The Osceola times., 1877-06-09

wooden gunboats, with thirty-two guns Of
lesser caliber; four transport steamers, with
eight guns; and twenty.three vessels not
armored. The largest of these are at Ismal
and Tultscha.
The department of state has received
information of the death OF Louis n. De.
lastrc, vice-consul OF the United States at
Tampico, Mexico. The department has also
received information to the effect that a
pronunciamento has been issued in the state
of Guerrero, in the mountains OF Mexico, by
the friends of Governor Alvarez, against the
central government Of Mexico.
The old Catholic census in Germany
shows that the number of adherents the past
year is $3.50, against 4s,sos the year pre-.
vious.
The latest news from Turkey is of an
exciting character. The long threatened
revolt Of the fnnatica Softas has begun, and
Constantinople is being put into a state of
siege to protect is own inhabitants from these
unreasoning religious zealots, who are bent
on deposing the sultan. The Turkish par.
|
take what measures il can to suppress the
rising revolution. Events are just proving
The correctness of the statements of Lord
Salisbury after his return from the confer.
ence. The government exists by suiierance
at the mercy of fanatical mob, and while
the sultan is virtually powerless to resist it,
there is no responsible authority that can
enforce obedience and perform obligations.
And now when the Russian armies are closing
in on Turkey from the north and east, Rou.
mania and Servia and Montenegro and other
provinces are breaking away in open revolt,
and the Greek parliament is preparing to
join in the war. 1t certainly looks as though
the beginning of the end had come. And 1t
is quite remarkable that the war feeling in
England does not increase, II 1t holds its
own, while there are strong reasons for think.
ing that Germany and Italy have agreed to
support Russia should England interfere
in Turkeys defence.
NJ. Jules Simon, member of the dis
banded French ministry, publishes letter
stating that its downfall occurred because
he would not agree to the substitution of an
authoritative for a parliamentary govern
nent. lie has assumed the management of
the Echo, and will defend the French re-
public against monarchical coalition, par.
liamentary regime against Bonapartism and
reason and religion against theocratic doc
trines. He appeals to all those who, alb
horipg civil and European war, desire to
make the republic beloved and pow erful.
The war party in England are dis
cussing the question Of the Leadership of
the army. The Prince Of Wales is suggested,
with General Sir Garnett Wolsey as chief of
staff, In the meantime Gladstone will begin
h,s tour through England, making speeches
against the war policy. All the non-con.
formist ministers back the ex.premier.
The last arget-firing with the eighty
ton gun at Shoeburyness, England, was a
rather expensive affair The target cost
$50 900, and each projectile weighing 100
pounds, with charge of four hundred and
twenty-five pounds of POWDER knocked to
pieces one-fourth of it, or 81 500 worth Of
iron and steel. Great guns are remarkably
severe on taxpayers.
Advices from Athens state that there
| is great excitement among the population
OF the islands of Crete, and patriotic meet.
ings are being held. 1t has been decided
to wait twenty days for an answer from the
Turkish government to the demands of the
people, after which time an appeal will be
made by the Cretans TO the great powers,
asking for the appointment of Mr.. Glad
stone under the title of Prince Of Crete.
The Russians have unquestionably
thus far outgeneraled the Turks. The
Turkish boast, before hostilities commenced,
was Of their iron.clad fleet. They failed to
use it when they could have inflicted the
most serious damage to the Russians. The
single.track railroad from Galatz to Jassy
presented an easy prey to them so did the
line from Galatz over the Sereth river, via i
Barboschi and Brails to Buseo and Bucba-
rest. They could have destroyed these roads
and burned the bridges by prompt use of
their navy. The Russians have secured all,
and can hold them, besides effectually
closing the Danube to the Turkish feet.
Abdul Kerim has made no attempt TO cross
the Danube, when he might have done So TO
the detriment of the enemy, who has now
plan ted himself all along the Roumanian
shore. Whatever credit the Turkish navy
is entitled TO must be gwen to the British
officers, engineers and sailors who have
charge of it. With English brains in the
army also, the Turks ought to be able to
accomplish something. II is certain, how.
ever, that at the outset they possessed an
overwhelming advantage il their navy had
been been properly handled. II is now use.
less, save for the purpose Of destroying
villages and landing troops at isolated points
in Asia. The Russians in the meantime
having closed the Danube, are preparing to
cross the Balkans, and in Asia are slowly
advancing on Erzerouni, with their base
Of supplies far removed from naval inter.
ference.
MISCELLANEOUs.
General Grant will dine with the
Prince of Wales, at Mr.. Pierrepont's resi-.
dence, In London, on the twenty.first Of
June.