The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-15
The Czarewitch Receives His
Baptism Of Fire.
SERVING SERVIANS
Attempts of the Sultan to Inspire
His Subjects.
INSURRECTION IN CRETE
lBY CABLE TO THE HERALD.

attacked the forces Oh the Grand Duke Vladimir all
along the line, directing. however, their principal
EFFORTS against the left and centre. They attacked
Metchka six times. but were each time repused
with great loss.
HELP AT HAND.
'At one p. NJ tho Thlrty.Glth division OF the
Twelfth Russian army corps appeared on the scene,
and, attacking the Turks in rank, compelled them,
with the cooperation OF the rest OF the Russian
forces, to retire upon Krasna, their retreat to
Jovan Clitlik being cut or
NARROW ESCAPE.
"The Grand Duke Vladimir narrowly escaped
being killed by a bali which struck very near him
Bucharest special despatch says bullet also
grazed the Czarewtchs head in this engagement.
TURKISH VERSION.
Suleiman Pacha, describing the same affair,
claims that he carried some OF the entertainments
OF Metchka, but was unable to hold them owing to
the fire from the heights and the arrival OF Russian
relniorcementa He consequently withdrew to his
original positions after seven hours battle.
Three thousand Russians were killed.
THE SAME OLD FIGHT.
The battle described above is probably the same
which was reported in yesterdays dispatches to
have taken place near Metchka although there is
discrepancy as to the date, one despatch making
1t the 18th and the other the 18th.
ENGAGEMENT AT KAMARLI.
telegram from Kamarn, dated December 49,
says:-"Cannonadng Is proceeding to-day between
the Turkish and Russian posltions.n
BAD WEATHER
Bad weather is setting in throughout Bulgaria,
sERvIA TAKES THE FINAL STEP.
proclamation OF the Scrvian government was
issued at Belgrade yesterday announcing that
the Servian army has been ordered to cross the
frontier. where, Turkish troops are; already con-
centrating.
IN THE CARS COMPANY.
Baron Jomln, Councillor Hamburger and the
whole diplomatic chancelery wililcavci Bucharest
and return 80 ST. Petersburg with Prince Gorts-
chako1 and the Gar.
a MERE FoRMALITY.
NJ. Crstics, the Servian agent, yesterday deliv.
cred TO the Porte Serva's formal declaration OF
war against Turkey, and started for Belgrade.
RECEPTION OF THE PRocLAxA ALTON.
War was announced at Belgrade yesterday BY
salvos OF artillery. Prince Milan Will leave for
Alexinatz to-day Saturday. He has issued DEGREES
proclaiming state OF SIEGE and announcing that
public functionarles who agitate against war VIII
be dismissed
A SIGNIFICANT AcT-PossIBLY.
telegram from Erzeroum, dated December Is,
says:-"ln pursuance OF orders from Lord Derby
the British Consul left here this morning with all
the archives OF the Consulate"
WHAT IT MEANS
An Erzeroum correspondent says:-"The de-
parture OF the British Consul by order OF Lord
Derby IS regarded by the Turks as foreshadow wing
q British declaration OF war against Russia.'
PREPARING TO ATTACK.
Four fourteen centinletre siege guns have been
brought by the Russians IRON Kars 10 Hassan
kaleh. An attack upon ErZeroum is nome nrarily
expected. General TerguGassons division from
Bayazid Is threatening van the Turkish headquar.
ters
CRETE IL REVOLT.
A telegram from Athens announces that an IN
surrection has broken out In the Province OF
Armyre Crete. Turkish families and inhabitants
Of other provinces have sought refuge in the for
tress The Governor OF Crete has sent troops 10
repress the instruction.
WHO .BEIIgvEs' IT?
The Pail MAJ Gazette OF last evening had o des
patch from Copenhagen which said cit is be-
lleved the Russian Minister IL negotiating with
Denmark with view Q! proposing Prince Waldo.
mar. 0! Denmark, or Prince John OF Glucksborg,
US ruler Of Bulgaria.
CONQUERED BY AN EPIDEMIC.
The Times correspondent III Plevna telegraphs
as iollows:-"The Grand Duke Nicholas told me
that Osman Pacha reported his force at 600 Al the
same time the Grand Duke seemed to be doubtful! II
there were many, and have heard THIS doubt
expressed In several quarters since the surrender
About sixty cannon and many hundred wagons are
among the trophies.
NOT STARVED OUT.
BOSNIAN Pacha had three weeks provisions still
on hand and ten days ratons IN his transport train
for the whole army. The immediate cause OF his
abandoning the intrenchments was the breaking
out OF an epidemic among tie troops. There were
forty nifty dead bodies brought out OF camp every
day in Plevna. There were no men available 10
bury them, and the mortality was increasing.
Eight hundred sick and wounded are In the hospi-
tals.n
UNFORTUNATE osMAN.
It's reported that 1t has been necessary to ampu.
tate Osman Pacha's foot.
TnR suLrAN's SPEECH
In his speech from the throne on Thursday on
the opening Of the Turkish Parliament the sultan
declared that Russia began the war. Turkey, com.
PEELED TO defend herself against aggression, had
offered the utmost resistance. The Ottomans
had displayed most patriotic spirit, us
evnced by the seltdenial OF all classes
and the courage or the Turkish soldiers mad cx.
cited the admiration OF the world. Ills Majesty
spoke with special appreciation OF the formation OF
a civic guard. His non Mnssulman subjects had
shown conscientious desire TO share In the dc.
fence OF the country. The constitution granted 10
nonMussuiman subjects perfect equality In the eye
Of the law
CHRISTIAN AID INVOKED.
Therefore, as they had acquired corresponding
duties at nome, It was only natural that they
should show the military service and the govern.
ment had decided to enlist nor. Mussulman subjects
III tile ranks OF tile army. The only safeguard for
the Empire was completely TO carry out the
constitution. The Sultan's dearest wishes
were to see all classes OF his subjects
q