The Portland daily press., 1878-03-18
FOREIGN.
The Eastern Situation.
THE INSURRECTION IN EPI-
RUS SUPPRESSED.
RUSSIANS IN COMMAND OF
THE B0SPHORUs.
England Seeking an Alliance
With Austria.
Russia Consents to Submit the Full
Treaty to the Congress.

CoRFU, March 16.-The news from Epirus is
meagr', but sufficient to confirm the reported
complete suppression of the insurrection in the
district of Chimara The entire expeditionary
mountains and the Turkish irreguars continue
their rapine, murder and devastation. Viii
lagos have been burned or pillaged, the nhabi
taDts of which fled or perished. The Turkish
authorities profess to be collecting and pro-
tecting the refugees at Delvino, but many are
known to have been killed. The consuls have
represented the condition of affairs to Gheir
governments and appealed for protective meas.
ures. The British consul is particularly ac-
tive, and the British man-of-war Rapid has
done everything possible for the refugees.
LONDON, March 16.-The Times says: "On
Monday the Russians not only occupied sew
eral villages around Constantinople, but took
possession Of the point on the edge of the most
nOrtherly plateau running toward the entrance
of the Bosphorus. The small forts which
command the entrance lie directly at the foot
of the position thus occupied, and as these
works are open on the land side, the Russians
have power to march in at any moment and
close the entrance to the Black Sea. Such a
movement does not seem calculated to diSpel
the apprehensons maintained that, though
there may be no secret treaty, tacit UNDER
standing has been established with Turkey
which may involve arrangements most ma
terial to the decision of the other powers 1t
is presumed that the terms of the treaty will
provide for the evacuation, within moderate
time, of the whole of Roumelia, and c0nse-
ouently any position now held near Constanti-
nople, but meanwhile the fact remains that
Russia has established herself on the Bospho-
rus. Not only is there nothing in the recent
movements OF the British fleet to justify this
advance, but there is little doubt that it must
have been adopted prior to those movements
and independently of them. It would have
been difficult for Russia to adopt course less
likely to conciliate the good will of Europe or
this country
The Times also says: ''Our correspondent at
st. Petersburg does not give more cheerful
report. 1t is there said, he tells us, by persons
of considerable influence, that while it is by no
means certain that the congress will assemble,
it is Lot very likely to be successful if it does
England and Austria are accused of being ami
mated, not by mere desire to protect their
legitimate and material interests, but by jeal-
ousy of the military and diplomatic success of
Russia. They are supposed, therefore, to be
desirous OF diminishing, as far as possible, the
consequences of the war. Russia will declare
that, though she is willing to have such ques.
tions as that of the straits discussed, the condi
ti0ns she has already signed ara the minimum
of what she has the right and determination to
demand. The diminution of the results of the
war being thus impossible, England, it is said,
will seek to increase them by demanding the
extension of Greece, but the effect of this will
be to break the last link of English alliance
with Turkey, and the Sultan will then recog
nize Russia as his surest ally. That these wild
notions should be seriously entertained by per-
sons of authority in the Russian capital indi-
Gates that the condition of mind is by no means
favorable to a satisfactory conclusion of the
present negotiations. The terms of peace may
prove an agreeable SURPRISE. but Russia is not
assisting Europe to place favorable construc-
ton upon them"
There is less excitement at the government
works at WoolWich than some weeks ago, but
there is no abatement of the energy and no
diminution of the work. Nearly all hands are
at work until 8, 8 or 10 o'clock at night, in
stead of s., the usual closing hour. In conse-
quence of the want of officers for the army,
cadets who entered at Sandhurst last summer,
and whose period of probation would expire in
Jolly in ordinary circumstances, will be passed
out next month. Those who entered at the be-
ginning of the year, and would complete their
course in December, will be passed out and
com missioned in July. A large number of
commissions in line will also be available for
militia subalterns during the present year.
VIENNA, March 17.-It is said serious nego-
tiations are proceeding between Sir Henry
Elliot and Count Andrassy for an alliance be-
tween England and Austria. If the negotia-
tions succeed Andrassy's position will be
strengthened. If they fail ministerial crisis
will ensue and Andrassy may possibly resign.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 17-Ratifcations
Of the treaty Of peace were exchanged today.
The conditions of peace will be published as
soon as communicated to the powers Raouf
Pasha will depart Immediately.
The Agence Russo denies Russia is opposed
to Greece being represented in the congress
and adds that as the great powers alone can
constitute congress, the representations of
secondary and other interested states will be
admitted as delegates in reference to tho ques-
tions wherein their states are concerned. Steps
are now being taken for the progressive return
of the Russian army from Turkey The guard
will start first and halt some time at Keiff.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, March 1.-THE Russian
troops have crossed the river between Makri
koi and st. Stefano and occupied three villages
near Makrikoi. The Porte, by the advice of
Mukhtar Pasha, has not yet assented to the
Russians occupying Bujukdere. The Russians
nevertheless have arrived at Damousdere, be-
hind Bujukdere. The Cars yacht Eyrklick
with two torpedo boats, has cast anchor off
Bujukdere. Mr.. Blunt. British consul at
Adranople, has arrived here, the Russians
having refused to recognize the consular body
at Adrianople or Phillipopelis.
ATHENS, March 17.-Twelve thousand Turks
have landed at Vola and it is expected will at
tack Mount Pelion. 1t is anticipated that if
the Turks overwhelm the insurgents it will be
difficult to restrain the Greek army from re-
entering Thessaly.
ST. PETERSBURG, March 1.-THE Golos
states that IN accordance with the orders of the
Minister of the Interior the magistrates of St.
Petersburg are compiling lists of persons quail
flied to officer the militia which is about to, be
formed.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, March H.-Strong de-
tachments patrol the streets day and night an
account of the great excitement which prevails
over the posting OF seditious placards The
garrisons of Shumla and Varna, numbering
$4,000 men, besides 10000 Egyptian troops, are
expected here.
Raouf Pasha bore letter from the Sultan
begging the Gar to permit some modification
of the boundary of Bulgaria, especially on the
south. England has obtained permission to
disembark some troops on the island of Tena-
dos and send four more iIonclads to the sea of
Marmora.
PEsrH, March 17.-Prnce Bismarck has no.
titled the Austrian government that Russia has
consented to submit all the peace conditions
without exception to the congress for discus
sion, should the congress make demand to
that effect
LONDON, March 1S-A Times special from
st. Petersburg says that the treaty leaves
ton of the straits for the congress and leaves
the southern frontier of Bulgaria to be determ-
ined by the International commission according
to the nationality of the inhabitants. Lord
Derby will probably receive the treaty next
Saturday as a courier for London will leave on
Tuesday.
This correspondent explains the new diff
culties in regard to the congress. He says
England demands formal engagement that
that all the clauses of the treaty be submitted
for discussion. Russia holds that such engage
ment is unnecessary and that the whole treaty
will be known before the congress meets, and
the plenipotentaries may discuss which clauses
shall be submitted for consideration. The
whole discussion turns rather on diplomatic
prestige than on real interests. The feeling is
such that some members of the official world
in st. Petersburg declare England has decided
on war and is simply cavilling to gain time.
A Vienna despatch says preliminary con-
ference of ambassadors is being planned at
Berlin to settle questions of procedure in the
congress.