The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-02
Last Nights Dispatches.
FOREIGN NEWS.
WAR NEWS.

LoNDON, Jan. la correspondent at
Vienna says that Lord Derby has sent q
note to Count Andrassy expressing the
hope that in view of the desire of Europe
for peace the other powers will assist as
much as possible England's steps in favor
of mediation,
The following is stated to be the text Of
England's note to Russia: Her Majesty 8
government begs to inform the Emperor
that the Porte is ready to open peace
negotiations. The Emperor's wisdom and
repeatedly expressed love Of peace justify
her Majesty s government In the hope that
be will lend favorable ear to the Sultan s
request.
1t is said that Russia has already replied
to England note, that If the.Turks desire
an armistice they must apply direct to the
Russian commander-in chief.
A Paris correspondent says he has reason
to believe that Prince Gortschakoff has
declared that Turkey must know that Rus.
sia has always been ready to listen to
proposals Of peace and that the presenta-
ton OF peace proposals by an intermediary
appears unnecessary.
The correspondent adds: Telegrams
conveying the above Information seem also
! to- convey an intimatIon of readiness to
1aecord an armistice y
ROME, Dec. 3l,-In compliance with a
summons by telegraph, Midhat Pasha
started for Lendon. His Journey is said
to be connected with England's acceptance
of the Porte's request for mediation.
RAGUsA, Dec. 3l.r-The negotiations
for the surrender of Antivari have beer
broken .oif, because the commandanl
demands that the garrison should be
alleged to leave with all their arms and
artillery and 90 to Scutari. The Mon
tenegfins fscommenced the bombardment
VIENNA, Dec. 3l.--The EUentng Pos
fsays: FhereAare grounds for believing
that Russia will not at once reject, but viii
reply in suitable terms to England's in
quiry, which only raises the question O
/ peace in very general terms, but only
optionists can hope that by England I
action any real foundation is secured fol
Il the conclusion Of peace.
j The Political Correspondence SAYS it is
probable thatxRussia will reply that she i:
ready to open negotiations if the portt
i directly addresses itself to St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 3I.-The reques
OF the British government for information
whether Russia wcald he disposed to ente
into peace negotiations at the desire of tn
porte, has been received. If,.any state
ments have been published abroad re.
speeting the Russian answer and the con
ditiens she would impose, such inteili
= gence must be premature and inaccurate
! whatever has been. determined, In we
, informed circles tits assumed that Russi
; will make no harsh reply to the step
taken, with the ubjectfof paving the wa
for peace, but viii show herself accessbl
t to any earnest eadeavors for the restora
tionsef peace.
BoGoT, Dec. 3i.-Aie. an. exceedingl
dllacait passage over. NE snow eovere
mountains and frozen foot baths, the van
: guard of a Russian division has occupie
g the Balkan passes between Arabakonk
! and Sophia, and cavalry has already bee
/ stationed on the Sophia road. The Turk
were taken by surprise, consequently th
Russians lost only five wounded .
t Along the eastern front of the rive
0 Lom the Turks have withdrawn from a
}. their positions, leaving only small arme
!, bodies, composed of troops and ndinhabitant
8 The latter, with arms, retire to the Woo
g on the approach of the Russians, aft,
g burning their own villages.
s belgrade, Dec. Silt is rumore
& that the Turks retreated from Sophia aft
It burning it, aud are marching toward Il
e Ichteman defile, to bar the Russian a
ot vance upon l.atar Bazaroiik.
Z