The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-05-04
FOR EIG N.
The TurcO-RuSsian War.
Rumored Capitulati0n of a
Turkish Corps.
Roumania Anxious to Ally Herself
with Russia.
The Situation on the Danube
Unchanged.

Little change in the situation in the East is
to be noted this morning. On the 30th of April
Turkish gunboat on the Danube undertook
the bombardment of Ibrai, but was driven off
by Russian guns. Roumania wants to form an
alliance with Russia, but the latter opposes it
and is UNIV illing to have Roumanian troops CO.
operate with her unless under the command of
Russian generals. Roumania's representatives
abroad announce that they have discovered
conclusive proof of an alliance between Russia,
Germany and Austria. The Russian adj
vance is delayed by bad roads conse-
quent upon heavy rains. Russian engin-
GERS are preparing to bridge the Danube.
A rumor, not we'll authenticated however,
comes from Bucharest that the Russians had
compelled Turkish corps In Armenia to Ca
pltulate. Turkish officials deny that there has
been any serious fighting about Kars, and Off
cial Russian dispatches up to May LIST claim
none. A Vienna correspondent of the London
Times asserts that Russia's declaration of war
was fastened by the fear that Turkey would
appeal to the Treaty of Paris and thus prolong
negotiations.
LONDON, May.-The Wanna correspondent
of the Times shows how the Russians pre-
cipitated the declaration of war. He says they
had agreed with Roumania to give the Cham
bers time to pass convention before the entry
into Roumania commenced. The precipitation
was not due to military reasons, as Russian
movements in Roumania since have shown
that delay would have been advantageous,
enabling Russia to more thoroughly complete
her preparations-but the Turks at the last
moment showed some hesitation and seemed
prepared to appeal to the eighth article of the
Treaty of Paris before Russia actually decided.
Had this been done before war was declared,
Russia could not have refused to listen, aud
new course of negotiations would have COM
menced. Russia seems to have declared war
Intentionally to prevent this.
A despatch from Bucharest, dated April 30,
says fire opened Monday morning between the
Russian batteries near 1brail and three Turk
ish monitors. The latter began to lombard
Ibrail, but were compelled, towards noon, to
withdraw before the Russian fire. The loss eff
life and damage in Ibrail is unknown.
Reports are current of a Turkish defeat at
Kars, and the capitalization of Turkish corps,
but the Turkish minister of war is understood
to have contradicted these rumors.
A despatch from Moscow announces that
preparations on the largest scale are making
for the reception of the Gar Numerous lib
eral private donations were made on behalf of
wounded Russians.
LONDON, May 3-The Times Bucharest cor
respondence, dated April 20, gives the following
as summary of the situation in regard to
Roumania: When the Russians crossed the
Piuth the Roumanians were nearly frightened
out of their senses for fear the Turks might
execute their oft repeated threat of crossing the
Danube. The government at Bucharest was
loud in professions of neutrality, publishing
manifesto declaring their intention to remain
perfectly neutral, and with the resolution of
withdrawing all their forces into the interior
mysterious fatality the Roumanian troops and
artillery seemed to gravitate towards the Dan
ube instead of the interior. AS each day les
sened the danger of Turks crossing the Danube
and as the Russians continued to cross the
frontier the courage of the Roumanias rose and
within the last 48 hours we have heard much
less of Roumanian neutrality.
A later despatch says that seven Bulgarians
were arrested at Rustchuk for signing an adj
dress to their fellow countrymen.
The Times Pera correspondent writes that
Safvet Pasha's note to the powers appealing to
the 9Th article of the treaty of Paris, is sup
posed to be due to the suggestion of Mr.. Lay
ard. 1t is stated that the council of ministers
disappr0ved the note by large majority, but
at the palace it met full appreciation.
A despatch, dated Erzeroum, May I'd, says:
ga son of Schamyl, the famous Circassian
chieftain, is expected to take command of the
Circassians, who, however, refuse to submit to
military organization. Mukhtar Pasha's army is
at Zeinkay, 40 miles west of Kars. A Russian
division is also operating there.
In the House of Commons Mr.. Bourke,
Under Secretary of the Foreign Department,
said that the blockade of the Black SEES, the
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles has not yet
been established. He has no information of
the loss of the British steamer by torpedo,
at Kertsch, but has enquired in relation thereto
OF the consul at Kertsch.
Lloyd's telegram fromC onstantinople has the
following: The British steamer Wallachia
arrived here, having been ordered to leave
Galatz. The blockade of the Black Sea may
be declared at any moment. Several British
steamers therefore are staying here. A Rns-
sian prize has been brought here with cargo
of salt.
A despatch from Bucharest, dated April 30th,
says fire opened this morning between the
Russian batteries near Ibrail and three Turkish
monitors. The latter began to lombard 1brail,
but were compelled towards noon to withdraw
before the Russian fire. Loss of life and dam
age in Ibrail unknown.
In the House of Commons to-day Mr.. Elch0
offered the following amendment to Mr.. Glad
stones resolutions:
''That the House, while anxious to promote
the well being of the Christian subjects of the
Sultan and all the races under his rule, con-
dennis interference of foreign powers by force
of arms in the internal administration of the
Ottoman Empire, and this House is satisfied
that Her Majesty's government while main
tanning neutrality as long as our interests are
not affected by the war which Russia
is waging against Turkey, will not fail to
take such steps as would enable them, should
occasion arise, promptly to protect our interests
and maintain our empire in the East"
CoNsrANTINoPLE, May 3.-The Turkish Off
cial journal states that no important battle has
been fought in Armenia. The Russian van
guard only made its appearance at Batoum.
1t is stated that the Russians have occupied
an island in the Danube near Ibrail, and left
the banks of the river as far as the mouth of
the Kilia.
1t is expected that the Turkish squadron will
shortly be sent to Crete.
The Turkish authorities hava received orders
to evacuate Saitschar and the neighboring dis
trict of Seryia.