The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-01-18
NEWS SUMMARY
THE WAR IN THE EAST.

The seryians have been badly defeated by
the Turks In an engagement near Novi-Bazar.
A Russian official telegram states that Rus l
sian detachment which had crossed the Bal
kans by byways occupied on Tuesday position {
in the rear Of the Turkish Notifications In the
Trajan pass. The Turks, being also attacked
in front, abandoned their positions, which were
occupied by the Russians, whose vanguard ad-
yanced in the direction OF Teke.
A Constantinople dispatch Of the 10th says:
"The Council Of Minister'S have agreed upon
the conditions Of m armistice, and submitted
them for the Sultan's approval. In opening
direct negotiations purely for military armis-
tce, the Porte is said to be acting upon Lord
Derbys advice"
The appointment OF Raouf Pasha as Com
mander-in-C Chief Of the Turkish armies would
seem to signify that the Porte is ready to make
great concessions in the approaching peace
negotiations. Raouf has been Minister of War
in the Cabinet controlled by Mahmoud Damad,
the Sultan's brother-in-law, whose voice has
been for peace rather than for war during the
entire campaign Of last year.
The Grand Duke Nicholas has telegraphed
the following to the Emperor: "Jan 81 am
happy to congratulate your Majesty upon a
brilliant victory gained this day. Gen. Radetz-
ky has, after desperate fighting captured the
whole Turkish army defending the Schipka
pass consisting of forty-one battalions, ten
batteries, and one regiment Of cavalry. Prince
Mirsky has occupied Kezanlik. Gen. Skobelef
holds Schipka."
The cable brings news OF the surrender
Of Antivari to the Montenegrins and of Nisch
to the Servian army. The operations at these
places have been on much smaller scale than
those Of the Russians at Plevna but the
Turkish resistance has been no less stubborn
than that which Osman offered in his Bull
garian stronghold. The places are of some
Importance, but Of no possible consequence in
the general issue of the war. The garrison of
Nisch which surrendered to the Servians,
numbered 5000, 90 cannon, 12,0 900 rifles, and n
number of flags
It is announced that Ham Pasha has been
appointed Grand yizier in place of Edhem
Pasha, resigned.
A telegram from Constantinople announces
that the Turkish Ministry has been reconsti
tuted, but Server and Safvet Pashas retain the
portfolios Of Foreign Affairs and Justice re-
spectively.
The Prince of Montenegro, having applied to
the Russian headquarters for instructions rela-
tive to an armistice, has been informed that he
need not send an envoy as the Grand Duke
would take charge Of his interests.
Pera correspondent sends the following
"The Porte has refused to allow the questions
of peace and an armistice to be considered to-
gether, as it was understood that these ques-
tons were to be kept separate during the pre-
hminary negotiations. believe the Porte has
determined that defense OF Adrianople is
virtually impossible"
1t is officially stated that the term Of armis-
tice proposed by Turkey is six weeks.
A Constantinople dispatch of the 18th says:
"The Porte has received the Russian answer
to the Turkish communication proposing an
armistice, intimating that the negotiations
must be conducted on basis OF eventual peace
conditions. The reply Of the Grand Duke
Nicholas to the Turkish Commanders Chief,
that he would refer the latter's overture for an
armistice to st. Petersburg, states that nego-
tiations could only be conducted with himself,
direct, and that there could be no question Of
an armistice without basis for peace
Russias demand that peace basis should
be determined before an armistice would be
granted has been finally conceded by Turkey,
and Server Pasha, Foreign Minister, and
Namyk Pasha, have been appointed to nego
tate, with full powers, for peace and an
armistice together.
Acting under instructions from their respect
i've Governments, Prince Reuss and Count
Corti, Ambassadors respectively of Germany
and Italy at the Turkish capital, have informed
the Porte that if it allows Great Britain to send
her feet to Constantinople, Germany and Italy
will demand that permission to pass the OAR
daneles be granted to their fleets. AS indi-
eating the existence of an understanding be-
tween Germany and Italy in reference to the
Eastern question, the episode is not without
significance.
A russian official telegram announces that
the Turkish fleet has bombarded Eupatoria, in
the Crimea, damaging the barracks, guard
houses, arsenal, quarantine establishment,
and some private residences.
The Porte has asked the Russian Govern
ment to state what conditions Of peace would
be satisfactory.
The Cossacks have cut the Tirnova and
Yamboli railway south of the Balkans.
John Bright in addressing his constituents
at Birmingham, Eng, declared that he was
Eastern war.