Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-19
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
nstrfas PoSttion.

VIENNA. Feb. la-Prince Aucrspeep nreSI
dent ot the Austrian council of ministers, in
reply 20 an Interpolation In the lower houSs,
ot the ReiehSrath to-day said: The govern
ment on being informed OF the preliminariax
oi peace frankly stated its position regarding
them, declaring IL could not consider rs bind
ing any arrangement between the bclligsreatx
anectlng the interests of this monarchy or The,
rights OF the >ignatorieS Of the treaty OF Paris
as long as such arrangements were no. agreed
To by the powers. AT the same time the gov
ernment took the initiative in the convocatiou
3t a Earopean conference. The stand point OF
lis proposal for the assembly Of the confer
ence were accepted 10y all the cabinets Rus
Sia declared in favor OF a congress not a con
ference. which should not meet in the capital of
any Signatary state Negotiations on this sub
Iect are approaching conclusion. We expect
an early meeting of the congress. consequently
the government II not in a position 10 make
a tul and detailed statement OF it's
views. III L. bound. however, 10 declare gen
orally that il cannot regard some Of the peace
>hpuailonS aS conSonant with the interests OF
thc monarchy. This reservation does not ap-
ply Ia thc ameloralion of the condition
"i Ihs thliSilans but Ia such provisions az
might involve alteration of the balance OF
power IN the East Ia the detriment of Austria.
lhe government confidently hopes that the
european council VIII reach an understand
ing and solution satisfactory To ALL In any
case, the government In the present grave cir
CumsianceS, Will consider ititS duty and mis-
SION Ia secure due recognition of the political
ana material interests and dignity OF the
monarchy"
Prince Bismarck ou the Eastern
Question.
BERLIN, Feb. l9.-In the ReichStag TODAY
in response 10 an Interpolation of Herr Ben
nlgSen. Prince Bismarck stated that he had
little practically new to tell. He then dis
cusSed the separate provisions of the prelimi-
narleS OF peace, and showed that Germany'S
interests are not affected i'm such a manner as
toobllge her Ia deyiate from her previous atti-
tude. lie described the apprehenSonS respect
ing thc hardanelleS as not justified Ivy thes
actual situation. Regarding the position Tn
De taken by Germany he said he could not
now give any official information, as the docu-
menlS only came into his possession TODAY
He did not believe in a European war, as tn,
powers who opposed Russia would have 10 as
4 sumo the responsibility of the legacy left
' ny turkey Germany was in favor of hasten
ing the assembling of the conference. which
VIII meet within the first fortnight of March,
Herejected emphatically all suggestions that
Germany should intervene, and declared Shts
was willing honorably 10 mediate, but did not
Wish To exercise the office ofarbiter of Europe.
British Watch Dogs.
IONnoN, Feb. lq-The Paris CORRESPONDENCE
OF the Times telcgraphs as follows: "A tele-
gram from MALTA. received here states that i'm
addition 10 the vessels now in the bay of Muda-
ria the smaller ships, including the Torch, ivs
guns and 90 tons, Antelope, two guns and
LOIS tons. Flamingo, three guns and AZ tons,
BaSlllsk. hNe guns and l,bSO tons, and CygneI
four guns and ih5 tons, are in the RoSphOruS or
at the entrance of the Black Sea To keep watch
over the straits and hold themselves AT the dis
poSal Of the ambassador and conSulS