The Portland daily press., 1878-02-15

siding at the conference, and Austria is IN
cilned to acquiesce. Austria is disposed to
leave the fixing of the duration of the Russian
occupation of Bulgaria to the conference. A
Pera correspondent states; 1t is rumored that
the Porte, in pursuance of agreement with
Russia, will decline to send delegate to the
conference.
The London Times editorial says: The
fleet must go to Constantinople for the
protection of England's legitimate interests in
the city aad the straits. There need be no
disguise that this Is the real purpose with which
our fleet will be sent to the Bosphorus. and
Lord Derby would have done well to have
avowed this fact plaiuly, instead of evading
the responsibility by the transparent excuse of
affording protection to British subjects and
other persons, in the event of excitement in
the Turkish capital. 1t is best to avow the
simple truth that as we intend to have a voice
in the.settement of the future of both Constan-
tinople and the straits, we deem it prudent and
our plain right to assert some hold upon these
important positions.
A telegram from Athens states that &C.
cording to a semi-official telegram from
Constantnople the Porte has intimated
euhb ~ WOuiu OIuCI bAC loLto W hAO vi WV DAAS
ish feet if it attempted to enter the Darda-
nelles
Prince Bismarck has notified the parliamen-
tary leaders he will postpone answering the in
terpelation on the foreign policy in consequence
of the continual changes in the aspect of the
Eastern question.
The correspondent at Berlin telegraphs
to the London Times: 1t is reported that
torpedoes are being placed in the Bosphorus.
Russia has notified Austria that among the
questions withdrawn from consideration of the
conference are recognition of Bulgaria, the
occupation of Bulgaria by Russian troops and
the remuneration of BesSarabia. The note has
given umbrage at Vienna The Roumanian
ministers have informed the Chamber that the
Russians did not occupy the Danubian fortresses
when evacuated by the Turks, but occupied
neighboring positions
Sobdoulah Bey, Turkish Ambassador at
Berlin, has been appointed second del
egate to conduct the peace negotiations in
place of Sadyk Pasha. Vefk Effendi has
informed the Chamber that he hopes to
communicate the peace conditions four
days hence. He declared that if the Brit
ish feet passed the Dardanelles he would pro-
test, and cast the responsibility for the conse-
quences upon England.
| The relations between Russia aHd England
could hardly be more critical The announce
ment which the British Government made last
Friday, that five ironclads were ordered to go
to Constantiuople next day, appears to have
been regarded as direct challenge by Prince
Gortschakoff, inasmuch as on Sunday he in
I'D <ho hot ;u%o alod
send her troops Into the Turkish capital to pro-
tect the Christians. 1t is understood in Russia
that orders have actually been sent to the
Grand Duke Nicholas to march forthwith 1
The crisis is embittered by the refusal of the
Sultan to let the British vessels advance. In
England this will be construed as another
act of Russian perfdy and unless permission
is granted we may expect to hear of another
outburst of popular wrath. In any event, the
English war vessels are likely to advance. In
the face of Europe the British government has
declared that their presence is necessary to pro-
tect the lives and property of its subjects and it
cannot, without FORGETTING the last shred of dig
nifty. admit that it meant to defy Russia rather
than to guard its own people.
The press association says it ID understood
eoop AAOAuU 10 iuobh uOoOu w lOACO guO
Dardanells With, if necessary, the whole of his
fleet of ironclads. The matter caused a long
discussion in Tuesday cabinet council. Vefk
Effendi's declaration on Monday in the Turkish
Parliament, as reported seems to indicate,
however, that it will rot be necessary to use
force.
OTHER FOREIGN NEWS.
The death of the Pope is mentioned else
where. The Cardinals have met in Rome to
choose his successor No conjectures are
hazarded as to the name of the new Pope,
but he will doubtless be ultramontane.
After funeral services for the late King Vic
tor Emmanuel in Florence on Saturday an
Orsini bomb was thrown among the retiring
crowd and five persons were slightly injured
The police With difficulty prevented the lynch
ing of the person who threw the bomb, who is
probably insane.
BRIEF MENTION.
The bank of North America has reduced its
capital to $780, O0.--4O0.OOO tons of ice have
been harvested on the Hudson river this sea-
son.--There was an immense anti-free trade
demonstration at Pittsburg, Penn, Saturday
pight.--Theodore Roosevelt, one of the
wealthiest citizens Of New York, who was re-
Gently nominated collector of that port and re-
jected by the Senate, died Saturday night.-The
Fenians are talking about raid on Canada in
case England becomes involved in war with
Russia.--It is reported that Secretary Sher-
man will resign If the Bland bill becomes
law.--Reoeiver Jewett of the Erie railway
has been held in $4,000 on charge of perjury.
The coast defences of the Dominion are to
be placed in an effective state.--A despatch
from Fort Claggett, Montana, gives the details
of Sitting Bulls plot to enlist ell the Northern
tribes of Indians 10 raid upon the whites 1t
failed because the tribes would not listen to his
proposition.--Hon. Charles NJ Conrad, for
merly q. S. Senator from Louisiana and Sec
rotary of War under Fillmore died Monday
aged 73.--The GreenbacB Labor Reform
party elected their entire ticket in Corning, N
Y, Thursday, by 700 majority.