The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-09

first produced, and the more cool headed
among them begin to perceive that the best
policy is to make the most of what has been OBJ
tanned.
Mr. Cross, Secretary of the Home Depart
ment, made the following statement in the
Commons this afternoon in reply to an inquiry
of harrington: In view of the retention of
Batoum by Russia a conditional convention
was concl lded on the 4th OF June last with the
Porte, England agreeing to defend Turkey
against aggression and the Porte ceding Cyprus
which will be Immediately occupied by Eng
land Sir Garnet Woolsley will be appointed
to administer the affairs of the island.
The official correspondence in relation to the
occupation of the island of Cyprus has been
made public. Lord Salisbury, writing to Min
lister Layard May 80, explains the necessity Of
an arrangement to counterfeit the influences in
the direction of disintegration which the mere
possession by Russia OF Batoum and the fort
resses north of the Orayes would exercise upon
the population of Asatic Turkey, even ii it
should be certain that these places weuld not
become the base from which the emissaries of
intrigue could issue to be followed in due
course by the invading armies. The despatch
states that private negotiations have shown
that Russia is not inclined to modify those por
tions of the treaty of San Stefano which relate
to Asia. Lord Salisbury lays stress upon Its
being an indispensable part of any agreement
that England shall receive the right to insist on
satisfactory arrangements for the good govern
ment of Asiatc Turkey.
The following are the features OF the conven-
ton between Great Britain and Turkey: 1t is
stipulated that if Batoum, Kars and Arabian
are retained by Russia, and if an attempt is
made at any future time to annex a portion of
the Sultans territory in Asia not ceded by a
defnitive treaty of peace, Great Britain en-
cages to join the Sultan in defending his terri
tory by force of arms, The Sultan in return
promises to introduce the necessary reforms to
be agreed upon later. In order to enable Great
Britain tn AXE the nACAsSarV nr0Visiop q
ecuting her engagement the Sultan consents to
cOnsign the island of Cyprus to be occupied and
administered by Great Britain, who agrees to
pay to the Porte the present excess of the is
lands revenue over its expenditures Finally
Great Britain engages to evacuate the island
and terminate the conve ntion if Russia restores
Batoum. Kars and Arabian to Turkey. The
convention is to be ratified within month.
BERLIN, July S.-The Congress was in
session four hours to day. The Agence Russo
says that compromise appears to have been
reached in private interviews in regard to the
the claims of the Lazs.
CoNsTANTNoPLE, July S.-Safvet Pasha has
asked Minister Layard to consent to the expul'
sion of Gallenga, the correspondent of the
London Times from Constantinople. Layard
referred the matter to the consular judge.
LONDON, July Sit appears the Congress
were occupied yesterday with minor questions.
1t endorsed the cession of the province of Ka-
tour to Persia and decided that the powers
should periodically receive reports on the con-
d1tlOn of the Armenians. 1t settled the Ser
Wan boundary question, aloting Prot to Ser.
| via and referred the details of the Roumelian
boundary question to commission to act on
the spot.
LONDON. July ga Belgrade despatch says
the commandant Of the Servian troops on the
Java frontier rports that Osman Pasha with
10000 men entered Bosnia. No confidence can
be placed in the report.
Times Bucharest despatch saws the excjte-
ment is calming and many papers advise com.
pliance with the decision of the Congress. The
Roumanian delegates returned from Berlin on
Sunday night and were to report at the secret
sitting in the chamber Monday.
Times leading editorial remarks that the
British troops are now doubtless on the way to
| Cyprus and the occupation of the island is at
this moment being carried into effect.
LONDON, July 8.-Times Berlin despatch
says it is said the Russions have requested the
| postponement of the Batoum question till
| Tuesday, not because a settlement was doubt,
full but to give time for reflection on and con-
firmation of the reports of the Anglo-Turkish
treaty.
Lord Beaconsfeld made no motion of the
treaty at to-day's session of the Congress, and
probably will not do so, for if he did he would
thereby admit the right of the Congress to
discuss the treaty, a right which England can
not admit as the treaty does not modify the
treaty of Paris. 1t IS probably that Bussia will
assent to this view.