The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-01

already been stationed on the Sophia road The
Turks were taken by surprise, consequently the
Russians lost only five wounded.
INVESTING SOFIA
special despatch FROM Sofia reports that
large force OF Russians has already deployed on
the plain OF Sofia
ON THE LON.
Along the eastern front-namey, the River
Lom-the Turks have withdrawn from all their
positions, leaving only small armed bodies, com
posed OF troops and Inhabitants. The latter with
arms, retire to the woods after burning their own
villages.
FOR THE WINTER.
1t now appears that the Czarewitch will remain
in Bulgaria with General TOdleben the real COM
mander Of the army. 1t Is reported that there ar,
$4,000 sick in Bulgaria and that supplies are in
adequate. The number probably includes the sick
among the Turkish prisoners.
THE TURKS RETREATING.
It's rumored at Belgrade that the Turks have
retreated from Sophia after burning it, and are
marching toward the Ichtman dehle 10 bar the
Russian advance upon Tatar Bazardjik.
MONTENEGRO FIRMNEss.
Negotiations for the surrender of Antivari have
been broken of because the commandment de-
manded that the garrison should be allowed to
leave, with all their arms and even artillery, and
go to Scutari. The Montenegrins have recon-
menced the bombardment OF AntivarL
ENGLAND STATES HER CASE.
The request of the British government for In
formation as to whether Russia would be disposed
to enter into peace negotiations at the desire OF
the Porte has been received ut st. Petersburg. II
statements have been published abroad respecting
the Russian answer and the conditions which she
would propose for settlement such intelligence
must be premature and inaccurate. Nothing what
ever has been determined upon, though in we'll in
formed circles 1t is assumed that Russia will make
no harsh reply the steps taken with the object OF
paving the way for peace, but will show herself ac-
cessible to any earnest endeavors for the restora-
ton OF peace.
THE TEXT OF THE NOTE
The following Is stated to be the text OF Eng.
lands note to Russia: -"Her Mnjesty's government
begs to inform the Emperor that che Porte Is ready
to open peace negotiations. The Emperor's wis.,
dom and repeatedly expressed love of peace justify
Her Majesty's government In the hope that he Will
lend favorable ear to the Sultan's request"
PROMPTLY ANswERSp.
The Times Vienna correspondent hears that Rus.
STA has already replied to Englands note that II the
Turks desire an armistice they must apply direct to-
the Russian COmmander-in-Chief
WHAT GORTsCHAKOFF THINKS.
he has reason to believe that Prince GortschakoR
has declared that Turkey must know that Russia
has always been ready to listen to proposals. tor
peace, and that the presentation OF pace proposals
by an intermediary appears unnecessary. The cor
respondent adds:-"The telegram c'nveying the
above information seems also to convey an intiInas
ton ofreadiness to accept an armistie."
AUSTRIA ALSO SOUNDED.
The standards correspondent atVf9na says
Lord Derby has sent note to Count Aofsssy Ell.
pressing the hope that in view OF the AiTc or ecA
rope Tor peace the other P,'ts @A~&slsi 81
much as possible England's 8, spa M ~ Q, medi'
alton. TA
WHY EGYPT CAY A@a
The London correspon - HNctH .yf
Guardian telegraphs to q H iftA lestafs 90
governments policy as foil ftctA 50 I
the acquisition OF Egypt M-l-' A4a4' Fl ter'
donmcnt Of the policy OF ffMlH IN a
Turkey. IL is believed thar fl9T
mediation, Lord Beaconsfie 9t 49, re&
to the country ON the que ton = f.4i'rg Nat
for the defence OF British in
RUSSIA WILL BE rl 'F
The Official Euening Post OF arDasfs tefa aFs
grounds for believing that r, 20 3 lp 81 ynca
reject, but Will reply in sutat ..ln 20 Englanas
inquiry, which only raises the question Of peace "a
very general terms. But only optinlsts can hops
that by England's action any r. foundation is se.
cured for the conclusion OF pea
HER PROBABLE RgK.
The Political Correspondence, % Vienna, says IA
is probable that Russia will reply taa she ia reaay
to open negotiations II the Porte directly addresses
itself to st. Petersburg.
MIDHAT GOES ON A MISSION.
In compliance with summons by telegraph
Midhat Pacha has left Rome for London. Hi
journey Is said to be connected with Engand'a
acceptance of the Porte's request for mediation
DANUBE BRIDGES TAKEN UP.
The Times Bucharest despatch says:-"Tha
bridges crossing the Danube ut Smnitza were
taken up to prevent their destruction 1t is hoped
that the bridge at Petroshan Dust reported a. hav-
ing been carried away can be repaired. Nine hun.
dred horses persisted in the vicinity Of Slstova
during the recent storm. The total loss Of draught
animals must be numbered by thousands.
sUFFERINGs OF THE PRISONERS
"Details are slowly coming in concerning the sui.
ferlngs OF the Turkish prisoners from Plevna on
their way to Roumania. The prisoners were unac-
companed by any vehicle for the purpose of picking
up those who fell by the wayside These were left
by the guards to freeze, as they had no means OF
carrying Them and to halt would only have been to
increase the number of victims The absence Of
wagons was not due to deliberate cruelty, but to
that thoughtlessness which so frequently subjects
Russian soldiers to unnecessary suffering.
DEAD IN THE SNOW.
al learn through Roumanan officers who came
from NikopoI TO Plevna, after tie passage OF these
prisoners, that they drove against number OF
dead bodies in the snow No provision was made
In the Bulgarian villages for the proper sustenance
OF the captives but when the Danube was passed
supplies in abundance were provided, and iron
that time their lot was never hard TO bear. "