The Portland daily press., 1878-01-04
FOREIGN.
The TurcO- Russian War.
EARL CARNARYON'S PACIFIC
UTTERANCESo
The Powers Said to Have Yielded
q Point to Russia.
FOREIGN.

LONDON, Jan. 3.-Thhe Earl of Carnarvon's
conciliatory speech yesterday to q deputation
of South American merchants will be gener-
ally accepted as determining in the affirmative
the question whether England will consent to
the principle of separate negotiations between
Russia and Turkey. All other signatoriies of
the Treaty of Paris admitted the claim of Rus
sia to begin and carry on separate negotiations,
but reserved their rights as co-SignatOrieS of
that treaty and for the protection of their own
interests to participate in the final settlement.
The following is a portion of Earl Carnaryon's
speech:
81 hope sincerely that the Russian govern
ment and people will remember that many of
the questions arising at this moment are ques-
tions not for settlement by the two bellligerents
alone. They involve European interests.
Tbey are European questions and we, as a
member OF the European family, have not only
the right to be heard upon them, but it is very
important we should have distinct voice 10 the
hnal settlement of them. L do not feel any
difficulty in reconciliDg these two views, pro-
vided only there is reasonable management and
moderation on each side.'
The Times despatch from Vienna points out
that by admitting that Russia may negotiate
separately the powers recognize the privileged
position she has SO long claimed in the settle
ment of the Eastern question and to CANCEL
which was one of the main objects, if not the
chief one, of the treaty Of Paris. The des-
patch saws:
"By allowing Russia to take upon herself
the enforcement of certain things upon Turkey
the powers have indeed already taken great
step in this direction, but SO long as Europe
upho.ds the principle that no negotiation could
be carried on between two belligerents them
selves this privileged position assumed by Rus
sia would close the moment negotiation begun.
If, on the contrary, tine principles of separate
negotiations is admitted. an exceptional posi-
tion is thereby sanctioned and it becomes only a
question how far this exceptional position is to
extend. The firm ground is abandoned and in
spite OF all reservation the powers have given
up their right of participating in the settle
nent of the question. The disnclnation
shown by the British government to
encourage separate negotiations is an
Indication that it was aware of the
importance of the principle at stake.
Still, as the principle which is an European
one and could only acquire validity by the joint
will of all, or at least most of the powers, has
been abandoned by all except England, there
remains but the alternative for England either
to dispute siugle handed the claims of Russia
or follow the example of the other powers, and
make reservations on paper or secure guaran-
tees. We hear from ST. Petersburg that the
intercourse between Prince Gortschakoff the
Russian Foreign Secretary, and Lord Lotus,
British Ambassador, on this matter has been
of the most friendly character. and that the
telegraphic reply sent from st. Petersburg was
drawn up jointly by them. As for all the re-
ports that the Porte has already come to re-
solution accepting armiStice in principle, they
seem premature. 1t is not likely anything de-
eisve will be done till Russias reply is official
ly communicated by England. The decision of
Turkey will no doubt depend in great meas
ure on the decision of England.
The Times leading editorial says: Oncs mora
in the midst of disquieting rumors we have the
satisfaction to report resssuring statement
made by one of the ministers and at the pres
ent moment it ought to ba regarded as finally
deciding the position assumed by this country.
We may interpret his words as meaning at
least as much as they say and the unmstak able
expression of the present view of the ministry.
What then is the upshot Of Earl Carnarvon's 8
speech? 1t is an emphatic, peculiarly en-
phatic, reiteration of the national policy which
ministers on all responsible occasions have
again and again asserted This decisive dec
lsration has been made not all too soon, but il
ought to terminate finally the alarm and ex-
citement by which the public have bsen recent
ly disturbed For this purpose it should be
ooly necessary to add single consideration to
Earl Carnarvon's statement. If this is the de-
liberate judgment of member of the cabinet is
1T conceivable that any less decisive opinion can
be entertained by the nation as whole? If
there be any disposition anywhere to enter this
war, if insanity of such a kind anywhere
prevails it is to be found beyond ques.
ton in the conservative, rather than the liberal
ranks and if the Earl Of Carnarvon cannot con-
ceive arepetition of the policy of the Crmean
war by his own party, is it for a moment 10 be
supposed that the other half of the nation
would entertain it? 1t should be clearly under
stood that the most earnest and energetic sec.
tion of the community il prepared to act decis-
lively without wavering in support of the prin-
ciples laid down by Earl Carnarvoll. Let ii be
understood once and for all that the most re-
sponsible leaders in both parties deem the poli-
cy of the Crimean war so obsolete that it woul
be insanity to revive it and there will be an end
of the present uniustiiable scare.
The Times correspondent at Bucharest tele.
graphs:
The opening of communications between the
Servians and the Russian army of the Vid is
very important as the latter can draw supplies
from the former when required in consequence
of Interruptions across the Danube. The river
is not frozen over and the flow of ice is inter-
mittent. 1t descends ten or twelve hours and
then ceases for about the same time. In the
same intervals between the ice flows communi-
cation is carried on in desultory way by fiat
boat transporting wagon and several horses
or bullocks.
VIENNA, Jan. "a special to the Political
Correspondence from Bucharest states that a
short time ago the Turks attempted to open
confidential negotiations with the Russian
headquarters for an armistice. The attempt
was unsuccessful as the kussians considered
that they ought to receive an equivalent for the
advantages the Porte would derive from being
able to organize its forces during the arlnis-
tice.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Jan. 3.-Mukhtar Pasha
has arrived here. Sueiman Pasha telegraphs
that the army from Kamarlie arrived safely at
Slatitza. Baker Pasha with six battalions and
four guns covered its retreat, sustaining
throughout Tuesday the attacks from 80 battal.
ions of Russians with ten guns, on whom he n-
ficted heavy loss. Baker Pasha lost 900 killed
ERzERoUM, Jan. 3.-The Russians continue
concentrating troops on the plain of Erzeroum.
The movements on the Deve Boyun heights
are visible from the Turkish Notifications.
-Four Russian infantry battalons and regi-
ment of dragons have occupied the village of
Ozin near the road to Trebzond. Every prep
aration is made here for a prolonged siege.
LONDON, Jan. 4.-The Standards Bucharest
special reports that Austrian subjects IN Rou-
mania liable to military service, have been or
dered to return home within ten days.
Foreign Notes.