The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-02-09
FOREIGN NEWS.

The prospect Of peace, which the previous mail
gave hope would soon take place, is again dark
ened. and seems to be as far off rs ever. The
Russian armies are advancing the road to Con-
stantinople now lies open, and we doubt if any
force which Turkey can interpose will be able
to prevent her enemy's triumphant occupation
of that capital. This view seems to prevail in
England, for assurances have been officially
given that Government intended to protect Con-
stantinople. We have no doubt that Russia
expects and is eager for England to take a
hand in the conflict, for she has always been
dissatisfied with the conclusions arrived at on
the banks of the Alma, at Balaklava and Inker-
man. 1t is quite apparent that Turkey cannot
much longer maintain the strife with any hope
of final success, without quick and powerful aid,
and there are many reasons why she looks to
England for that aid, in default Of which, or Of
assistance from other Powers, she must soon
lay down her arms, and be indebted to the for
bearance of Russia, if she is not altogether ex-
PEELED from Europe.
We have space only TO glance at the more
prominent and interesting points of news brought
by this mail
\ sanguinary battle was fought between
NNAlCLd " NJ anu lClul Il SHs hiN
lasted from the 18th to the l9th-four days.
The Turks were driven into the Rhodope noun
tains, with a loss of 4 900 killed, 5000 prisoners
and 40 guns.
The Porte (Jan. 2l) has ordered the concen-
tration, pending the armistice negotiations, Of
all available forces distant from the seat Of
wary, at Constantinople by the quickest route
and the dispatch containing the above inlorma-
ton says that az soon the Russians reach Tcha-
taldja. a station on the Adrianople Railway
twenty-five miles from Constantinople. the Sultan
and Government will leave the capital. The
opinion is daily gaining ground that in conse-
quence of the threatening aspect of internal
affairs, the Porte will be compelled to propose
a CESSATION Of hostilities. This does not look
like the true cause. Victory in the field is what
is necessary to alay the popular discomfort, and
the Turkish arms now meet with defeat in al
most every direction.
The Servians have captured Pristina, and re-
occupied Kerchumli, after an engagement which
cost the Turks, in killed, wounded and prison-
ers, nearly one thousand men. Upon entering
Kerchumli the Servians found twenty-lour of
their soldiers and two officers impaled
A panic prevails at Gallipoli in consequence
of a report that the Russians are within ten
hours march of the place. Orders have been
received from Stamboul to resist the advance
and troops are expected from Smyrna and the
Dardanelles. The Russians are in full possession
of Adrianople, and (Jan. 2l,) there is no news
of armistice negotiations. Smallpox has broken
out in the villages surrounding Shumla, and
refugees are arriving there, many dying on the
road of cold and hunger, while more than 300,-
600 are fleeing into Constantinople.
The Danube is completely frozen over, and
transport teams are crossing freely on the ice,
thus ~affording the Russians easy facilities of
bringing up supplies for tie front.
The Russian terms of peace arc not yet, (Jan.
2l) known in London.
1t is said (Jan. 49, by way of Berlin, that
the Turkish Peace Delegates will refer the less
acceptable Of the Russian conditions to COnstan-
tinople, in which case the Russians will advance
at once in force and it seems that Austria has
been confdentially informed of Russia's determ-
ination to capture that city if the terms Of peace
are not Immediately accepted. To such a step
on the part of Russia, Austria has withdrawn al
objection. 1t is also stated that in the event Of
such occupation, and in the peace negotiations
which would follow, there will be n subsequent
demand for the conversion of Constantinople into
q sort of II neutral commonwealth. The same
authority asserts that the Porte will communicate
the Russian terms to the rest Of Europe, threat
ening to accept any terms which may be imposed
if left without support.
A later report says that an official announce
ment has been published in COnstantinople stat
ing that if negotiations fail, everything has been
prepared for defense to the last extremity, and
advises the inhabitants to be calm; but notwith-
standing this assurance the excitement is hourly
increasing, and a general panic prevails. A Pera
correspondent LOndOn, Jan. 23), is informed
that the Peace Delegates arc instructed to make
peace on any terms, go as to stop the enemy's adj
vance. Inhanmatory Tlacards were distribu ted
throughout Stamboul all day Monday (2lst.)
The Russians are rapidly advancing upon Gal
lipoli, and the Turkish families are leaving the
town. The delenses are unprepared, and mill
tary stores are deficient.
The Journal DIES De6atS paris, Jan. 23), learns
that Russia has informed the Powers that she
does not aim Mt signing a treaty Of peace at Com
stantinople. az she recognizes the difficulties that
might arise from such a course; but she continues
the advance Of her army with the object Of exer-
cising a pressure upon the Porte. As soon as the
preliminaries Of peace are accepted, an armistice
will be concluded, and the conditions communi-
Gated to the Powers.
The Turkish Parliament has voted an address
to the Sultan asking him to hasten the conclusion
of peace, or if that be impossible from the sever
iy of the Russian demands, then to organize re-
sIstance to the bitter end.
1t is officially stated (St. Petersburg, Jan. 23),
that the Russian losses to Jan. 10, aggregate 3d.
1875 men.
a report was current in Constantinople on the
afternoon Of Jan. 23d, that n two months armis-
tice had been agreed to, but no official confirma-
ton had been received,
In England, the uncertain state of political aE-
fairs disturbs business in every direction. Capt.
talists hold very large amounts of money which
they are unable to employ on any terms. Sir
Stafford NOrthcOte stated to a deputation of Con-
servative members Of Parliament, that the Gov
eminent intended to protect both Constantinople
and GallipOli, and that unless things changed they
might ask for a money vote on Thursday (Jan.
pa The British feet has been ordered from
Maido Bay to Besika Bay.
Alfonso, King Of Spain, was married to
Mercedes, third daughter Of the Duke de Mont
pensier, on the Odd ult. at the Atocha Cathedral.
Madrid. The ceremony was conducted with great
magnificence.
The Cardinal, Silvoni, has protested against
tIa Yr0ntop,otinn Of Dr;noo ITnpnhort nc K;,., 81