The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-05-04
THE EAST.
NEGOTIATIONS PROGRESSING
SLOWLY.
Russian Influence at Constantine
pie Waning,

LONDON, May 3-The situation is regarded
as decidedly improved during the last "a hours
owing to Russia showing more conciliatory
disposition There is an absence of news re-
specting the progress of negotiations between
England aud Russia, but the latest Impressions
are more hopeful.
government works. The activity which pre-
walls q every department., cannot be expressed
in detail, being created by general demand
for munitions, stores. sc. The first issue Of
preserved meat and biscuits to the troops at
WooIwicb, in place of the ordinary rations,
was made yesterday. This has been done to
accustom the men to the fare which will in
case of war become their daily food.
Rumor of q ortschakof's Resix uatioa
Iii rumored at S.. Petersburg that Gorts-
chakoff has resigned the secretaryship of
foreign affairs, but the rumor needs confirma-
ton.
Gen. Ignatieff has been made member of
the Cabinet without the portfolio.
A Russian Expedition Against Iadia.
1t is stated that Gen. Tchernaieff has been
appointed commander of az Indian expedition.
airy force of $4,000 men intended to advance on
Cabul, Afghanstan.
The Turks Growing Valiant.
Though Russia is believed to have secured
Austrian neutrality, her military situation in
Turkey is now regarded as exceedingly crit.
cal. The attitude of the Turkish soldiers is
reported more favorable than ever for an ALI.
ance with the English troops. A month ago
Russian influence seemed on the point of car
rying everything before it, but now the Porte
Turkish army is SO strong that the threats of
the Russians have little effect. The Turks
have intrenched their positions and are scarce
ly inferior in numbers to what the Russians
Can mass, SO that not only can there be no
question of surprise, but even the most serious
attack might be resisted at any rate until help
could come from elsewhere. 1t is not therefore
considered likely that they will accede to the
evacuation of Varna, Shumla and Batoum,
even to get the Russians away from the neigh
borhood of Constantinople. TodIeben there
fore will have to use considerable diplomacy
in the attempt to overcome all the difficulties,
while the conciatory disposition at ST. Peters,
burg must be strong not to be worn out by the
temporizing policy which the Turks, feeling
the strength of their positions, will doubtless
use with their we'll known consummate skill.
Meanwhile it is thought that direct negotia-
tiOns with the Turks for the withdrawal of the
Russian troops have begun.
Accounts from Adrianople state that troops
are still moving in the direction of Tchaldia
and the capital, while westward against the
insurgents but few battalions and squadrons of
Cossacks have been despatched.
Gorischakof Worse.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 3-The Asence Russo
states that govt has now attacked both feet of
Prince Gortschakoft. His sleepessness is in
creased by pain and his physicians have order
ed that he abstain from the transaction of any
business.
The TheasRlian Insurrection Ended
ATHENS, May Sit is officially stated that
the negotiations between the British Consul and
the insurgents for q cessation of the insurrec-
ton in Thessaly have been successful, the Con-
su!s promising upon the authority of Lord
Salisbury that the Greek interest will in no
way suffer, but on the contrary be benefited, as
the Greek cau>e will be fairly represented be-
fore Europe. The Consuls have now gone to
endeavor to effect a similar arrangement in
Macedonia.
Memorial eff the Opponents of DisraeIi,s
Policy.
LONDON, May ga memorial circulated by
the Eastern Question Association regretting
the calling out Of the reserves aud expressing
the belief that sufficient obstacles exists to
prevent the assembling of the congress has
been signed by 1900 persons. including the
Dukes Of Westminster and Bedford, the Mar
quis of Bath, Bishops Of Exeter and Oxford,
several noblemen, Mr.. Carlyle, Rev. Mr.. Spur
geon, DR.. Newman hall, Mr.. Rob't Brown and
Sir Charles Reed and presented to the Queen.
Germany Offers to Present the Treaty.
special to the Standard from Vienna as.
serts that Germany proposes to place the treaty
OF san Stetano before the congress instead Of
Russia doing so. This offer has not vet been
accepted.
The Pour Parlers Progressing Slowly.
LONDON, May 3.--The St. Petersburg cores
pondent of the Times telegraphs Friday:
Nothing has transpired to-day justifying the
superstition entertained last night that the
prospect were bright. 1t is said the pour
parlers drag on slowly although it is believed
some little progress has been made relative to
withdrawal negotiations. 1t is rumored that
the British cabinet admits in an interchange Of
views regarding the essence of the question at
issue providing the present formal difficulties
preventing the meeting of the Congress are
removed. There is good reason to believe
Russia is ready to enter upon such an inter-
change of views, bat Great Britain SO far has
not answered Prince Gortschakoff's reply to
Lord Salisbury.