The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-11

1
| in India. The British fleet has gone to the
| Mediterranean, the arsenals are filling up with
munitions of war, and the army is being
| rapidly placed on war footing Reso-
lutions introduced by Mr. Gladstone in
the House Of Commons, censuring the Gov
eminent for neglecting to ally itself with Rus
| STA have provoked long and angry debate. The
| reply of Lord Derby to the Russian circular
| note is regarded as menace 1t dissents from
| the conclusions therein expressed, and says
that England cannot endorse Russia's declara-
tion of war. 'Russian policy is" says the an
swer Sin contravention of the stipulation Of
| the treaty of Paris by which Russia and the
other powers engaged to respect the independ-
ence and territorial integrity of the Ottoman
empire. In the conference of London in 1871,
at the close of which the above stipulation with
| others was again confirmed, the Russian plepi-
potentiary, in communication with those of the
other powers, signed a declaration affirming it
to be an essential principle of the law of nations
that no power can liberate itself from the en-
gagement of treaty nor modify the stipula-
tiens thereof, unless with the consent of the
contracting parties, by means of an amicable
arrangement. In taking action against Turkey
on his own part, and having recourse to arms
without further consultation with his allies, the
Emperor of Russia has separated himself from
European concert, and has, at the same time,
departed from the rule to which he himself
had solemnly recorded his consent. 1t is i'm
possible to foresee the consequences of such an
| act Her Majesty's government would willing
| ly have refrained from any observations in re-
IL n-:.. oloI~S
to assume, in his declarations addressed to all
the governments of Europe, that Russia is act
Ing in the interest of Great Britain and the
other powers, they feel bound to state, in
manner equally formal and public, that the de-
cison of the Russian government is not one
which can have their concurrence or approval"
1t is certain both Turkish and Russian
troops are being hurried into Asia Mi
or with all speed and in vast numbers.
The main object of the Russians at present ap-
pears to be the investment of Erzeroum. The
Turks are throwing strong reinforcements into
| the place and the Russians are advancing from
several directions.
1t is reported that Russian emissaries
are in every port on the Atlantic coast,
in constant communication with the comman-
any vessel now loading arms and ammunition
for Turkey should sail, one of the Russian
men-of-war will pursue and capture it, Should
such an event take place, the Turkish govern
ment could claim exemplary damages, as the
Porte has formally notified the United States
of the war against Russia
The Turks have begun the bombardment of
Kalafat from Widin. Kalafat is garrsoned by
the Roumanians and this assault is equivalent
to declaration of war against Roumania Rou-
mania will declare her independence. The
attitude of England and especially Derby's
reply has inspired at Constantinople strong
| hopes of aid from that country. Both bellige-
| rents and hurrying reinforcements to Asia in
anticipation of decisive contest at Erzeroum.
The Times Vienna correspondent says of the
military situation in Asia: A simultaneous ad-
vance by the caravan road from Bayazid which
touched Erzeroum on the left from Alexandra
pol to Kars in the centre, and on the right to-
wards Batoum, leaves little doubt that the OBJ
ject of the Russians is Erzeroum and not Kars
All these lines converge on Erzeroum. The
position Mukhtar Pusha occupies commands
junction of the two roads which lead from
Kars through the passes of Soghaule ard
Dagh, but unfortunately besides the Russian
centre which is advancing from Kars. there are
also indications of an advance from the two
wings. As regards the advance on the left
now that Bayazid is taken, there seems moth
| ing to stop this column from moving up to the
| plateau of Imdogh which is a strong defensive
position, but lies in the rear Of the position &C.
| cupied by Mukhtar. As regards the opera
tions of the Russian right wing the advance on
Batoum was probably feint to mask the
advance of column up the valley
of the Tchuneckson. Once in the valley the
Russians get on fine road converging on Ezer-
cum from the northeast, that is, to the rear of
the two positions which bar the way to the re-
naming two Russian columns. AS it may be
supposed, the Russians will try to effect juno
| ton of their three columns. Each of them
| will support the advance of the other two, and
| if the wing columns come on sooner, Mukhtar's
| position, with them in his rear will become I'M
tenable and he will be obliged to take position
close in front of Ezeroum
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