Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-15

lcnge, 10 order to make political capital out OF
it, by makiug it the basis both of criminal
suit and Of resolution of expulsion.
The Eastern War.
A Russian dispatch says that 90 Thursday
sixty battalions of Turks attacked the forces OF
the Grand Duke Vladimir all along the line,
directing, however, their principal efforts agal1st
the left and oeD,ro. They attacked Metctka
six times, but we're each time rcpu|scd with
great loss. At one p. N. the Th1ty-htth dl
Vision Of the Twelfth Russian Army Corps ap
peared on the scene. and attacking the Turks
in flank compelled them, with the co operation
of the rest OF the Russian forces, to retire upon
Krasna, their retreat to Jovan CiltIik being cut
off. The Grand Duke Vladimir narrowly c..
capped ball, which struck very near him.
Suleiman Pasha, describing he same affair.
claims that be carried some Of the entrench.
ments Of Metcbka, but was unable 10 hold them
owing to the fire from the heights and arrival OF
Russian reinforcements. He consequently with
drew to his original position, after seven
hours battle. Three thousand Russians were
killed.
A Bucharest special says bullet grszed the
Czarewitch's head 10 this engagement.
1t is reported that it has been necessary to
amputate Osman Pasha's foot.
Nj. Cristrics, the Servian agent has deliver
ed to the Porte Servia's formal declaration of
war against Turkey, and started for Belgrade.
War WAS announced at Belgrade yesterday by
salvos of artillery. Prince Milan will leave for
| Aezinalz to day. He has issued DEGREES pro
| claiming a state Of siege and announcing that
public tupctonaries who agiate against war
will be dismissed.
10 his speech from the throne 90 the opening
of the Turkish Parliament tho Sultan declared
that Russia began the war. Turkey, compecd
to defend herself against aggression. has offered
the utmost resistance. The Ottomaus had dis
played most patriotic spirit, as eviUced by The
self denial of all classes, and the courage of the
Turkish soldiers had excited the admiration Of
the world. His Majesty spoke with special ap
probation of the formation of q civic guard.
His non Mussulman subjects bad shown con-
scieutious desire to share in the defence of the
country. The constitution granted to non. Mus.
sulman subjects perfect equality in the eye Of
the law; therefore, as they had acquired cor
responding duties at home it was only natural
that they should share the military service. and
the Government had decided to enlist non.
Mussulmau subjects in the ranks of the army.
The only safeguard for the Empire was com-
pletely to Barry out the constitutions The SUI.
tan . dearest wishes were 10 sec ali classes of
hia sntiAosa ariov The l.les-ne. Of complete
equality and the country profit by he accept.
aooe Of modern ideas, financial reforms. the full.
flment Irrational engagements, the adjustment
of taxation ia accordance with the rules Of
sound political economy, the collection Of reve-
pue Oh an equitable system, the revision Of the
judicial system. reform to facilitate the tenure
and sale Of landed property, the bestowal Of nu.
nicipal privileges as the basis of an admnstra-
tive system, aud 6nally by the reorganization
of the gendarmerie. Unfortunately, the calam.
tiles of war had retarded the accomplishment
of these reforms; nevertheless, the Sultan hoped
for the future progress of reform. Various
measures had been prepared by the Council of
State, and would be submitted to the consider.
alton OF Parliament, concerning civil procedure,
| the general election, ministerial fuoctions, the
High Court of Justice, the public press. taxa
| ton and the state OF siege. lie concluded as
follows :-"Gentlemen and Deputes-Truth
can be ELECTED on questions Of political and civil
rights only by perfect liberty Of discussion.
That liberty having been conferred by the con-
stitution, you require from me no further 10.
struc,ions. Our relations with friendly Powers
are of most cordial kind. May the most High
bless our common efforts
Servet Pasha has Informed Mr.. Layard, the
British Ambassador, and Count Z:chy. the Aus
trian Ambassador to Constantlnope, that he
considered continuation Of the war useless
sacrifice and be would, therefore, endeavor to
persuade the Turkish Cabinet to invoke the
mediation of Austria and England to regard
the conditions of peace. He considered the po-
litical and territorial Integrity of Turkey ndis.
pensable Austria will take no initiative 10.
less there seems chance Of success, and 80 far
there have been 20 signs OF readiness on the
part of Russia to negotiate. Servet Pasba's
conditions also seem to be unacceptable, but the
impression is that they will be modified.
The circular of the Porte states that the
Porto desires to stop the eusion OF blood; there.
fore it is ready to come to terms, and appeals to
the feelings of justice Of the Great Powers, but
is not yet at the end of it's resources, Gpd is
ready to sacrifice all for the independeoe and
integrity of the fatherland.
A telegram from Constantinopls says -
1.-THE peace and War parties are contending for
the supremacy. 1t is believed that tho war
party will prevail.
There is trouble 10 the Lebanon 10 conse.
quence of the refusal of the inhabitants to furn.
ish military contingent or send deputies to
Parliament, based on the fact that the Lebanon
is under European guarantee.
The London Post this morning, says it is 10.
derstood that the British Cabinet yesterday had
before them circular from the Porte intmat
ing it's willingness to accept the mediation of
Europe. The Porte asserts that the guarantees
of good government furnished by the Constitu-
ton are far more advantageous than the estab
ment of autonomous States, which can only lead
to the disintegration of the empire. The Post,
however, considers that there are 20 present
prospects Of the acceptance Of mediation, as Ger
many is hostile thereto, and any offer on the |
part of England is not likely 10 be we'll received
by Russia.
The Sootsman's London correspondent writing
90 Thursday, says TO morrow Lord Derby
will have to announce to his colleagues the all |
important fact that both Russia and Turkey arc
anxious to make peace"
LONDON, Dec. l5.-A Constautiuoplo dis.
patch ssys:-The circular note dispatched by
the Porte to the signatores of the treaty OF
1871, commences by the statement that the
origin of the present important events is per-
fectly knowp. The Imperial Government is
conscious OF having done nothing to provoke the
NOR hos dime pvar1fhino o1o;d - nd |