has stopped the armament of vessels being built for Turkey leaving the Victoria Docks. AMERICA. The Chicago Court House fell in while being built, killing twelve men and injuring nearly twenty. A carriage containing five persons was run into by a train at Dompton. Three were killed and two fatally injured. A Fenian movement is recorded in Ohio. A call was made for gaining possesion of Ireland, in the event of England being drawn into war. The steamship Sidonian, from Glasgow to New York, was blown up. Several people were killed. The steamer was spoken going under sail. At Chicago, after a strike among coal miners, the old hands after being taken back poisoned the food of the new hands, and several died. The authors of the plot were not discovered. An extensive fire at Stephens, New Brunswick, destroyed 95 buildings, and many families were rendered homeless. Property worth half a million dollars was destroyed. Devastating forest fires are reported along the Hudson, at Otawa, North Conway, and Upper Bartlett, New Hampshire. At Clinton Mills lately a thriving township was totally destroyed, not a house having been left standing. Three quarters of a million dollars worth of property was wrecked. The devastation in Wisconsin was terrible. There was one continuous blaze of 120 miles. The whole side of the White Mountains were on fire at one time, and there was two miles of blaze near South Berwick, Maine. Harrowing accounts are being received of families burnt out at St. Clair. A mine explosion killed nine men and maimed five others. The Secretary of War at Washington has issued orders for the discharge of 1500 men, thus reducing the army to 25,000. A body of 1100 cavalry has left for Fort Lincoln in search of Sitting Bull, who is supposed to have encamped on Yellowstone with 500 warriors. Forty-seven Indian lodges surrendered to General Mails on the Yellowstone. The war in Columbia is virtually ended. The Conservatives have been twice defeated at Mangath and Rio Hacha, and General Tezella is now the popular candidate for the next Presidency of Columbia. The Archbishop of Quito was poisoned on Good Friday while saying Mass, by strychnine introduced into the Eucharist. There was great excitement. The perpetrator has not been discovered. A terrible storm visited Marion, Indiana, on May 21. Churches were destroyed. One church was blown down while full of worshippers. A terrible scene followed. Several were killed, and nearly all injured. Somerville, a New York lawyer, tried for complicity in a safe burglary, has supplied full details, implicating several others. The New York Jlerald says it is reported that the invasion of Mexico is to take the shape of a formidable immigration movement. Ex-President Grant has gone to visit London. Steamships leaving New York for Europe on May 11th andl2th took 100,000 bushels of grain and nearly one million pounds of fresh meat. A sindicate of American bankers has agreed to buy, and Secretary Sherman has agreed to sell two million dollars worth of 51-2 per cent, bonds each month, and gold will not be sold; or if it is sold for legal tender, notes of the latter will be held to redeem fractional notes to the extent that fractional notes are outstanding. The earthquake at Iquiqui was destructive principally in the harbor. Seventeen vessels were destroyed, but the loss of life was not great. The influence was felt as far as Bolivia. COMMERCIAL. San Franctsco, May 22. The Chronicle reports :—Wheat quiet and steady. The chartering of several vessels to load for Europe indicates active movement as soon as the new crop begins to come in ; but they have been taken with long lay days, and more in anticipation than tomeet immediate requirements. It is generally expected that as soon as the new wheat makes its appear ance prices will decline ; but the English markets justify the shippers in paying 2 dols. 50 cents per cental and £2 freight, and fair shipping wheat connot now be quoted at over 2dol. 50c. The movement in carley is limited. Notwithstanding the presence of famine in some portions of India, it 13 estimated that the export of wheat from Calcutta alone to England will this year amount to 125,000 or 150,000 tons. The increase in this source of supply is marked. New York, May 22. Hides active, 21c. to 22c; whale oil dull at 65 to 70c; winter bleached, 75 to 80c; sperm oil dull at Idol. 25c. to Idol. 28c; winter bleached, Idol. 50c to Idol. 55c Californian wool quiet—fall clip, 15c. to 20c; spring, 20c. to 30c. New York wheat dull and lower, 2dol. 20c. to 2dol. 30c. Flour dull. Cotton steady. Liverpool, May 22. Californian wheat, 12s. 6d. to 13s. ; club, 13s. 2d to 13s. 6d. The latest quotations for kerosene are—Devoe's brilliant, in 100 case lots, 34c. for screw tops and 35c. for faucet cans ; oleophine, 35c; photolite, 33c.-; Downer's, 50c The Russian attacking force which captured Ardahan numbered 8000, besides several thousands in front of the town. During the Turkish flight the Russian cavalry inflicted a loss of 700 on the enemy, whose force, numbering 15,000 Bashi-Bazouks and Kurds, moved northwards from Lake Vou to join the Turkish forces at Korakalissa. General Kokeleffs force of Circassians and Cossackß is intended to lead the advance of the invading army on the Dannbe, and has passed through Bucharest. The Porto has notified to the European Powers that it has blockaded all the ports in the Black Sea. Kossuth has written urging an alliance between Hungary and Turkey to protect their independence from the common enemy, Russia. All the Hungarian papers urge action by Au-ti-.j-Hungary. Large troop ships will soon be ready in Portsmouth, and thousands of barrels of powder are being sent to Malta. It in rumored that Turkey will cede the sovereignty of Egypt to England for the consideration of the payment of the capitalised amount of the tribute due from Egypt to Turkey. All Musselmen in Herzegovina and Bosnia betwen fifty and sixty years of age are ordered to join the army. Russia reports that an English steamer endeavoring to enter Kertch without the necessary precautions was totally destroyed by a torpedo. The Bulgarian refugees in Roumania are being armed. Lieut.-General Sir John Simmonds will be the Commander-in-Chief of tho English army, if it be sent to the seat of war. The Turkish force sent to Sukhum Kaleh, to aid the Circassians, numbered 10,000. The Russian forces in Roumania are estimated at 240,000. Tho Turkish force to the north of the Balkans is stated at 250,000. The destructive effect of the Turkish needlegun is said to have compelled the strengthening of the Russian army. Twenty-five thousand Northumberland colliers are on strike.

Fifty thousand deaths have occurred from cholera in India.