The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-21
FOREIGN.
The Turc0-Russian War.
Bismarck's Speech in the German
Parliament.
TURKS REFUSE TO SURREN.
DER TO THE ROUMANIANS.
The British Fleet Not to be
Withdrawn.
Russians Again Threatening to o.
cupy Constantinople.

LONDON, Feb 2O-A despatch from Pera
says Server Pasha has ceased to be Minister of
Foreign Affairs. Sabri Pacha will probably
act in Servers place until the return of Safvet
Pacha, who is now in Adrianople on a peace
mission, who will then take the foreign port
folio.
The channel squadron of four iron-clads will
proceed eastward from Gibraltar today.
Valentine Baker, formerly a colonel in the
British army, writes to the papers that he has
not been relieved of his command, nor has he
resigned. He is simply furloughed. His posi-
ton in the Turkish army remains unchanged.
A Daily News letter from Beyrut, Syria, says
that Turkish soldiers have killed 80 and wound
ed % Druses in the village of Mutleb. The
attack was made under the pretence of arrest
ing the head men of the village for trespass.
Many interesting points in the debates of the
German Rechstag yesterday were not brought
out in the summaries received last night. Ben
ningsen, who introduced the Interpolation, is
national liberal and personal friend of Bis
maTck. He said it behooved Germany to pro-
tect the threatened interests of Austria. There
was danger that Russia, regarding herself om-
nipotent, would advance demands incompatible
with the we'll being of tho other States If
such should be the case, the liberal party hoped
the German government knew how to cause
Russia to modify her demands. This sentiment
was followed by loud applause.
Bismarck said the recent debates in the Brit
ish Parliament have nearly exhausted the sub
required Russia to obtain the sanction of the
Powers for terms of peace.
Germany was first to consent to the confer
ence and was Indifferent where it was held, but
if on German soil it must have a German Pres
ident, Whether, after the principle had been
admitted it would be advisable to adhere to it
absolutely, would be reserved for Interior decs-
ion according to the personages who attend the
conference. He hoped peace would be main
tanned. Indeed, he could hardly conceive that
RHn mil "a rIC hs1f oh
they, be would not advise the Emperor to go to
war except in harmony with the federal council,
the imperial parliament and German nation.
Were Germany now to announce her intention
at the conference, she would simply render it
impossible to continue the work of mediation.
In such case, the programme announced by
Germany might be adopted By the others, when
peace might be imperilled. Accordingly it
would be serious mistake to avow a pro-
gramme which might be evaded by some aud
taken advantage of by others. Germany had
no wish to act as arbitrator in the pending con-
f1ict All her ambition was confined to the
modest task of broker who settled bargain
between different parties. Germany was on
most friendly terms with Russia and Austria.
and had not single interest except friendly
rivalry in trade antagonistic to England. This
enables her to mediate, and she does not intend
to throw her power into the balance The three
Emperors' alliance, based not on written en-
gsgements but on personal sympathies is not
to sacrifice important national interests pour les
bedu1 yeGur Of another power. Only for Ger
man interests and German independence would
he advise the Emperor to draw his sword
DR.. Haenel assured the chancellor of the sup
port of the advanced liberals if it became nee
essary, to protect Austrian interests.
Herr Windbost gave similar assurances for
the ultramontanes.
Bismarck replied that the Office of arbiter
was the most thankless Imaginable. as Russia
nft Ilo
and Napoleon Ill after Sadowa. AS for the
advice of Poles and Socialists, they were hard
ly competent to discuss these questions.
PARIS, Feb. 2O.-It is stated that Lord Derby
and Prince Bismarck having announced that
they will not represent their respective coun-
tries at the congress, Prince Gorisehakof has
given notice Of a similar decision.
-BEIGRAnE, Esb-- o.-Gen--LaseAi Aaai.a- b as
gone to Adrianople to endeavor to obtain modi-
fications of the peace preliminaries in favor Of
Servia and to protest against the Russian &C.
cupation of Niscb. The Seryiaps are already
removing their artillery from Nisch for safety.
CoNsTANTINopLE, Feb. 20.-M Orep, first
dragoman of the Russian embassy, has returned
to COnstantnople.
ATHENS, Feb. 20 "A telegram from Valo
states that the Greek insurgents though at first
successful in the fighting near that place, are
now in critical position on Mount Peliou.
The Turks captured some of their positions and
for general attack.
BUCHAREST, Feb. 2O.-In Wednesdays sit
ting of the Senate the minister of foreign af-
fairs said that the Roumanian railways were
practically in the hands of the Russians. He
would insist that the rights of Roumania be
recognized but hitherto his efforts TO remedy
this disgraeeful state of affairs have been una.
vailiug.
Russia was also negotiating without the au-
thority or consent of the government upon
questions which alone concerned Roumsnis.
LONDON, Feb. 20.-A special to the Sta. dard
from Negotin states that the Turkish comma an
dants and Widn and Belgradshik refuse to
surrender to or recognize the Roumanians al
though the Russians insist On their doing So
The Times ST. Petersburg special Of We'd
nesday says it is now stated here that the
British government will not Withdraw the fleet
to Besika Bay. Accordingly the Russians are
likely to occupy Constantinople or at least one
OF its fouoourgs if they have not done so al
ready.
Late last night there was an unconirmed ru-
Rapai.
Direct communication between London ard
Constantlnople is again interrupted.