ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1342, 18 August 1877, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

[By Telegraph ]

Auckland, August 12th. The Australia did not call at Honolulu. She was only using one boiler when she came in.

WAR NEWS.

The Roumanian Government, before sending troops across the Danube, consulted Austria. The latter ieplied she was indifferent if Servian neutrality was respected. Two thousand men are working on the fortifications of Constantinople. In crossing the Danube, the Russians made the disposition under cover of night. Boats and troops were collected in the willows, under strong covering parties of infantry with field guns. The whole force crossed in boats, the Turks keeping up a sharp fire. When sufficient bad collected on the Bulgarian side, they charged the Turks, driving them back. The Turkish loss in the engagement is estimated at 1000. The Russians had 300 killed, ,and 400 wounded.

The Czar, at Bucharest, issued a proclamation to the Bulgarians on the crossing, expressive of Wa solicitude for the Christians, stating the mlfera of the army was to secure the sacred rigfikof nationality acquired by centuries of suffering' and blood of martyrs which has soaked the soiL Russia is called by the decrees of providence to conciliate or pacify all races and denominations in Bulgaria. Henceforth Russian arms will protect every Christian against all violence. The proclamation promises equal protection to Mussulmans, but impartial justice upon known participators in atrocities. It announces that as fast as the Russians advance Turkish rule will be replaced by a regular organisation, in which the native inhabitants will be summoned to take part, under the supreme direction of special authorities. Bulgarian legions are to be formed to serve as a nucleus of a local armed force destined to maintain order and security. Horrible sacking followed the capture of Sistova. It is attributed by the Russians to the native Bulgarians, but really was perpetrated by the Russians themselves. In the House of Commons, Sir Stafford Northcote denied that Sagard Hay (?) asked permission for the conditional occupation of Constantinople. Prince Bismarck, in an interview with the British Ambassador, Baid the occupation of Constantinople would be the pnrpose for which the war was begun. The British Fleet has been strengthened to 24 ships and 8000 men. Two torpedo boats have' been sent to the Danube "to protect British interests."

By Julr 5 over 12,000 Russians had crossed the Danube at Simnitza, with an immense train* of artillery, comprising some pieces of rerr heavy ordnance. The enthusiasm of the Russian troops is very great. The cavalry marches about 20 kilometres in advance of the infantry. As the Turks hare no proportionate amount of cavalry to meet them, the Russians are scouring the country up to the foot of the Balkans. A Russian force making a demonstration at Bielacame upon Turks in force much sooner than expected, and suffered severely. Several hundred wounded reached Bucharest from this engagement. The Turks laid waste a large portion of Bulgaria, for, the purpose of preventing the Russians from provisioning their army. The harvest was carried off,' fruit trees felled, and the torch had been applied to large grass plains. Everything that would be of any use to, the invading army was removed or destroyed, and the people left in utter destitution, .The utmost consternation prevails among the unfortunate people, who see no prospact before them but famine and pestilence, added to the horrors of war.

The want of commissariat was seriously felt by the Russians, who proposed to construct a railway from Sistova to Tirnova, to convey provisions for the supply of troops and the starving inhabitants. The Russian army in the Dobrudscha found that section utterly devastated by the retreating Turks, and were detained by the necessity of creating supply depots from Sistova!. The Russians advanced as far as Monarter, about 25 miles south-west of Rustchuk. A detachment inarched upon Selva and Plevna, and burned four villages between these points. Turkish accounts charge the Russians with reckless devastation in Bulgaria, and murderous outrages against Musselmans. The Russians make similar chaages against the Turks with reference to Bulgarian Christians. Complete anarchy prevails beyond the Hoes of the contending armies. Bulgarians acd Circassian Tartars -.are murdering each other indiscriminately. * Ex-Colonel Valentine Baker accompanied Raonff , Pasha to Adrianople. Constantinople is under a reign of terror. Great crowds are desperate and lawless; the soldiery fill public places ; Circassians and Debiks go about the city robbing and murderlog with impunity. A body of Russian cavalry with one battery ■rjprisea Tirnova and captured the Turkish "dtp with, ammunition and baggage. The Turks retreated -to Osman Bazar when the Tan of the Russian army crossed the Balkans.

The fighting in Bulgaria has amounted to little more than outpost affairs. The Turkish. aoadrilateral remains intact and threatening to lie 120,000 Russians said to be across the Danube at Sistova. General Zimmerman crossed at Ibr&il, and swept the Dobrndscha. His 30,000 men were opposed by garrisons at SHirtria, Varna, and'-ETustenji, respectively— 22,000, 20,000, and 10,000. Rustchuk was actively bombarded up to June 28th. Seven hundred persons in the town, including many women and children, were killed. The Russians attempted the storming, but were repulsed. Se reral Bulgarians hrve been arrested at Ruatchuk on the charge of assisting Russians la fomenting insurrection, also with distributing petroleum to fire the town. The Russians were attacked simultaneously by Osman Pasha at Plevna and Alimed Eyoub Pascha at Monastin. The fight lasted all Thursday and Friday— the Turks getting the advantage. An official despatch, to Constantinople, July 18th, announces that Eyoub Pasha attacked the Russians under Grand Duke Nicholas, north of Tirnova, and defeated them, with a loss of 1200.

Turkish monitors destroyed the bridge at Sistova, and one monitor was subsequently sunk by a torpedo. The Porte officially declares that Russians have burned alive inhabitants of Jonia, near Tirnova, who had taken refuge in the mosque. A. Shumla despatch says 5000 waggon loads of Turks — old men, women, and children — are on tie road from Eseyuma and Oaman Bazar to Shumla. . Horrible massacres have been committed by Russians and Bulgarians at Tir nova,' Grahowa, and Hyana. From all directifrns'f agitives in large numbers are coining in,

who state that in districts'occupied by Russians most terrible cruelties are perpetrated on the Mahommedan population by Cossacks and Bulgarians. Mahommedan children and old men have been slaughtered, and women violated and carried off.

Official despatches substantially corroborate these statements. The greatest panic exists among the Mahommedans in the civil population, who are fleeing as fast as they can. The Russians met no resistance in crossing the Balkan*, till they reached the village at the outlet of the Pass, which they surprised. An encounter occurred between Cossacks and a party of B&shi-Bazouks and Circassiana, supported by Turkish infantry. Russian reinforcements arriving, the Turks fled, leaving standards and arms.

The Turks claim the victory, with great slaughter of the Russian force, south of the Balkans, 12 miles from Yeni Saghra, driving them back on the Balkans. One correspondent telegraphs : After blockading the fortresses of the Quadrilateral, 100,000 men are available for crossing the Balkans by the western line of invasion, exclusive of General Zimmerman's Army in the eastern section.

The Emir of Cabool has received a Turkish envoy on a mission. The Emir undertakes to furnish to petty chiefs in Central Asia a force of men, and a supply of arms and money, to harass the Russian forces wherever they can strike them. A Russian expedition in Cabool would at once open the Anglo-Indian and Russian difficulty, and might compel the interference of England. Greek volunteers, arriving en masse from Turkey, are enrolled in the Greek Army. Reserves are being called out, and military defensive measures are progressing. A Constantiple correspondent says : Hobart Pasha had a long interview with the Sultan yesterday, who gave him permission to commaud an expedition to the Black Sea, with complete liberty of action. The Turks have withdrawn all troops from the Montenegrin frontier, except the garrisons of the ports and blockhouses. Prince Nicholas is preparing to besiege Nicsic again. The Turks made a brave resistance at Nicopoli3, the Russians losing heavily in storming heights over the town, one account sayd. All others state that the Turks evacuated before the Russians entered, and made good their retreat.

The Russian disaster in Asia is confirmed. They were attacked by the garrison of Batoum, who defeated the besiegers with great slaughter. A correspondent from Tiflis writes that Mukhtar Pasha's brilliant generalship must be acknowledged. His troops fought like demons incarnate. All the tribes in the Caucasus are in armed revolt against the Russians. General Melikoff is entrenching himself. Other forces have been hastily recalled from all available points, and will make a stand and wait for reinforcements in a strong position. The Russian garrison at Bayazid made a gallant resistance against 13,000 Turks, who besieged the town and bombarded it. After a brave defence the garrison was relieved by General Terquasson. He found the garrison in a fearful condition, almost starved, and suffering loathsome diseases incidental to camp life. The Turkish siege had made sad havoc with the original force 3.f orce3. Many dead were lyin~ unburied in the confusion, forming a horrible mass, and the stench arising from the bodies wa3 awfuL The dead and wounded numbered 500.' The survivors had lived on horseflesh for a long time. Vermin tormented them, the bad water had a debilitating effect, and a blazing sunshine added to these placed them in a pitiful state of weakness and inefficiency. The Russian victory was of short duration. Fresh arrivals of Turkish troops caused Terquasson to evacute.^ In doing so he had a sharp engagement with the enemy, resulting in the loss of 200 and a heavy ambulance'train. The crescent once mere floats over Bayazid. A St Petersburg despatch says that, after the reinforcement of the Army of the Caucasus, if necessary^ with troops from the central Asiatic frontier, a seconu invasion of Armenia is meditated commencing with the capture of Batoum, and the suppression of Circassian rebellion.

Advices from St Petersburg state, that a reserve of Cossacks, consisting of battalions — in all 20,000 men— are preparing to follow 12,000 men who have already marched from Saratove for Armenia.

Dirvish Pasha telegraphs from Batoum on July 7th, that two Turkish frigates had bombarded and burned Chevekitel, and landed a force, which defeated the garrison and compelled them to abandon the town. The object of the expedition thus being attained, the frigates re-embarked the troops, and returned to Batoum from the scene of the insurrection in the Caucasus.

It is reported that the Russians have resumed the offensive. General Alkboschoff marched on July 15fch, from Tokveli to Tkuf che on right bank of the GoKgese— drove the enemy from their entrenched position — forced them behind Moka, and occupied Goumrie, 20 miles north of Sukum Kaleh.

AMERICA.

The war with the Idaho Indians is still raging, and more massacres have occurred. On the 10th July the Indian chief Joseph surprised a party of 31 Chinamen passing down the River Clear Water in boats, and slaughtered all but one. General Howard encountered the Indians on the 12th July, driving them from a strong position, killing many and pursuing them in the direction of Comas Prairie. Another skirmish occurred on the following day. Howard has been accused of bungling the campaign. .a serious Orange riot occurred at Montreal on the 12th July. One man was killed and three were wounded. During the procession a mob attacked the lodge roam with stones, and f ,ho Orangemen replied with pistals. Several persona were wounded. The conduct of the Mayor and the police is much condemned. The rioting continued for several days. The military were called out. The funeral of the murdered man was the occasion of great excitement^ The cortege passed between police and soldiers. The wildest rumours were circulated in the city. Fearful tornados^ have occurred in Ohio. At Indiana, a whole family was buried beneath the ruins of their house. Many were killed in other towns. A terrible whirlwind occurred at Milwaukee. All but three houses in the town were demolished, and six persons were killed. The storm tore up large trees as if reeds, and whirled them in the air. At Baltimore on July 16th, 40 firemen on the railway struck on account oi a decrease of wages. Next day, with 400 friends, they attacked a train which Colonel Faulkner and 75 soldiers were protecting. The soldiers fiied, killing one and wounding several. By last advices, the riotera were still nnquelled, the presence o* the military making them further exasperated.

Great damage has ensued 'in Ecuador, byfloods. At Cotopaxi oa 26th June, a great noise was heard, and a tremendous cataract dashed down three rivers, -washing away cattle, haciendoes, ana several persons. ! United States troops have been despatched across the Mexican border, in consequence of aids.

The Now York Herald's reporter at Salt Lake describes Mormon massacres equalling that at Mountain Meadows.

A loan will be raised by England to rebuild St. John's.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN.

Charles Bradlaugh and Mrs Eesant have been condemned to six months' imprisonment, to pay a fine cf L2OO each, and to enter into an engagement for their good behaviour for two years. Pending arguing a technical point in the indictment, they were released on tha understanding njfc to continue publishing. Four of the best-knewn detectives in Scotland Yard — Druscovitch, Meiklejohn, and Froggart and Plimmer — have been charged with conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice in a recent confidence case, in which betting men swindled the Countess of Goucourt out of LIO.OOO. Froggart was admitted to bail, and remanded.

The 12fch July passed quietly in London and provinces.

The Rotunda Theatre, Liverpool, has been burned.

' In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary said no petition for a British protectorate had been received from Samoa, and there was no wish to undertake it.

Lord Beaconsfield has no intention to re sign.

On July 2nd. the House sat from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m. next day. There were 18 purely obstructive divisions and several attempts to count out.

The introduction of the Colorado beetle into German harbours has caused rigorous inspection.

It_ is thought Count Andrassy makes his retention of office dependant on the settlement of the Au3tro-Hungarian compromise. An Alexandria despatch says a force with 24 cannon and 14,000 Iteming ion rifles is leaving Adona for the frontier to encounter the revolted King Meulk. The King of Abyssinia expressed his willingness to resign in favour of Alamyo, the son of the late King Theodore. General Grant vras cordially received in Belgium by the King. Latest accounts from the famine districts of Madras are worse. There is great mortality from disease. .The situation in Mysore is critical. In Bombay the prospects are more cheering. Paris. Dissensions between Legitimists and Bonapartists are becoming very marked. A Marseilles paper has been prosecuted for publishing insulting articles on President MacMahon. The Bonapartiats claim the Government support for 250 'candidates. The Moniteur says the Conservative gain will be large. The Bonapartiats held a grand Counc'l at Chiselhurst. The French ironclad Reine Blanche has been ran dowa by another ironclad, the Heroine. No lives were lost.

Halifax. The counsel for Great Britain are preparing an answer to the American case filed.

Havannah. It is reported that a very large force of troops invaded Banco Villa 3 Territory. A battle was fought at the Crossing, at which over 100 Spaniards were killed. Since then, another heavy encounter has occurred, and three uien-of-war have been ordered to sea in great haste. Yellow fever is raging among the 20,000 troops brought out last winter, and discontent is rampant. The Turkish troops which were to have garrisoned the Greek frontier have been ordered io join tha army in Bulgaria,