The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-15
THE EASTERN WAR.
SPEECH OF THE SULTAN 10 TAE
TURKISH PARLIAMENr
A seven Hour.' Battle-Thres Thea
sand Russians ktilsd-servtan
Declaration OF war.


CoNsrANTINoPLE, December l4.-ln
his speech from the throne, Yesterday, on
the opening of the Turkish parliament,
the Sultan declared that Russia began
the war and that Turkey WAS compelled
TO defend herself against the aggression.
The OttomsAs had displayed q most
patriotic spirit ss ovinced by the self-de-
nisl Of sll classes, and the courage Of the
soldiers had excited the admiration Of
the world His Majesty spoke with sps-
cIal appreciation Of the formation oi the
Civic Guard His non- Mussulmsn sub
jec.s had shown desire TO share IN the
defense OF the country. The Constitution
granted the non n ussulmens perfect
equality in the eye Of the law.
Therefore, rs they had acquired CORES.
pondlng duties at home il was only
natural that they should share the mill
tary service, and the government had de.
cided 70 enlist non. Mussulmsn subjects
in the ranks OF the army. The on ly safe
guard for the empire WAS completely to
carry out the Constitution. The Sultans
dearest wishes were 10 sec all classes OF
his subjects enjoy the blessings Of COM
plete equality, and the country proft BY
the acceptance Of modern ideas. nnsn-
clsl reform, the fulilllment Of the national
engagements, adjustment Of taxation 81.
cording 10 the rules oi sound political
economy, the collection OF the revenue
on an equitable system Of revision, =
judicial system reform 10 facilitate the
tenure and sale OF landed property, the
best OF municipal privileges IS basis OF
an administrative system, and finally by
the reorganization OF gems armie. Un-
fortunately the cslsmsties Of war have re-
tarded the accomplishment OF these re.
forms. nevertheless tho Sultan hoped for
the future progress OF reform. Various
measures had been prepared by the
Council Ct State and would be submitted
TO the consideration of Parliament con.
cernng civil procedure, general election.
ministerial functions, the high court Of
Justice, public press, taxation and n state
of seige He concluded rs follows
Gentlemen and Deputies, the truth can
be elected on political and civil rights
only by perfect liberty OF discussion, and
that liberty having been conferred by
the constitution you require from me no
further instructions. Our relations with
the friendly powers are most cordial.
MAY the Most High bless our common
efforts.
A seven Hours Hattie
LONDON, December IA Russian
Official dispstch, dated Bogots, Decom.
ber l3, SAYS: sixty battalions OF Turks
Yesterday attacked the force, OF Grand
Duke Vlsdimir all along the line. DE
sorting. however, their principal efforts
against tho left snd center, they
attacked Metchks six times, but were
each time repulsed with great loss
At Pm, the Thirty.Afih division OF
tho Twelfth Russian army corps ap-
ppsred on tho scene, sod attacking the
Turks flank, compelled them with
the co operation OF the rest OF the Rus
SLAMS, 10 retire on krssns, their retreat
to Jovsn Cinlick, being cut
of. The Grand Duke Ma
dimir, narrowly escaped ball.
Suleimsn Pashs, describing tho same AZ
fair, claims that he carried some Of tho
entrenchmenr Of Metcbks, but WAS una
BILE 10 hold them. owing 10 the hre from
the heights aud the arrival Of Russian
reiniOrcemenu. He consequently with.
drew his original position. II was
n seven hours battle and 1900 Russians
were killed. The battle described above
is probably the same which was reported
in last nights dispatches 20 have occur
red near Motchks, although there 10 .
discrepancy a. 10 the date, one dispatch
making il the llth and another the 18th.
A Bucharest special rays that bullet
grszed the CZsrevitch's head in this
engagement.
LONDON, December IA TELEGRAM,
from Erzeroum says that in pursuance
of orders from Lord Derby, the Brit
Ish Consul LETT yesterday morning with
all the archives OF the consulate. -Four
fourteen centimeter siegs guns have been
brought by the Russians from ksrs "
Lassan Lsleh, and sn attack upon Erzsr.
oum Ia momentsrily expected. General
Tergukassof's division from Bayszed II
threatening the van OF the Turkish
hesdquarters.
A correspondent telegrsphs that tbs
departure OF the Britain Consul IA re-
garded by the Turks ~ .fOreshadow.
log q Brltbish declaration OF war against
Russia
seTyian Declarations OF war.
CoEsrAsrIsoPLE, December IN.
Catsics, the Servian agent, has delivered
70 the Porte Serviss formal declaration
of war against Turkey and started for
Belgrsds.
BELGRADE, December l4.-wn WA
announced to-day BY salvos Of artillery.
Prince Milan will leave for AleIinAtz
tomorrow. He has issued DEGREES pro-
claiming 3 state Of siege and announcing
that the public functionsries who agitsts
against the war will be dismissed.
BUCHAREST. December l4.-Bsron
Jomini, Counsellor Hamburger and the
whole diplomatic chancsllory will return
70 81. Petersburg with Prince Gortschs.
kof and the Gar.
Iii, reported that i. has been neces-
sary 10 smputste Osman Psshss foot.
CossTAsTIsoPLE, December 1.-The
pesce and var parties are contsnding
for supremacy. II il believed the war
party will prevail There Is trouble in
Lebanon, 10 consequence OF the refusal
Of the inhabitants 70 furnish military
conting gents or send dspu,is, 10 Parlis.
nent, which ia bAssd on the fact that
I q. .,,A.r