The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-05
FOR:EI N.
FO RE IG N.
The TurcO-Russian War.
THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE AT
URZITCHENI.
Austria Declares q Policy Of
Neutrality.
England Fitting Out Her Turreted
Ships.

Some firing has taken place on the Danube,
the Turkish monitors bombarding Isaktchi, a
small town between REM and Tultcha, where
the Russians are building bridge. The Rus.
sian advance guard has reached Urzitcheni
and is believed to intend to march toward
Hirchova, where there is an easy crossing of
the Danube. Roumania will probably form a
direct alliance with Russia and put her army
in the field to cooperate with her. Austria has
de clared her intention to preserve neutrality so
long as size can do so without jeopardizing her
interests.
ATHENS, May 1.-The English declar alton of
neutrality has plunged the Greeks in despair
They say if Turkey is victorious, they gain
nothing and if Russia conquers, they lose all
chance of gaining Macedonia and Thrace. A
military company has been organized, and un-
less resolutely opposed by the government, will
cross the frontier in day or two, not SO much
to fight as to exasperate the Turks, and pro-
woke collision between Greece and the Porte
The nation does not approve this course. The
idea is preached OF sending note to the
are abandoned.
LONDON, May 4.-The Telegraph's special
from Bucharest says the bombardment of
Ibrail was probably precpitated by the con
cluson of an offensive alliance between Rou-
mania and Rnssis, which is already regarded
as inevitable by leading Roumanian politicians
of all parties.
The Post announces that Iskenderkhan,
nephew of the Amer of Afghanistan, started
for Constantinople from London las: night, to
offer his services to the Sultan
A Berlin despatch says: The Turkish circular
dated May I'd, was presented to this govern
ment yesterday. 10 reference to the Russo.
Roumania convention, the Porte protests against
the convention as an illegal act of the prirci-
pality, facilitating invasion"
In the Austrian Reichsrath and Hungarian
Diet today the ministers made identical replies
to the Interpolation about the Eastern ques-
ton to the following effect: Austria maintains
the attitude of benevolent interest in the Chris
tian subjects of the Porte, and while observing
strict neutrality reserves the right to protect its
sation or a lOcalziDg of the conflict.
The Post says: "We are given to understand
that with view to possible eventualities in the
East the government has resolved to fit for sea
with the utmost expedition the whole class of
small turret ships, of which the Hecate and
Citation are types These vessels, though arm
or plated, are of comparatively light draught.
They carry four powerful guns each. The He
cate will probably be first ready for sea-"
BUCHAREST, May 4.-The Official Journal
publishes the Princes assent to the convention
with Russia. 1t is reported the bombardment
day evening.
RAGUsA May 4.-The Montenegrins hold the
Duga pass, and are blockadlng Garousko and
Nicsics. SULLIVAN Pasha with 10000 men is
advancing to relieve Garousko. Severe fight
ing is expected.
10000 South Albanians to take arms on the
condition of Montenegro being given up to
plumber. All the Northern Albanian clans
favor the Montenegrins.
GALATz, May About fifty shots have
been exchanged between the Russian batteries
at 1brail and a Turkish turret ship and gun
boat. The Russian batteries and the town are
uniDjured. The apparent object of the Turks
was to ascertain the strength and position of
the batteries.
CONsTANTINoPLE, May THE press law of
1865 is suspended, and newspapers are now
placed altogether under administrative con.
troll.
The Porte notified the representatives of
the Powers yesterday that it had declared
blockade of the Black Sea- A delay of three
days is granted to vessels wishing to enter, and
five days to those intending to leave the Black
Sea.
A despatch from Moukhtar Pasha, April so,
announces that the Russians have advanced in
great force towards Kars in westerly direc-
ton with the object of interrupting the Turk
ish communications with Erzeroum. The
Turkish commander, leaving a sufficient force
in Kars, marched out with nine battalious and
occupied the village of SeblOkh near Yardin,
west of Kars. According to telegram from
the Turkish commander at Batoum, the Rus
sian military operations were arrested by rainy
weather.
CAIRO, May 4.-The Khedive has telegraph.
ed to ConstantinOple that the Egyptian cOntin-
gent now in Turkey, numbering 5000 men, will
be raised to 1900.
VIENNA, May 4.-Count Itchy, Austrian
NH n the Porto will pvOhahIu
for Constantinople with the Prince of Reuss on
the 18th inst.
ATHENS, May Through some misunder-
standing, conflict occurred on the frontier of
Epir1s between the Greek troops and Turk.
ish detachment, which had crossed the frontier
in search of brigands An extraordinary ses-
sion of the Greek Assembly has been convoked
May 18th.
BUCHAREST, May A consul at Galatz
telegraphs that Turkish monitor has been
firing on the batteries below REM since II
o'clock this morning. The point of attack is
probably Isaktchi or Isakia, between REM and
Tultcha, where the Russians are constructing
bridge. The cannonade was between the Rus
sian batteries and a gunboat which was explor-
ing the mouth of the Pruth.
A decree has been issued at Belgrade forbid.
ding Servians leaving the country without
permission from the authorities. This order is
undoubtedly prompted by the prospect of a
general mobilization of Servian troops.
PARIS, May 4.-Russia is making great
efforts to raise q loan here. French German
and Dutch bankers have nearly arrived at an
agreement about it.
BUCHAREST, May 4.-The Russian advance
guard has reached sUrzitcheni, south of Buseo
The road there divides, one branch leading east
ward to Guragalonica, nearly opposite the
Turkish town of Hirchova, and the other south
to Kalarach, opposite Sllistria. At Hirchova
the Danube is compressed iuto one channel, the
banks of which are not marshv
The passage here is much easier than at any
other point between Silstria and Galatz.
Hirchova is also much less strongly defended
than Silistria. 1t is probable a strong CORDS of
Russians will be concentrated at Guragalonica
and Kalaraoh, either to force crossing or
keep the garrisons at Silstria and Hirchova oc-
cupied while crossing is effected elsewhere.
English travellers from the interior of Tur-
key state that the reports of Moslem enthusi-
asm are much exaggerated.
PERA, May 4.-The Porte has assured Mr..
Layard that state of siege will not be pro-
claimed unless necessary. The Porte has ncs
titled the German embassy that Russians will
be permitted to reside in Turkey.
BELGRADE, May 4-The Grand Duke Mich |
olas has ordered Gen. Fadarief to repair in
stantly to Jassy. The Servian Red Cross |
Society is sendipg ambulances to Roumania |
and Montenegro. A council of ministers, at |
which Prince Milan presided, was held on |
to consider the question of the |
of the army. Refugees are be-