The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-23
FOREIGN.
The Turco-Russian War.
Russians Again Threatening to
Occupy COnstantinople.
TURKEY STILL DELAYS TO
SIGN THE PEACE ARTICLES.
Evacuation of ErzerOum Begun

New YORK. Feb. pa cable special says
the Russians have again demanded permission
to occupy Constautinople aud receive the sur
render Of the Turkish fleet.
ST. PETERSBURG, Feb. 22,-It is officially an
nouuced the Turks commenced the evacuation
OF Erzeroum the 18th and expect to complete it
on the 21st.
The Galos states that the Russians under Toll
debea entered Rastchuk on the Goth. The feel.
ing here 10 consequence of recent events, espe-
cially the speech of Bismsck in the German
Reichstag, is fairly represented by the follow
ing passage from an article in Bedomasti
"Ingratitude is an ordinary result of the self
sacrificing activity of Russia We have become
so accustomed to it that it no longer astonishes
No sooner Is the war finished than we meet on
all sides intrigues and hostility, not only from
powerful nelshbors who can support their
words by force, but even from powerless little
states like Roumania and Greece"
VIENNA, Feb. 22.-Fresh difficulties seem to
have arisen about settling the preliminaries of
conference. Two days ago it was announced
that the French government though making no
objection on principle to a Congress instead of
Conference, expressed some apprehension lest
such a general meeting without any distinct
limitations might lead to the discussion of 9TH
er questions than the Eastern question.
LONDON, Feb. % The Telegraph's Vienna
correspondent attaches much Importance to q
statement that the Emperor William telegraph
ed to the Gear reminding him of his promise to
fulfill certain duties towards Austria. The COR
respondent, however, fears the Gar has lost all
control over the war party. He thinks the
Scav committee are nov mere powerful than
the Gar.
In his statement in the House of Lords last
evening. Lord Derby said he was not aware
that any communication had passed between
| the powers about the members Of the confer
ence,, AS for England, great inconvenience
would result from the absence of her foreign
minister from the cabinet and parliament for
| the several weeks which the conference will
preably set s. Therefore," said Lord Derby,
"we will not depart from the ordinary course
| of sending an ambassador with full powers,
and believe a majority of the powers will
| adopt similar course
The Times commenting on last nights state
ments in parliament, says: Immediate ankle
| ty is allayed, Two dangers remain-one, that
the Turks may even yet be encouraged to re-
| sistance by the vote of credit and the recent
movement Of the English ships; the other, that
| the approximation of the warike forces Of
ENGLAND and Russia may lead to an accidental
COLLISION
| The Times Berlin despatch says Bismarck 8
| speech is dislked in South Germany where the
| popular wish is to support Austria. Assur-
ances counteracting an unfavorable effect OF
| the speech and calculated to persuade the pub
| lie that Germany will not oppose Austria in
any way are circulated 10 more quarters than
one
| The Agence Russia says Namyk Pasha will
not Come to St. Petersburg. Such mission as
| was Entrusted to him could serve no purpose,
| as the Grand Duke Nicholas is invested with
| full power to treat with Turkey. The Journey
| of Namyk Pasha would only increase the delay
| in the negotiations for peace. Turkey is wrong
| to persevere in this course. Namyk Pasha's
mission was to endeayor to obtain modiica.
| ton OF the peace terms especially those con-
| corning the withdrawal of Mnsselmans from
Bulgaria and the limits of the new pr incipali.
| ty.
ATHENS, Feb. 22.-The Turks occupied
| Plattanos this morning and burned a portion OF
the town. The insurgents receiving reinforce
ments recaptured the place at noon.
| BELGRADE, Feb 22-Roumanian forces hay.
| ing left Bulgaria the Russians have requested
a Servian division to occupy Widdin and Bel
| gradchik.
| that the channel squadron is directed to call al
| Malta for orders.
The Standards correspondent at Vienna
states that the intention to Immediately mobi-
| lie portion of the army has been abandoned
| but the Austro-H Hungarian delegations will be
asked to vote so, 1000 900 forms in order that the
| government may have means in readiness in
| case mobilization should become necessary,
A special to the Standard dated Constantine
| pie yesterday, reports that the Czar has tele-
! graphed that the Russians will occupy Con-
stantinople If the Turks continue to delay the
| signing of the terms of peace, which includes
| the cesson of Armenia and the surrender of
| the Turkish feet Many Turkish deputies
| have been arrested and sent into exile,
| ST.. PETERSBURG. Feb. 22-The Agence
| Russo says the kilograms asserting that the
Russians are about to enter Constantinople are
| fabr cations