Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-12
Foreign News.
TIE EASTERN QUESTION.

Russian Grand Duke NICHOLS TO speno 1eW
days 10 Constantioople.
Safvet and Sadyk Pasha will 60 10 Adrian
oplo to negotiate treaty of peace with Gene
rails Ignatieff and NJ. Nelidoff, formerly Am
bassador and First Secretary Of the Russian
Embassy at Consantioople. respectively.
Austria has asked for firman admitting her
fleet to the Dlrdanelles.
Prnce Gorschakotf has telegraphed to the
Powers stating that the intelligence that Great
Britain and other Powers had determined to
send ships to Constautinople, for the protection
of their subjects, obliged Russia to consider the
proper means for protecting Christians whose
lives and property might be threatened. For
this purpose the Russian Government had been
obliged to contemplate the entry of portion of
it's troops into Constantinople. It is semi
officially announced that orders have been sent
to the Grand Duke Nicholas in accordance
with the determination expressed above. Rus
sian newspapers generally doubt whether the
protection of British subjects is the sole reason
for sending the fleet to the Bosphorus. The
Aeence Russo declares that facts do not justify
the reasons alleged for sending the fleet, as, &C.
ording to dispatches from the Prince of Reuss,
dated February s, the safely Of the Christians
was 10 no way threatened. All the reports OF
the Russians abusing the arnstce are abso.
lutey false.
A ConstantiUoplo correspondent states that
the Turkish Chamber on Saturday by large
| majority declared Vefk Efendi's Cabinet un-
| constitutional.
A correspondent at Berlin says:-"The Em-
pcror William received the President of the
| Reiohstag on Sunday, and it is reported that
! he said The situation is indeed serious, but
I nevertheless still hope that the maintenance
OF peace is possible. ,"
A correspondent telcgraphirg from Vienna
says SIT is expected hourly that, as COM
promise, the Porte will admit two men of war
of each Power. The Ambassadors at Pera have
| advised TIE Porte to take this course.
| A correspondent at Vienna teegraphs as FOL.
| lows lie seems that the Russian note relat-
| Jog to the Conference has not been presented.
The delay is only applicable on the supposltion
that it is occasoned by the determination OF
the British Government to send the fleet to
Cousta1tinople. The step was unexpected, land
it has produced a rather startling effect, 40 that
pending decision as to the attitude to assume,
Russia may have deemed it advisable to delay
the delivery OF the note.
This correspondent, who, however. is o5Vi
ousIy ignorant of Prince Gortschakof' last tel
egram to the Powers, says that it seems the
suspicion With which highlands step was first
regarded soon moderated. According to one
account, the Gar has reiterated his assurances
10 regard 10 British interests.
A correspondent at St. Petersburg teegraphs
| as follows ~ can state positively that orders
have been sent to the Russian troops to enter
ConstantinopIe. Count Schouvalah has been
ordered to explain to Lord Derby that as the
great Powers have determined to send their
| fleets to Constant1ope, Russia is obliged TO
adopt similar measures, but Russia has no in.
tention of aggravating the situation.
TIE London Times says portion OF the
British feet will proceed to Constantlnope.
That is unavoidable after what has occurred.
Lord Derby emphasized his statement that the
other Powers may not consider it necessary to
avail themselves Of irmans for the admission
of their fleets, although they had applied for
them. 1t is possible, therefore, that the Brit
ish aud Russians alone may be present at Con.
stantiaople. Such q position would be one of
the gravest anxiety. Everything may turn
upon the character of the Russian occupation.
A mere demonstrati7o occupation, as mat Of
Paris in 1870 ought MOTTO be regarded as alarm
iag, but an occupation 10 force, with 20 appa.
rent limit in point of time, would throw upon
| our Government q very grave responsibility.
The moment is one at which few hasty words
or siogle hasty act might precipitac con-
hict. The Government have laid down certain
limits beyond which We cannot remain indiffer
eDt to the advance of Russia If these limits
are passed i will be their duty to act promptly
and boldly, but it is equally their duty to place
DO bas.y construction on acts whioh may be ca.
pablo Of two interpretations.
A telegram has been received from St. Pc
! tersburg stating that the Russians will enter
Constantinople in a peaceable way.
| 10 the British House of Commons yesterday
afternoon Sir Stafford Northcote, Chancellor OF
the ExcheQuer. said There is some delay
10 the fleets going up to ConstantlDople. The
Government cannot enter into details. Nego-
tiations are going Oh, but the Government have
not changed their intention.
The report upon the supplementary vote ct
six million pounds was adopted without d.
vision, as was also motion that the money be
raised by the issue of exohequer bonds.
In the House of Lords Lord Derby, Foreign
| entry of the fleet would, he believed, soon be
overcome, and that three other Powers had
asked for frmans permitting their vessels to en-
| ter Turkish waters.
In consequence of ap urgent order received
at the Chatham Dock Yard from the Admiral
ty yesterday, the whole force, numbering, 4. 900
men, will begin working extra hours to complete
| vessels in hand.
This order has caused some excitement.
Such az order has not been known since the
Crimean war. The vessels preparing for sea
at Chatham are tho iron clads Monarch, North
ampton and Penelope, besides several large uu
armed vessels. More hands were engaged yes
| terday for all the departments of the WoolWich
Arsenal and the Portsmouth and Davenport
dock yards. A regiment which was under or
ders to leave Plymouth for Aldershot has been
directed to remain at Plymouth and hold itself
10 readiness for other movements.
LONDON. Feb. l2.-The News of the refusal
by the Porte of frman for the passage OF the
straits by the feet has caused great sensation
in the markets, though the excitement is less
than it was last week.
This mornings London Times in lis leading