The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-03-30 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

CONGRESS PROSPECTS.

The Daily Telegraph of Monday publishes the fol-
owing, from their Special Correspondent at Pera,
under date March 24 :
' "

-
"The following statement of the position may be relied
upon.
"Although the Russians bluster and talk menacingly to
the Porte about BuyukderO, and swagger greatly as to the
British ships, they are in a very uneasy condition of mind.
It is only known at the Russian headquarters and to a
few principal Turkish officials how weak and ill-provided
the Russian army now is. Their position would be, in
a military sense, most precarious, if any diplomatic
catastrophe befell. As for England, a few well-informed
persons here and at Ban Stefano are perfectly sure
that she can have exactly what she pleases by firmness.
Übe British Cablnet need not even give up Batonin now that
the Russians have been shut out from the Bosphorus. The
Grand Duke—perceiving this—may however at any moment
order desperate steps involving the safety of her Majesty's
vessels. The Turks have contributed loyally and boldly to
English security by guarding Gallipoli and the Bosphorus
positions; but no time must be lost if England means to
gain the benefit of this act. It must be supported or it must
be reversed, for there is no middle course now for the
Sultan's safety.

"The Conference is looked upon here as more and more
unlikely, except Russia sees her way, by a last concession,
to beguile England to a pre-arravged vote."

The Russian Agency declares premature the news that
Russia has called on England to withdraw her fleet from the
Sea of Marmora. The Agency cannot understand why Mr.
Layard protested against the embarcation of Russian troops,
seeing that this prOtest prevents the execution of the Treaty
and prolongs the occupation, for the result has beeu the
countermand of the order for the Guards to leave.

The Journal de St Peterebourg remarks that, owing to the
chicanery of Engrand, the situation has only throe solutions
Either England, on the demand of the Powers to cease to
impede the Congress and the peace, will change her atti-
tude, or the Powers will disregard her and decide on holding
the Congress without England, or Russia alone will take the
measures necessary for getting out of the present deadlock.

VIENNA, March 23 (Evening).

The present situation of aftairein regard to the Congress
is as follows (says the Correspondent of the Daily Tele-
graph :—The British Cabinet requires a declaration from
Russia that the communication of the instrument of peace.
to the Powers is equivalent to its formal presentation to the
Congress. The Russian Cabinet ozi. the other hand, con-
siders that by making the above communication it has ful-
ffilea its international duties, and it is all the less inclined
to agree to a special presentation of the Treaty to the Con-
gress, inasmuch as by making known the conditions of
pcace it has afforded each Power an opportunity of making
the separate provisions of the Treaty the subject of Euro-
pean deli4eratien. An understanding upon this point has
net yet been arrived at, and so long as this is not the case
the fate Of the Congress must be considered uncertain.

The Correspondent of The Ttmes in a telegram from St.
Petersburg, dated March 25, says :—" No arrangement respect-
ing the Congress has yet been arrived at between the Cabinets
of London and St. Petersburg. The course of the negotia-
tions up to the present time has been as follows :—When
England insisted that the whole Treaty should be sub•
mitted to the Congress, Russia communicated the whole
Treaty to the Powers individually, but England refused
to accept that as an equivalent, and Russia refused to
do "anything more. England has now suggested that
Russia should declare formally that the communication
of the Treaty is equivalent to submitting it to the
Congress. but Russia has not consented to make declaration
of the kind. For the undiplomatic mind it is difficult to
understand why England should raise such difficulties, and
why Russia should so obstinately refuse to remove them.
but toe ltusgian diplomatists explain that under this trivial
formality lies an important matter of principle. If Russia,
they say, made the declaration suggested, she would in some
sort recognize the Congress as a tribunal. To the remark
that it is unworthy of great nations to squabble about such
trifles, they reply, " If it is a trifle, why does England
insist so strongly upon it and let it be understood that
if not granted she will not attend the Congress?
There is some force in this argument; but, on the other
hand, it is impossible to regard the Congress as a tribunal,
since Russia will not be bound by a majority any more than
any other Power. Unfortunately, however, the idea that in
some way Russia is ing danger of being arraigned and judged
by Europe has taken possession of the public mind and seems
to exercise a certain influence even in official spheres. As
some anxiety is felt about the attitude of Austria, amoral
Ignatieff loft yeetarday for vieuna.-

Under date, St. Petersburg, March 26, the Correspondent
of The limes writes :—" The negotiations about the Con-
gress have come to a dead-lock. The Cabinet of St. Peters-
burg refuses to make a formal declaration that the communi-
cation of the treaty to the Powers is equivalent to submit-
ting it to the Congress. The word 'submit' has given
special umbrage, because it is supposed to imply
that the Congress is a kind of tribunal, and that
Russia submits to its Jurisdiction, whereas Russia
regards it as an amicable assembly of the Powers for
the purpose of developing the principles of the treaty
and conciliating as far as possible conflicting inte-
rests. No issue out of the difficulty has yet been discovered,
and those who have the direction of affairs here appear to
have very little hope of one being found, unless diplomatic
ingenuity should, perhaps, accomplish more than is expected
of it.
"There remain, therefore, only the alternatives—namely,
that the Congress should either be held without the partici-
pation of England, or that it should not be held at all. The
former would, it is thought, have the advantage of com-
pletely isolating England and consolidating the triple
alliance ; but the latter is regarded as the more
probable. The whole question seems indeed, to
be leaving the sphere of reason and interest and
sinking into that of passion and prestige.—The Joittnal
de St. Petersbourij believes that one of the reasons why Eng-
land does not wish to go into Congress is that she wou:d and
it difficult to reconcile her promises to Greece with the en-
couragement and promises which she has given, and is still
giving, to the Porte."

The Pall Mall Gazette of Tuesday publishes the following
special telegram from Berlin A brisk exchange of Notes
and desptches is now in progress between. the Governments
of England and of Russia. The e.-0s is confirmed that
Russia has declined --ue to the terms proposed by the
Britisih n—etiament ; whereupon the latter has replied
Putut ng out the serious responsibility involved in such a
courses and the grave consequences which are likely to arise
from it. Russia is understood to have thus far given no
definite answer to this communication.

"An impression prevailshere that Russia Is likely to give
way, at any rate on some points upon which England insias ;
and if England were to consent to the exclusion of the clauses
referring to Bessarabia— which, it is alleged, concern Austria
more nearly than England—from the discusiion, it is thought
that an arrangement might yet be come to. It is fully under-
stood that England will insist upon discussing the stipula-
tions concerning the Indemnity; and, considering the
financial position of the Porte, it is understood here that
unless this point is regulated by the Powers, further demands
for equivalents in land or ships are likely to be put forward.
It is admitted that Europe requires to be secured against
such measures. Altogether there is very little hope left of
the Congress meeting, as, notwithstanding the taunts of the
Russian press, it seems a settled thing among the Govern-
ments that without England there cm be no Congress."

We (Globe) understand that preparations are being made
at Odessa for the establishment of a park of Artillery. The
guns will be chiefly those of Krupp manufacture captured
from the Turks during the late war, and will be brought by
transports from Bourgas. Arrangements are being made by
which most of the cannon taken from the Sultan's army can
be adapted to the requirements of the Russian service.
Officials have also arrived at Odesea for the purpose of con-
structing temporary barracks for a strong force of cavalry
which is shortly to arrive there.

The Journal de St. Petersbourg of Tuesday declares that
" Russia will not endure a position in which she would be
obliged to maintain her armaments for an indefinite time."

A special telegram from Berlin, in Wednesday's Pall
Mall Gazette, says :—" The rowers have declined a
suggestion made by Russia that a Congress should be held
without England, Prince Gortschakoff is now endeavour-
ing to bring about a meeting or the three Emperors and of
their Chancellors. The Russian Government is understood
to have indicated its willingness to make further
concessions to Austria and some concessions also
to Roumania, being prompted to such a course, it is
thought, by growing, apprehension of differences with
England. The German Government has, under exist-
ing cir cumstances, abandoned for the present all idea
of issuing invitations for the Congress. The Berlin Tagblatt
says that Prince Bismarck's latest attempt at mediation
between England and Russia has thus far proved unsucces-
Jul. His proposal was that Russia should indicate before-
hand the points in the treaty which she agrees should he
discussed at the Congress Up to the present, the Tagblatt
states, Russia has not replied to this proposal.

The North German Gazette of Monday evening, reviewing
the general tendency of that day's news, says that con-
sidering the situation of affairs, the meeting of the Congress
at an early date can scarcely longer be looked forward to.
It adds : "A war between England and Russia need not
yet, however, be regarded as a necessary consequence of the
attitude of England. The Russian army remains at present
near Constantinople, and its conduct will in the main be
regulated by that of the British fleet."

The Austrian Government has prohibited the further ex-
portation of Whitehead torpedoes, very large quantites of
which have been sent during the last few months to Russia.
Torpedoes are being manufactured for Russia by some
private companies at Berlin.

A Belgrade telegram says that it is reported from Sarajevo
that all contractors for soldiers' outfits and stores have re-
ceived orders instantly to despatch to their respe ctilv destina-
tions whatever they have ready.

"The Porte intends to publish the original terms of peace
demanded by General Ignatieff as soon as the present treaty
Is known, in order that the public may perceive what enor-
mous concessions the Turkish Plenipotentaries have been
enabled to obtain."—Vanity Fair.

Recruits have been called out and directed to Reline,
where large masses of troops are being concentrated.

According to Turkish official roturns there are at present
1,730,000 Alusiulmans in Bulgaria and 1,860,000 Bulgarians.

The Temps (Paris paper) refers in the following terms to
the Treaty of San Stefano :—"ln this Treaty Russian diplo-
macy has taken great pains to conceal the advantages gained
and to obviate the objections of interested parties. The
treaty is artistically conceived so as to cast upon others the
odium of conquest and the scandal of dividing the spoils."
The article concludes,—" It cannot be said in any quarter,
'Let us turn it round and judge of it from an artistic point
of view.' The treaty will remain one of the cleverest and
most redoubtable conceptions of the century.'

It would seem from information, apparently well-founded,
that the Cabinet at Berlin was prepared to support England
against Russia in her claims as to the Congress, except in
the demand that the question of the war Indemnity should
be included in the discussion. The refusal of England to
3ield the exclusion is said to account for the altered attitude
of Prince Bismarck.

The statement that the orders to the Imperial Guard to
embark for Russia has been countermanded is confirmed
from various quarters.

The Daily News Special Correspondent in Constantinople
once more warns the public against the alarming reports
from that city respecting the movements of the Russian
troops. There has been no movement whatever since permis-
sion was refused for the embarkation at Buyukdere. On the
other hand, strange and inexplicable movements are going
on in the Turkish army, which seem, our Correspondent
says, purposely intended to alarm the Russians, and induce
them to take some warlike step.

It is stated by a Vienui. paper that at a recent secret
sitting of th., Roumanian Chambers, areport from the agent
of the Government at St. Petersburg was read which stated
that the refusal of Roumania to cede Bessarabia to Russia
was regarded by the. ezar as a personal insult. In conse-
quence of the profound impreeston produced by this au-
nOunCeMent it was decided to hold another secret sitting.

According to a report made by a Sanitary Commission
which has arrtved at Erzeroum from Tillie, the exhumed
bodies of the dead in the neighbourhood of the former city
were found to be frozen and not decomposed. On account
of the ice-bound state of the earth 20,000 corpses have been
buried only two feet below the surface. The Commission is
deliberating upon the best means of preventing an epidemic,
whether by the cremation of the bodies or consuming them
by means of quicklime.

" Ths future Prince of Bulgaria i 3, we understand, to be
allowed to keep a few warships for'cot defence."--The
whole of the civil and military staff for the future govern.
ment of Bessarabia is ready at Kischeneff, and can proceed
to occupy the different ports in the district as 00011 P. 3 orders
Aram' —Vanity Foir.

No doubt is entertained at Paris (says a Correspondent),
that France will imitate the example of England, autl will
refuse to take part in the Conference; and it is tkought
probable that Italy will also abstain. If any meeting at all
takes place it will, therefore, be restricted to the three
Northern Powers.

The General blelikoff who recently died from typhus in
Armenia was a cousin of the Commander-in-Chief, who has
himself been seriously ill.

Typhus fever is very prevalent at Bucharest and at Turn-
31agurelle. It is also increasing at Constantinople.

Fifty thousand Turkish troops are encamped on the plain
of Buyukdere, and 50 battalions in the lines defending
Constantinople.

VISIT 01' THE GRAND DUKE TO THE SULTAN:

The Daily Telegraph of Wednesday publishes the
following from their Correspondent at Pera, under
date Tuesday :
"The Grand Duke Nicholas arrived to-day, by the yacht
Livadia, at the Dolma Bagtche PalacP, to pay the pro-
mised visit to the Sultan, who received him on the
stairs of the Palace and shook hands with his Impetial
Highness. They remained in company about an hour.
When the Grand Duke was passing into the Palace
the Imperial Guard presented arms and the bands
played. The Russian staff was very large, and at-
tended in full uniform, with decorations. Having
taken his leave, the Grand Duke proceeded in a small
steamer to the Beklerby Palace, where there was a band
stationed, and a guard of Russian soldiers drawn up.
Immediately afterwards the Sultan paid a return visit,
having been conveyed in a steamer to the Beklerby Palace,
where he was met by the Grand Duke on the wharf. The
interview here also occupied an hour. All the while that the
Sultan was landing the crew of the Russian steamer Livadia
continued cheering. His Majesty was accompanied to the
steamer on his departure by the Grand Duke, who sub-
sequently came to Pens, and drove through the city, where
lie was cheered by large numbers of people assembled in the
streets, especially by Greeks. The Grand Duke went to the
Russian Embassy, where the Russian arms were uncovered.
His Imperial Highness stays at the Embassy to-night."