The Portland daily press., 1877-03-20
FOR ZIG N.
THE EAsTE RN QUESTION,

CoNsTANTIooPLE, March 19-The popular
feeling against Mahmoud Dawad is gaining
ground. Thirty Softas were arrested Tuesday
The minister Of police was dismissed because
he was not sufficiently watchfu A large body
of Softas went to the Palace Wednesday and
demanded the release of their comrades
Threatening revolutionary placards are increas-
ing and people within the place are becoming
anxious.
Opening Of the Turkish Parliament.
CONsTANTINoPLE, March 19.-The Turkish
parliament met to-day, and was opened by the
Sultan in person. The prime minister, the
chief civil, military and religious dignltares
and the foreign charges d'affaires, except
those of Germany and Russia who were re-
presented by dragomans were present. The
first secretary of the Sultan read the speech
from the throne. A considerable number of
Senators and Deputies were in attendance.
The Sultan IN his speech reviews Turkeys
efforts at reform during the recent time. He
says that after the Crimean war the couatry
would have commenced new era of progress
and prosperity it intrigaes and culpable agita-
ton had not paralized the forts of the govern
ment by ooligitg it to waste its resources on
warke expenditure, These causes and bad
financial administration forced the govern
ment on the outbreak out of the insurrectlon
in herzegovina to reduce the interest on the
public debt The Sultan having been called to
the throne under the most difficult circumstan-
ces fl st placed the army in a condition to in
sure the security and independence of the
country and then devoted all his efforts to in
ternal reform by the promulgating of charter
which following the example of most the civil
liked states made the nation participate in the
administration of public affairs.
The Prospect Clsuded.
LONDON, March 19.-The Pail Mall Gazette
thinks the confidence in peace is not as we'll
grounded as il might be, as Russia might object
to disarmament even it accepting other propos-
ais.
A Touch of War.
A telegram from lara says there was six
hours obstinate lighting between the Turks and
Bosnians, Saturday, and between Baraventura
and Drezgnai. Both sides suffered heavily and
the Turks retired upon Livno.
The Monlenegriu Negotiations.
LONDON, March ia Daily Telegraph's
special from Pera announces that the answ er
OF the Prince of Montenegro to the inquiry of
the Montenegrin delegates has arrived. A
peaceful solution appears possible, as it is
thought likely that the Prince will assent to
q dlminution of the concessions he asks
The DAILY Telegraph, in sketch of the
situation, says there is good reason to believe
that Emperor Williams personal influence is
being very strongly exercised in support of
England's efforts for peaceful concert.
The Bosnian Revolt.
The official Journal at Serajevo reports furth-
er conflicts with the Insurgents in the Rozaya
BILE on the part of the Turkish troops on the
ServIan and Drina frontiers. A correspondent
writes from Razava that he has Just visited the
Bosnian Insurgents. They number $500 well
armed men and held excellent positions.
The Turkish Army.
LONDON, March 20.-A correspondent of the
Times at Pera, under date of March 18th,
writes that several highly distinguished Euro
pean officers, who for long time have been
DILIGENTLY investigating the strenpt of tho
Turkish army, state that the official estimates
are vastly exaggerated. The Turks really have
on the Danubeau frontier and in Bosnia and
Herzegovina, 159 600 men, with what seems
sadly credible, 225 cannons. This force they
are preparing to strengthen with reserve of
$4,000 men, They have on the Assatc frontier
about $4,000 men and II cannon. Altogether
their army numbers 259,0 600.
Concession ON the Part of Montenegro.
LONDON, March 10 The Montenegrin min |
lister OF war has arrived in Italy on his way to |
Brescia, to purchase arms. The Pince of Mon |