The Portland daily press., 1878-05-24
THE EAST.
PEACE PROSPECTS BRIGHT
ENING.
Russia Willing to Submit the
Treaty to a Congress.

that the result of Schouvaloff's efforts will
probably turn out that he has secured a basis
for further negotiations Meantime the prep
aratons before Constantinople continue ener-
getically. The Russians continue to exhibit
tendency to gradually creep up towards the
capital, keeping the Turks constantly on the
alert Fresh reinforce ments are constantly 60
ing to Bulgaria and ROumeia. Odessa is
swarming with soldiers and shipping. Troops,
guns and stores are going thence to Burgos on
the Black Sea, or by railway to Roumania and
Bulgaria.
The Turks are not idle. They have brought
troops across the Bosphorus from Scutari until
100 battaens now man the northern lines.
Heavy siege guns have been moved from Bos-
phorus batteries into these lines, while the
Asiatic side has been strengthened so as form
in conjunction with the fleet line OF defence
to which they might retire in case of need,
though they now more than ever are confident
of their ability to hold their position.
A st. Petersburg correspondent OF the Lon
don Times says:
As we are still far from certainty of peace,
though the general conviction and sentimenti in
favor thereof is powerful, military prepara-
tions are being pushed forward energetcally.
Even if war is avoided, it is thought that these
will be useful as make-weight for Russian in
fuence at the Congress. Todeben's activity
and his importantly about the fortresses must
not be regarded as indicating failure of
Schouvaloffs mission.
schouvalof,s Mediation.
1t is authoritatively stated in London that
SchouvalOH brings from the CZar cOupter-prO-
posals couched in conciliatory terms. that all
questions pertaining to European Turkey be
eross, and all questions relating to Turkey In
Asia be made the subject of separate conven-
ton b tween England and Russia alone.
Constantinope advices are that belief in
the Congress assembling is Increasing.
A Letter From Osman Pasha.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, May 23.-The Vakit and
Basseret newspapers of Constantinople publish
letter from Osman Pasha, denying that he
said that Constantinople was not susceptible of
defence, and declaring that he never will be a
party to the disgrace Of retiring before an
enemy much weakened by illness and fatigue.
Matters in Asia Minor.
A despatch from Trebizond states that
the Russians at Erzeroum have been reinf0rc-
ed by 10000 men.
The putrid fever is making havoc among the
garrison of that place.
The insurrection in Lazistan against the Rus
SLAMS is spreading. 1t is estimated that between
10000 aud $4,000 Lszis are under arms, prose-
cutting guerilla warfare against the Russians
about ArtAin and Batoum.
The London Times ON the Situation.
LONDON, May 23-The Times leading edito-
rial says: SIT becomes every day matter of
more and more imperative necessity for Russia
| to obtain recognition by the other powers of
some modified arrangement under which she
will be relieved from what is practically state
of war. This can only be done by full dis
cusson Of the San Stefano treaty ia a European
Congress. Russia already knows the simple
condition on which alone England can enter
such congress- 1t may be modified possibly
in form but in substance it must be conceded" J"
Austria Converted to Engiand's Views.
The Vienna correspondent of the Daily Tele-
graph says Count Andrassy and his colleagues
have gradually come round to EDgland's views
about terms on which the Congress should
meet as well as on many other points.
Germany is disturbed. Prince Bismarck,
whose influence here was once omnipotent, now
frequently tenders advice which is unheeded
The Pera spondent of the Daily Tele-
graph says: 1.-THE embassies here are full of
peace. 1t is believed the party of Cancellation
is gaining supremacy in the councils of the
Sultan also."
Russians Moving Nearer COnstantinOple.
|. CoNsTANTINoPLE, May 23.-Ths Russians
have again advanced their entire line slightly
without, however, violating the neutral zone.
Immense quantities of war material continue
| to reach the Russian camp.
| The servian A rmy.
| BELGRADE, May % The Servian army is on
| a complete war footing. All the available
| troops have been sent to the Bosnian frontier
| and old SerVia.
VIENNA, May 23.-The Politische Correspon-
| denz says Russia has informed Servia that a
| grade. The Servian government has conse-
| quently given large orders to contractors fol-
military supplies.
The Liberals Again Defeated in PaIlia.
| ment.
| LONDON, May 23.-In the House of Com
| mons tonight Lord Hartington's Resolution
| that emo force be raised or kept by the Crown
| in the time OF peace save within India, without
| the sanction of parliament" was rejected, 3f7
| to 226.
The amendment Of Sir Michael Hix Beach
was adopted without division.
| Pacific Assurances.
LONDON, May THE Post publishes tha
| following in a semi-official form: "Count
Schounoff brings the assurance that the dispo
sition in st. Petersburg for peace quite equals
that in London. He is also bearer of certain ex-
| pressions of willingness to meet our views and
general scheme of arrapgemsntf for reconciliation
Russia, however, declines to pass the sponge
| over the treaty of San Stefano, but is prepared
to discuss in congress its various stipuations.
| The Count brings assurances that Gen. Todle.
| ben has been forbidden to make any attempt to
surprise Constantnople, and also that the Rus
| sian government is not connected with the
manifests recently issued by a committee for
| equippiDg cruisers"