The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-25

Grand Duke Nicholas will join the army op-
Grating against Sophia. The Czarowitch is ex-
pected to command that destined to advance
through the Balkans further east probably
through the Trojan Pass.
BUCHAREST, Dec. 24.-There is 20 news
from the front. 1t is impossible to iud out
anything concerning the condition of the Turk
ISL prisoners on their way from Plevna or the
Russ an roops caught on the march by the
snow storm Cold weather and driving snow
has produced terrible effect upon transport
train which halted near Catroceni a suburb of
Bucharest, to await the cessation of the storm.
On Sunday the wagons and horses were entire
ly buried 10 the snow. Working parties have
been extricatiug the train. Forty horses and
twenty-nine men were found dead The men
had sought shelter in the wagons aud were
frozen within half mile of Catroceni. This
transport train had camped on level plain
and was buried by the driving snow which
piled up around the horses and wagons
1t is expected the Russian headquarters will
shortly be- transferred from Bogat to Selvi, 25
miles southeast of the former place. The Grand
Duke Nicholas has telegraphed from Bogat TO
Prince Milan of Servia's congratulatine him
upon the successful opening of the Campaign
by the Servians.
ERzERoUM Dec. 24-The snow has ceased,
the weather is now fine and will facilitate the
operations of the Russians
Turkish telegraph communication is threat
ened. 1t is believed the siege of this place will
soon begin, as the Russian forces are over
whelming and Russian infantry is advancing
into the plain of Erzeroum.
ST.. PETERSBURG, Dec. 24-Prince Gortscha-
koH has assumed the direction of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. Gen. Ignatieff is appoint
ed membarof the Council of the empire.
VIENNA, Dec. 24.-The Political Cores pom
dez states that the insurgents in Crete have
convoked the National Assembly to establish a
provincial government
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Dec. 24-The Servians
have attempted to carry Yatre by assault, and
have been repulsed with immense loss. They
were pursued by the garrison to Yarbor, about
five miles distant.
A portion of the British fleet in Besika Bay
is expected to proceed to the Gulf of Volo.
ALEXANDRIA, Dec. 24-Half the Egyptian
contingent destined to REINFORCE the Turkish
army left here this morning it is rumored for
Crete. The troops were mostly blacks.
NEW YORK, Dec. PA cable special says
| that Ghourko's campaign has resulted thus far
| in the loss of only 500 men.
The Turks are deserving because of the in
creasing cold which cause them, poorly clad as
they are, cold and wanting in provisions, terri
BILE suffering.
Typhus fever is raging among the Turks at
Sofia.
An Alexandria despatch says the royal yacht
and Dakolish transports are about leaving for
Constantnople, with infantry, cavalry and ar
| tilery.
A st. Petersburg special says:
A grand ovation welcomed the Emperor, and
| his reception bore every evidence of genuine
reverence and homage. Upon his arrival at the
| railway station tremendous ovation began.
| The pupils of the Conservative sang a hymn
| OF welcome and presented his Majesty with a
| crown of laurel which was accepted in few
| happily chosen words of thanks, amid the roar
| of artillery and wild changing of bells. The
Emperor drove to Kazan Cathedral. Tiers OF
| Crimson seats, erected in the open space of the
| cathedral were filled with oTinent citizens.
Many people slept all night on the marble floor
of the cathedral
| Peasant women and princesses bend together
| before the shrine; the cathedral blazes with
splendor and light; the affairs are aglow with
diamonds; vast as the cathedral is, there seems
no niche 10 which even another waxen taper
| could be burned. Accompanied by gladstone
| cheers, which drown for a time the sobs in
undertone of mothers bereft of sons wives
mourning for husbands, sisters waling fo1
brothers lost on the battlefield, the doors are
flung open in solemn majesty. The Emperor
enters. The noise is only partially hushed as
the Gear walks with solemn tread to the altar
Suddenly the vast cathedral becomes silent as
a sepulchre. The Gear advances to the altar
and kisses the image of the Holy Virgin. Ga
his return to the floor of the cathedral the
crowd breaks all restraint. 1t envelops him.
The people fall down and kiss his garments.
So great is the pressure that it is long time
before his majesty can reach his carriage.
The Emperor drove to the Winter palace
amid the widest cheering of the vast crowd
along the entire route. All day long multi
tudes cheered before the palace, and soldiers
urrahed at the barracks, and the city glowed
with torches until long after midnight
Cable specials say that the Gear will return
to the war In about month. 1t is stated thai
he declared he will march through to Constan.
tinople as the Germans did to Paris.
Turkey is preparing to concede the free pas
sage OF the Dardanelles, but meets with oppo'
sition from England.
The Czarowitch has crossed the Lom.