The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-09
THE BASIS OF THE ARM
TNTTnr

LONDON, Feb. An official telegram from
st. Petersburg confirms the correctness of all
the armistice conditions. The only addition al
condition mentioned is the evacuation of the
fortresses and Sulina.
In the Commons Stafford Northcote COM
Wunicated the summaryof the termsof the arm
istice. He said they disclose such state of
affairs that the government. in view of possi-
BILE disturbance in Constantinople, has ordered
a portion Of the fleet thither, not as DEPART
ure from neutrality, but as protection of life
and property. The government has notified
this step to other powers asking them whether
they will join in the movement. 1t has also
notified Russia.
A great meeting will be held in Cremorne
Garden tomorrow, to endorse the governments
foreign policy.
CONsTANTINoPLE, Feb. Shy way of Syra.-
The Russians have occupied Chataja, Silivria,
on the sea of Marmora, and OsmanlI. Sulei-
man Pasha has gone to Lorssa in Thessaly.
There is cabinet crisis in consequence of par
liamentary criticisms of the governments aboli-
tion of the Grand Vizierate, without consulting
parliament. and of the contemplated policy of
Ahmed Vefk Effendi, the new president of
the concil of ministers.
LONDON, Feb ST p. MIN the Lords, Der
by made statement similar to that of North
cote in the Commons. He said he was justi-
fed in his resignation when the fleet was first
ordered to Constantinople, but he approved
the present action in consequence of the alter
ed aspect of affairs. In the Commons North
cote's announcement was received with deafen.
ing cheers.
Official information from st. Petersburg eives
the detailed peace basis. 1t is as follows:
First-The erection of Bulgaria into a princi-
pality.
Second-A war indemnify or territory COM
pensation.
Third-The independence of Roumania, Ser
via and Montenegro, with increase of territory
for each.
Fourth-Reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Fifth-An Interior understanding between
the Sultan and Gear, regarding the Dardan-
Giles.
Sixth-The evacuation of the Danubian for
tresses and Erzeroum.
According to the above official information
there are only five conditions as the evacua-
ton of the fortresses is part of the armistice
conditions. The fifth condition also provides
for negotiation of a final treaty at either Odessa
or Sebastopol.
LONDON, Feb. sS.-rhe Times Berlin des-
patch says: The speech from the throne yes
terday on the opening of Parliament, making
no mention OF the three emperors' alliance,
but emphasizing the existence of the friendly
relations with all the powers and more espec-
Tally Austria, it is considered the German gov
eminent has not entered into any engagement
to support the new demands Of Russia. This
inference is not little strengthened by the
royal speech expressly mentioning the pro-
gramme agreed upon at the Constantinople
conference as the basis of the coming peace.
The Times leading editorial says it does not
share in the excitement and alarm which yes
terday's news created in many quarters, but
thinks the time has come when the whole re-
sponsiblity of action ought to be thrown on
the government, and generous support will
be accorded it il the legitimate interests of the
country are to be protected. 1t says: "The
government may have to act and act PROMPTLY.
1t is impossible for the opposition to act for
them or take their places, and it ought now to
be left to them to take course they deem uec-
essary on their responsibility. II is evident
that this was the feeling yesterday of the more
independents u beral members, and there can
be no question that it will be the general feel
ing OF the country. 1t is for Russia TO restore
confidence by abandoning the jealous reserve
she has hitherto maintained. When we know
what she means and what she claims we may
be able to say what should be done, but mean
while the government can alone be in posi-
tion to judge whatthe necessities of the moment
and the interests of the country demand, and
1t is to be hoped the division of last night will
close the controversy which, however properly
raised at the outset, is now wholly out Of
place.
This afternoons Globe says Osman Pasha
will certainly be court-martialled this or next
month. He is charged with burying prisoners
alive. The Russians are so exasperated against
him that he rarely leaves his lodgings, The
m
STATIONS against him
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 8.-The Agence Russo
contradcts the reports that the Servians re-
fuse to accept the armistice and that Austria
opposed the Russian occupation of the. Dan
ubian fortresses.
BERLIN, Feb. 8.-The conservative and lib
eral parties in the Reichstag today came to an
agreement in regard to the joint Interpolation
to be addressed to the Imperial chancellor i'm
whnthQr ha inf do IN DO
ment respecting the Eastern question and the
position the German empire has taken regard
ing 1T, and II sach declaration is intended,
what day it will be made. The Interpolation
has been signed by the leaders of the two par
ties.
1t is rumored In parliamentary circles that
Prince Bismarck is expected to be in Berlin on
Tuesday or Wednesday next.
ATHENS, Feb. 8.-The members of the pro-
vis1onal government of Thessaly have address,
ed proclamation to the Hellenic government,
declaring Thessaly annexed to Greece and en-
treating the protection of the mother country.
LONDON, Feb S.-After the debate in the
Commons the vote of G6 900, 900 passed by a
division OF 1913 to l24 amid enthusiastic cheers
from the Conservatives The prominent Lib
erals and leaders of the opposition, including
Lord Harrington and Mr.. Forster, abstained
from voting. Gladstone voted with the min
orlty. The opposition Kissed Lord Harrington
as he left the house.
A summary of the terms of the armistice
communicated sby Northcote to the Commons
Gnls afternoon is given in a despatch from Mr..
Layard dated Feb. 7. According to this the
line of demarcation fixed by the armistics
places in the Russian hands almost ali of
Bulgaria and Roumslia up to the lines of Con-
stantlnople and Gallipoli. Three DAYS notice
is to be given before the resumption of HOSTILE
ties Another article of the armistice stipu.
lates that the Turks are to remove their arms,
etc., on evactuating places within the neutral
zone which will divide the two armies. The
despatch concludes by stating that the Turks
have commenced the withdrawal of guns from
the Constantinople lines,
Sir Stafford Northcote said it was quite evil
dent from this that although the Russians have
not occupied the Constantinople lines, they
have occupied outposts close to them, and "a
The lines under the provisions of the armistice
are thoroughly dismantled, the Russians are
able after merely giving the three days' notice
20 advance upon Constantinope without him
frances. Sir Stafford said that Mussurus
Fasha, Turkish ambassador at London, had
positively contradicted the Daily News report
rom Adrianople that Lord Beaconsfeld and
Layard had encouraged Turkey to fight nv
promising highlands intervention.
Sir Stafford replying to the various questions
'aid no answer had been received to the com
my, sent Lord LOTUS directing him to
,all the attention of the Russian government
20 the Cars assurance that the Russians
would not occupy Constantinople for military
honor, but only in case of necessity. The
chancellor declared that the present mission of
he heet was of different character to that
lpon which it was recently ordered to enter the
oardanelles though he protested against The
ormer mission being considered an act of war.
he read the instructions to the admiral on
he present occasion which are as follows:
= Proceed, ii possible, tomorrow afternoon
With the Alexandra, Teremaire, Ruby, SaIamis
nd Achilles to Constantinople to protect the
ives and property of British subjects. Mr.
Iayard is requested to ask the porte to give the
necessary orders to the forts immediately.
House then went into committee on the vote.
1arqus OF Harrington said the despatch of the
leet to ConstantinOple could not be regarded az
menace to any other power, but might be
beneficial both for the protection of the lives of
Srltish subjects and as tending to calm the an
rehenson which, whether we'll or i'll founded.
Undoubtedly did exist among the people Of
England concerning the Russian advance ON
In reference to the money
ote he said that what really would have
the hand ofthe government wonld
ave been an unanimous vote of confidence,
his, however, could only have been given in |
esponse to a full explanation of the govern |
1ent's intended policy. The statements of the |
oyernment have been mereigeneralities Lord |
darlington conveyed the implication that it |
7as his ballet that the government did not even
now their policy themselves.
He continued: Although opposed to the vote |
8 long as iG was possible that il mioht on