Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-03-16
The London Times Eus-
poets a Secret Treaty
Between Russia
and Turkey.
The Russians Advance and take
Position on the BOsphOruS.
Not Certain Yet that a Peace Cen
gress will Meet.
Terrible Condition of the
Refugees.

LONDON, March l6.-The Times, in an
editorial, says: On Monday the Russians
not only occupied several villages around
Constantinople, but took possession OF q
point on the edge of the most northerly
plateau, running toward the entrance Of
the Bosphorus. The small force which
commands the entrance lies directly at
the foot Of the position thus occupied,
and as these forts are open on the land
side the Russians have power to march
in at any moment and close the entrance
to the Black Sea. As our Vienna CORE
spondent observes, such q movement
does not seem calculated to dispel
the a%pprehensiors m~aiatained that,
though there may be no secret
treaty, a tacit understanding has
been established with Turkey which
may involve the arrangements most ma
terial to the decision Of the other powers.
1t is to be presumed the terms OF the
treaty will provide for evacuation within
a moderate time of the whole OF Rou-
melia, and consequently any position
now held near Constantinople; but
meanwhile the fact remains that Russia
has established herself on the Bospbo'
rous. As our correspondent observes, not
only is there nothing in the recent move.
ments OF the British feet to justify this
advance, but there is little doubt that
it must have been adopted prior to
these movements and independents
" of them. 1t would have been
difficult for Russia to adopt a urse
less likely to couciliAte, the good will of
Europe or this country. Our correspond
ent at St. Petersburg does not give q
more cheerful report. He tells US Of
persons of considerable influence there
who believe that, while it is by no means
certain that the congress will assemble,
it is not very likely to be successful it it
does. England and Austria are accused
Of being animated not by a mere desire
to protect their legitimate interests,
but by a Jealousy Of the military
and diplomatic success Of Russia.
They are supposed, therefore, to be de-
sirous Of diminishing, as far as possible
the consequences of the war. Russia. it
is stated, will declare that, though she is
willing to have such questions as that Of
the straits discussed, the conditions she
has already signed are the minimum of
what she has the right and determine
ton to demand. The diminution OF the
results of the war bsiug thus impossible,
England, it is said, will seek to increase
them by demanding an extension OF
| Greece, but the effect Of this will
be to break the last link of the
English alliance with Turkey, and
the sultan will then recognize
Russia as his surest ally. That these
wild notions should be seriously enter
tanned by persons Of authority in the
Russian capital indicates, as we have
said, a condition Of mind 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 a favorable construction upen
them.
CoYsrASr1YoPLE, March l6.-The Rus
SLAMS near B~oulair have been reinforced.
CoRFu, March l6.-The news from
Epirus is meagre. but suficiedt to con
firm the report Of a complete suppress
sion Of the insurrection in the district Of
Chimara. The entire expeditionary
force wal killed, captured or dispersed
The Turkish irregulars continue theiI
rapine, murder and devastation. Six
teen villages have been burned or pill
LACED, the inhabitants Of which fed Of
persisted. Turkish authorities profess tt
be collecting and protecting refugees al
DelviDo, but many Of them are known
to have been killed, Consuls have rep
resented the condition Of affairs to theiI
governments, and appealed for prevent
i've measures. The British consuI is par
ticularly active. The British man.of
war Rapid has done everything possible
for the refugees.
ST. PETERSBURG. March l6.-It is de
clared in wellinformsd quarters tina
Greece cannot become q party to tn
congress like the other great powers, al
though nothing prevents Greece from
~delegating the care Of her interests Il
the representatives at the congress.
RoME, Mach 1.-the pope, notwith
standing the recent opposition, has OF
dered the Italian bishops to leEalize thei
position, giving them the liberty to Dc
pand an e x.equatur from the govern
ment. This ia the explanation Of tn
pops's poliey--it mean tacit acceptanc
Of the loss Of temporal power.
Ctnetuuau Itema.