The New York herald., 1877-11-29
Tender Approaches Of the
Russians Toward Sofia.
DERBY SAUCE IN SEASON
Moukhtar Quailing in Beleagurec
Erzeroum.
FOUL WEATHER IN THE BALKANS.
[BY CABLE TO THE HERALD.

LoNDOS NOV. ~, lott.
The news about the movements OF the Russians
at Etropol and Orchanie leaves no doubt that in
stead OF waiting for the operations Of Mehemet All
they have determined TO anticipate him by vgor
GUS forward march, which, If successful, would
cripple, If not altogether prevent, the intended
effort for the relief Of Plevna The only ex-
panation OF Mehcfnet Ais failure to relieve
Etropol, is either that most OF the Turkish troops
are still on the Sofia side Of the Balkans, or else
that the army OF relief not intended to advance
by the way Of Orchane at all, butby some other
route.
DIFFICULT TO KEEP SOFIA.
The Times military critic thinks that Mehemet
All will have difficulty TO defend Sofia. This town
is OF vital Importance to the Turks.
At it centre the principal roads leading
from the north and west to PhilIppopols and
Adrianope. Could the Russians gain it and se-
cure the passage Of the mountains which bar ap-
proach TO 1t from the mol tn, they would find 1t
more convenient and advantageous secondary
base OF operations to support an advance down
the broad and fertile valley which leads to Adrian
ople.
NO OTHER COURSE.
The Dallv 7ele0raph's Pera special contains ndi-
cations con1rmatory of the view that the Turks
have almost, If not quite abandoned the expecta-
tion Of reaching Plevna with succors. The despatch
says:-'There are renewed reports of lighting near
Rustchuck, the Turks being the aggressors, but we
have no information whether these movements are
extensive enough to cause the withdrawal OF any
forces from Plevna, even II the Czarewitch's army
were weak, which is denied"
NO PROSPECT oE "cHIcKENv THE RUSSIANS
Russian Official despatch, dated Bogot, says
"The Turks on Monday morning violently attacked
the Twelfth corps at Trsterelk and Metchka.
After six hours severe fighting the Turks were re-
pulsed and pursued until night The Turkish loss
must have been very heavy. The Russian loss
numbered 800, including large number OF officers.
Simultaneous demonstrations against PolomalKa
aud Kazelevo were repulsed with trining nghtingn
DERBY TALKS TURKEY.
Lord Derby, Secretary of State for Foreign Al
fairs, yesterday received deputation representing
the Society for the Protection Of British Interests
and three other political societies. headed by Lord
Stratheden Campbell, who presented memorial
urging active interference In favor of Turkey.
Lord Derby replied that the government saw no
reason to depart from It's neutrality. He did not
think Constantnople or the suez Canal in danger.
"when the government he said, '.sees reason
able opportunity 1t will do what 1t can to bring
about peace"
REASONS FOR THANKSGIVING.
: special despatch from Berlin says:-"Accord.
ing to an extract from a report upon the trade OF
Russia the commercial relations OF that country
with Central Asia constantly increasing despite
the war against Turkey. The import Of cotton
from Khiva and Bokhara Is OF special importance,
for within three months about thirty million
pounds have been imported hence, and the oren-
burg Railway has forwarded total OF about
1,l5o,0Oo cwt. Of cotton. Russia, on the other
manufactured cotton goods to the value or
s2,25o, ,O0o.n
TURKEY on THE WING.
special despatch from Castellastva reports that
Turkish ironclad has arrived before Antvari and
opened fire. Another Turkish man-oi-war is in
sight. The MontenegrIns are preparing to oppose
the landing OF Turkish troops. The Mon.
tenegrin force about Antvar Is estimated
at 10000 The Turks will probably disembark at
Darazzo to attempt the relief OF Scutari. which Is
threatened by the Miridites. The Porte has pro.
claimed a blockade OF the coast between Spitza
and Duicigno.
MAHNouD DAMAD AND MrsTAFA HoNoRED.
1t is announced from Constantinoplc that the
Council OF War, which has hitherto had supreme
direction OF military operations, Is to be trans.
formed into merely deliberative body under the
presidency OF Mnstafa Pacha, Minister OF War.
This transfers the direction Of operations to Mus.
tafa from Mahmoud Damad Pacha, who was the
most prominent member OF the Council OF War.
DISORDER REIGys IN WARSAW.
Vienna correspondent says 1t is persistenty
rumored that the declaration OF state OF Siege
Is imminent In Warsaw and various districts OF Po.
land.
BEFORE ERZERouM
"Ghazir Moukhtar Pacha telek raphs to constan.
tinople from Erzeroum, under date OF November
25 as follows:-"The Russian Bayazld column Is
encamped between Zeidekar and Karakil,ssa
Everything indicates that the Russians are pre-.
pairing to suspend operations and go into winter
quarters. Snow has fallen in the mountains TO the
depth OF three feet"
A rACIiA FoRsAKEs HIS COUNTRY.
rhe Daily Telegraph says II has received informa-
ton that Kars Tell through the treachery of a pacba
who admitted the Russians To the commanding
fort and was paid for IT,
.GoBBlED, AT THE sHrrKA PASS
SPECIAL despatch to the Nep Times OF ST. Peters
burg says 400 Turks have surrendered to the Rus
SLAMS In the Shipka Pass.
A DRuMsTIcK COMMAND.
Achmct Eyoub Pacha mas been appointed CON-