Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-02-16
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

of European news:
A st. Petersburg dispatch of Feb. 18th
says it is officially announced that Prince
Gortchakoff on Sunday telegraphed tbs
Powers, stating that the intelligence that
Great Britain and other Powers had de-
termned to send ships to Constantinoplt
for the protection of their subjects, oblig.
ed Russia to consider proper means fol
protecting the Christians whose lives and
property might be threatened. For this
purpose the Russian Government has been
obliged to contemplate the entry OF "a por.
tion of its troops into Constantinople.
tits semi officially announced that or.
ders have been sent to the Grand Duke
Nicholas, in accordance with the determ-
ination expressed above. The Russian
newspapers generally doubt whether the
protection of British subjects is the sole
reason for sending feet in the Bos porus.
The Agence Russo declares that facts do
no.justify the reasons alleged for sending
a feet, as, according to a dispatch from
the Prince Of Reuss, dated Feb. 8th, the
safety Of the subjects Of other powers was
in no way threatened. All reports Of the
Russians abusing the armistice are abso-
lu.ely false.
1t seems that the Russian note relating
70 the Conference has not been presented.
The delay is only expiicable on the sup
position that it is occasioned by determ-
ination Of the British Government to send
fleet to Constantinope. This step was
unexpected, and it has produced rather
startling effect so that pending decis-
ion as TO the attitude 10 assume, Russia
may have deemed it advisable to delay
the delivery OF the note.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of the
London Times, Feb. 18th telegraphs as
follows l can state positively that or
ders have been sent to the Russian troops
to enter Constantinople. Count Sehoura-
loft has been ordered to explain to Lord
Derby that as the Great Powes have de-
termined to send the fleets to Constanti-
nople Russia is obliged to adopt similar
measures, but Russia has no intention OF
aggravating the situation.
A correspondent at Berlin says: EN-
peror William received the Presidents of
the Reichstag on Sunday, and it is report
ed ho said The situation is indeed Sc
rious, but l nevertheless still hope that the
maintenance of peace is possible"
The semi official Journal de 81. Peters
burg Of Feb. 11th, commenting on the
dispatch Of the British feet to CONSTANT
nople, says: AS far as Russia is concern
ed we think this measure ought not to
make her deviate from the policy she has
hitherto followed. Long before the last
incidents which now bring the English
feet into the waters of Constantinope that
eventuality was foreseen and was made
the subject Of instructions to the Russian
Commander-in Chief five are at all we'll
informed, these instructions directed that
in case the Ottoman Capital should be
occupied by the Imperial troops, and q
British fleet should appear before the city,
that fleet should be received with all the
consideration due to friendly Power,
and that if the necessity for protecting the
lives and property of British subjects
should cause troops to be landed there,
they would be regarded as a welcome aux
Hilary for the maintenance of order as
long as their activity was confined to that
purpose. Now that the English fleet is
approaching Constantinople, and has Civ
en- rendezvous to tho fleets of other
great powers, we may assume that the
same courtesy will be maintained between
the naval and land forces of the different
States, if they should meet on Turkish
soil or waters. Sixteen months ago this
measure was proposed by Russia and re-
fused by the Cabinet Of London. How
much bloodshed and suffering might have
been avoided by the acceptance Of that
proposition
The Agence Russo Of Feb. 1lth repeats
its declaration Of Saturday, that the entry
Of the fleets Of the Powers into the Bos.
porus at the moment when peace is being
negoclated will imply full liberty of ac-
tons for Russia. 1t says if the presence
Of the feet is necessary for the protection
Of Christians this belongs equally to Rus
sian troops.
LONDON, Feb. 13 - Morning. - The
Press Association says: 1t is understood
that Admiral Hornby is instructed to force
the Dardaneles with, il necessary, his
whole feet Of ironclads. The matter
caused long discussion to-day in the
Cabinet council.
VIM. II. Smith, First Lord Of the Ad-
miralty, replying to a question in the
House OF Commons, stated that the orders
which had been sent to Admiral Hornby
were clear and distinct, and sent on the
Governments responsibility; but it would
be inconsistent with his duty to state
their nature.
A special from Paris says tits report
ed that the Russian Embassy and small
Russian detachment entered CONSTANT
nople yesterday. The report is not con-
frmed.
Russian officials we're yesterday select
ing quarters for Russian troops in Con-
stantinople.
The four ronclads comprising the chan.
mel squadron were directed by telegraph
to proceed Immediately to Gibraltar fol
orders, on its becoming known that Vice
Admiral Hornby had been refused per-
mission to enter the Dardanelles.
All the workmen in the Sheerness dock
yards have been ordered to work over.
Al ID 4. I 1