The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1877-05-01
WAR IN EUROPE.
Russia makes q formal declaration
against the Porte--The first battle.


Russia against Turkey has been
made. Prince Gortschakoff has sent
the following note, dated April %,
to tho Turkish Charge dAffaires:
"The earnest negotiations between
the Imperial Government and tho
Porte for durable pacification not
having led to tho desired accord, my
august master secs himself compell-
cd, to his regret, to have recourse
to force Of arms. Bo therefore 50
kind as to inform your government
that from to day Russia considers
herself in o state of war with the
Porto"
England will and must protect
her commercial interests, and as she
owns tue larger palt of the Suez
Canal, it is not surprising that she
will employ all hor force to protect
that interest. From thatprotcction
will spring England's completely in
tho European war.
Mr.. Layard, British Minister at
Constantinoplo, is stated to have
informed tho Porto that England
had guaranteed the integrity and
independence of tho Ottoman En-
piro only under tho conditions laid
down by treaties stipulating for the
exercise of control by tho powers.
Tho Porte having contested this
right, it has forfeited tho benefits
guaranteed by these treaties and
England could not intervene with
her army in it's behalf.
An immense crowd Witnessed tho
removal of the Russian insignia
from the portal Of tho Embassy at
Constantinople.
The Gortschakof circular regrets
that Russia finds herself under the
necessity of proceeding single
handed to roalize tho wishes of Eu
rope. Russia has in view tho i'm
provement Of the condition of the
Christians md not territorial agran~
diZemont.
War gossip says when tho Rus {.
slams cross tho Pluth the Turks will
send large force of Circassians to
destroy the railroads.
Andrassy now favors tho mobiliza-
tion of the Austrian forces sufficient
to protect Austrian interests.
The Russian army entered Rou~
mania, q disaffected province of
Turkey, on Wednesday.
The Russian naval authorities
have suspended navigation between
tho Crimea and Caucasus. Russia
has promised Rounania independ-
enco and royal title.
The Austro Hungarian army at
Pesth is placed couchaast for any
emergency
Turkey is bringing timber from
Transylvania for the bridges over
the Danube.
There arc only 1000 Turkish
troops in Crete, and the people aro
organized for m instruction.
Tho italian squadron, which sail
cd from Taranta under scaled
orders, is bound for Salonica
Twenty thousand Russians aro
concentrated on the Pruth, and will
soon be ready to cross. ~
Ameer, of Kashgar, is assembling
AN army on tho Russian frontier of
Khokand.
Tho Turks have made the most
active preparations for tho war. The
sultan, in his proclamation to the
army, says:
"Isussia has declared war and we
aro forced to tako up arms. We
have always wished peace, and lis
toned to the advice of the powers in
this respect, but Russia wants to
destroy our independence, and so. if
Russi attacks u., God, VIII O protects
right and justice, will gr ant us tho
victory. Our soldiers will defend
with thoir blood tho country gained
by their ancestors, and with tho
help of God, maintain the indopend.
once of tho Osmanli. The nation
will protect tho wives and children
of the soldiers. Should it be neces-
sorry, tho Sultan will go to tho army
and raise the standard of tho Kalifat
md tho Sultanat. Tho Sultan is
ready to sacrifice his life or the
honor and independence tof tho
country"
The first engagement of tho war
was fought ut Tchurukson, near
Batourin. After somo fighting tho
Russians we're routed, with n loss to
about eight hundred.