The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-03
Direct Negotiation Between Russia
and Turkey Probable.
ENGLAND DEMANDS A VOICE.
Significant Speech of King Victor
Emmanuel.
STANLEY IN CAIRO.


graphs, under date of Tuesday, that on that
day some Christian families attempted to
enter the town of Retimo but were met at
the gate by Turkish mob and assaulted
with great violence. The fanatical Turkish
populace assembled in large numbers and
| treated the unfortunate Christians with
| great barbarity, men, women and children
faring equally badly at their hands. The
Mohammedan rabble grew very much ex-
cited and for some time massacre of the
| Christians was feared.
THE ENGLISH VICE CONSUL ATTACKED.
Having closed the gates of the town on
the Christians the infuriate mob turned
their attention to the British Vice Consul.
He was pursued by an excited and savage
crowd, many Of whom had knives, and his
life was for time in imminent danger. He
finally escaped to place of safety, and the
mob finding themselves bafied dispersed
While these scenes were being enacted
number of Turkish soldiers were looking
on, but remained inactive and seemed to
sympathize with the mob.
ENGLAND LIKELY TO OCCUPY CRETE.
The British iron-clad Rupert arrived in
Crete on Monday, and on the captain re-
ceiving information of these riotous pro-
ceedings got ready for sea Immediately and
started for Retimo on Tuesday night. It is
considered likely that England will occupy
Crete with view to prevent massacre as
we'll as to put down all attempts made by
the Greeks to stir up instruction on the
island. This may lead to serious complica-
tions, as it would be really an advance of
the English forces o step nearer to the
theatre of war.
RUSSIAN PASSAGE OF THE ETRoPOL BALKANS
Vienna despatch says:-"The Russians have
achieved rare ieat Of perseverance, and endur.
ance in crossing the Etropol Balkans, and. though
the force cannot be very numerous ana the whole
movement seems to SAVIOR rather Of bold, adven-
turous raid like General Gourko's over the Han
Koi Pass than Of regular military operation, 1t
cannot but hasten the withdrawal Of the Turkish
troops from the Balkan line, at any rate from the
western position. Sulelman Pacha seems to have
foreseen this when he took up his headquarters at
Ichtiman and to have thought that stand made at
Rhodope and second Balkan chain might efrectually
bar all advance from the direction OF Sofia.
HOW IcnTIMAN MAY BE TURNED.
"There is, however. a succession Of parallel val
legs formed by the Topolnica, the Giupso and the
Tundja, which run TO the north OF Ichtiman, by
which russian columns descending from the
Etropol Balkans may press eastward, and, uniting
with the forces traversng the Shipka Pass, turn
the position OF lchtlman and march down upon
Adrianople. The only question: therefore, is whether
the Turks are strong enough to bar the descent
from the shipka Pass and hold Ichtiman with the
denles Of the Topolnica and the Giupso at the
time. II not they must retreat still further to the
east,
MoNTENEGRINs INVADE ALBANIA
despatch from Ragusa reports that the whole
Montencgrin force from the Herzegovina frontier
Is moving into Albania. The Governor OF Albania
has ordered forced levy.
BOSNIAN INSURGENTS ACTIVE.
A Belgrade despatch says the insurrecton In
Bosnia Is reported to be revlvng and gaining
ground
DIRECT NEGOTIATION FOR PEACE
special despatch to the Vienna Political Cor
respondence, dated Constantinople, December 81,
says 1.-The idea OF opening direct negotiations
with Russia meets with increasing favor at the
4 Porte. The reason why this step mas not yet been
taken is the impossbiity OF ascertalning RussIa's
conditions OF peace"
| PROBABLE TURKISH PROPOSAL
The Independence Beige's despatch from Paris in
: Inmates that Turkey will probably propose an ar.
mistice on the basis OF the begerents retaining
the positions they now occupy.
WHAT RUSSIA MAY DEMAND.
Avenna. correspondent says the Russian gov
eminent appears TO be throwing out feeiers point
ing to the demolition OF Turkeys Danuban tort
resses as one OF the conditions OF peace.
MEETING OF THE ENGLISH CABINET
i Cabinet Council was held yesterday, 1t 1.
believed, to consider the Russian reply to the
English note relative to peace negotiations, which
though not yet authoritatively published, waa
reiterated yesterday morning from various quarters
and generally accepted as accurate. The reply al
reiterated u substantially Of the same tenor O,