The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-25

The Roumanian declaration of independence
caused little sensation in Vienna. All the
Hungarian papers, however, declare that the
hour of action has arrived for Austro-Hungary.
A letter from Kossuth is published urging an
alliance between Hungary and. Turkey to de-
fend their independence against their common
enemy, namely, Russia
A Paris paper has this report: Private
information confirms the fact that note
has been communicated to the st. Peters,
burg Cabinet by the English Embassy, on
questions connected with Constantinople and
the Suez Canal now and hereafter. This docu-
ment is cor:hed in conciliatory terms, and we
are assured that an understanding has already
been arrived at between Russia and England,
both in in substance and form as regards the
Suez canal, and in substance as regards Con-
stantinople.
A despatch from Athens to LIE Temps says
that war between Greece and Turkey is now
considered inevitable. The Premier at the
opening of the Chamber will deliver speech
tending to war, which it is thought will break
out within 20 days at least.
THE FRENCH CRISIS.
Another element of disturbance has arisen
in Europe which may have far-reachipg conse-
quences President MacMahon has suddenly
plunged France into ministerial crisis. Find
ing that the Chamber had repealed an obnox-
ious press law, and also passed a bill according
publicity to the sessions of municipal councils,
he concluded that the Deputies were going too
far. He supposed that they were even too lib
eral for M. Simon, who, the President as
sumed, was overborne both on the press law
and the municipal bill. Accordingly he called
on M. Simon for explanations, intimating in
effect that if he could not control the deputies
he ought to resign. M. Simon's letter in reply
shows that the President was wrong. The
Premier desired only to retain that part of the
press law Furnishing insults to foreign sover-
eigns, WHILE as regards the municipal bill, he
had taken steps to have the vote reconsidered.
The interview which succeeded the Presidents
letter defines the situation. The President
said he had gone as far as he possibly could,
and he would proceed no further in the wake
of the Chamber. He intended reverting to his
former opinions, and would constitute Min
istry from the Liberal Right Center. President
MacMahon concluding said. 81 belong to the
to the Left" The President rejoined, II per-
ceive that only too well.' Soon after this the
whole Cabinet decided to resign. The Republi-
can Deputies promptly assembled, and under
the leadership of M. Gambetta resolved to face
the situation firmly. The new Cabinet is thor.
oughly reactiouary, having as its real chief NJ
Fourtou, an ardent Bonapartist. Its formation
was followed by the suspension of the sittings
of the Chamber of Deputies for one month
Meantime there will be no legislative body to
disapprove the acts of the Ministry, and there
is reason to believe that the old game of muz-
zling the Republic will be carried out as sue
cessfully as possible, considering the infam-
mable condition of the public mind, on one
side, and the weight Of physical force on the
other. 1t must be confessed that the situation
is very grave. The coup of MacMahon, what
ever r1ay be its purpose was as uncalled for as
it was arbitrary. 1t has resulted in placing at
the head of affairs Cabinet VIGOROUSLY out Of
harmony with the majority of the Chamber of
Deputies and out of harmony. one may add,
with the country. This has been done for the
purpose of perverting or sitting public senti-
ment If it does not fail before the Deputies
reassemble, a dissolution is inevitable. The
violence and disorder which marked the final
adjournment sufficiently indicate the temper
with which the Deputies dispense. 1t will be
surprising if the excitement thus manifested
does not rise to storm before many weeks
elapse.
Some understanding of the present crisis
may be reached By keeping in view the follow
ing tacts The present Chamber of Deputies,
which may be called the French House of Rep
resentatives, is too thoroughly Republican to
suit the Right, or Conservative party, to which
MacMahon avows his allegiance. A preteyt is
sought to dissolve the Mnistry-also objection
able to the Men of the Right-and ultimately
to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies. This has
practically been accomplished. The new Cabi-
net is chosen with the view of managing the
approaching elections in the interest of the
Anti-Republcans For not only will the ma
chinery by which portion of the Senate is to
be chosen be in the hands of M. Fourtoa and
his accomplices, but new Chamber of Depu-
ties must undoubtedly be elected. The present
Chamber will be dissolved when the enforced
vacation of one month is over. Thus it is pro-
posed by this coup d etat, to replace the present
lower house by one which shall sympathize
with the party represented by MacMahon and
his new Cabinet.
Preparations are already made to apply the
administrative screw throughout France.
Twenty-Five Projects have been dismissed,
twenty-one are changed to other places, and
sixteen are shelved. This is 10 be followed by
instructions from the astute NJ Fourtou, giving
the new Projects an outline of the Govern
ments policy. This is precisely what was to be
expected. 1t is the Old game of working the
oppressive Capitalization machine for the pur-
pose of controlling popular elections. All ''le-
gal means" are to be used by the Projects to
prevent the placarding of the manifesto of the
Left, and everybody knows how much muzzl-
ing of the press may be accomplished in France
by so-called legal methods.
OTHER FOREIGN NEWS
Advices from San Domingo of
May 9th are received. A political
conspiracy was discovered May 7th in San Do
mingo city. Thirty persons implicated were
arrested and others took refuge in the different
consulates. Subsequently guards were station
ed before the dwellings of all the consuls to
prevent their further use as asyums. Great
CONSERVATION prevailed and revolution SEEM
ed imminent. Kiernan's dispatches announce
the recall of Prince Bismarck by the Emper-
or William. The London stock market is de-
pressed and prices have declined on the report
that Prince Bismarck is recalled to
Berlin by an imperial decree. Prince
Bismarck arrived 10 response to
summons from the Emperor William
A ministerial council is being held today,
the Emperor presiding. 1t is expected
an important resolution in regard to the
future policy of Germany towards France will
be adopted. A later telegram states
that the arrival of Bismarck in Ber-
lin is not the result of any sudden
determination nor is there any special
political reasons for lit having been arranged
beforehand as part of the general programme
of his journey.
BRIEF MENTION.
Rains have extinguished the bush fires.--
The Late Mrs. Prof. Larned of New Haven.
nn