The Portland daily press., 1878-07-11
THE EASTERN PROBLEM.
BeacOnsfield's Brilliant Stroke
the Chief Topic of Discussion.
The Work of the Congress About
Ended

LONDON, July 10-A Constantnope des-
patch says that Mr.. Fawcett has returned from
Lagos and reports that intense ssuffering exists
among the population south OF the hhodope
mountains. He enumerates the horrors per.
petrated by the Bulgarians and Cossacks and
sometimes by Russian soldiers, whose design
seems to be the determination or utter disDer-
sion of the Mussulmans and Christians unfav-
orable to them. In the Domodea district 53
villages have been plundered and burned by
the Russian and Bulgarian troops in the last
two months. Twenty-three villages have been
laid waste and burned in the district OF Has
kiev, and in the Philippopolis district twelve
villages have been burned. In numerous viii
lagos there have been wanton destruction, at
tended by deeds of unheard OF bafbarity.
Gases of men and women being deliberately
burned alive here have been frequent, as has
violation of the young. Nothing more horr-
BILE than the particulars of this report can be
imagined. Its veracity rests on the official au-
thority of one of the most respected of Her
Majesty's servants, and of men employed by
him upon his personal knowledge of their per-
feet trustw0rthiness. Mr.. Fawcett intends to
lay his report before the English, Austrian
and French ambassadors, with view of send
ing out commission of inquiry to the spot, to
endeavor to put an end to those excuses
which disgraces humanity.
Why the Publication of the Auale-Turk-
ish Treaty was Delayed,
The London Times Berlin despatch says the
date for the publication of the Anglo-Turkish
treaty is supposed to have been selected with
view to avoid Interior complications. If the
Berlin peace is signed by Russia with the
knowledge of the existence of the Anglo
Turkish treaty, the latter cannot hereafter be
alleged by Russia as reason for impugning
the validity of the Berlin instruments whereas
should Russia now decline to adhere to the
ton of the Anglo-Turkish treaty, she must pre-
pare for the trouble she wished to avoid when
going to Berlin.
1t IS understood that the: French government
whether she does not prefer abandoning the
idea of Asiatic annexation rather than see the
Cyprus treaty carried into effect. Should this
question be negotiated, France, it is thought,
may adopt more active policy.
BeaconsfieId's Coup. 81
Lord Beaconsfeld's coup has thrown into the
shade all other topics, but it is yet too soon to
judge what direction the current of public
opinion hele and on the continent will take.
The Times Berlin correspondent says that
when the Anglo-Turkish convention was first
announced there, English diplomacy enjoyed
but later some dissentient voices were heard
The COUP said some, is undoubtedly clever, but
it is questioned whether in the long run it will
rebound to the honor and interest of England.
Others speak of the event with unqualified
admiration. The majority of the Vienna pa
pers praise it.
In Paris public opinion is about equally di'
vided. Some of the papers oppose il as giving
England virtual control of Egypt.
The Manchester Guardian says the most re.
markable feature of the situation is the doubt
full attitude of the English conservatives ito.
ward the treaty. Many look upon it as a nee
essary end. 1t seems that the convention was
considerably modified from the first draft out of
Difference to France, and that over and above
it there is an arrangement by which the inter-
| ests of France and Syria are guarded from in.
| reference.
BERLIN, July 10.-It is uncertain whether
| the subject Of the Anglo-Turkish convention
will be brought before the congress, but its dis
cussion by the latter is not considered improba-
| BILE. Should this be the case it is believed the
| question will not raise material difficulties in
the congress. 1t is thought, in fact that dis
cussion of the treaty will be of great advantage
| in promoting an understanding among the pow
ers.
Yesterdays Sitting of the Censress,-
~~Ene congress sat four hours today. 1t rati
| fed the commissions arrangement in regard tt
| Batoun and disposed of several questions o.
| detail. The material portion of the work O.
the congress being herewith concluded, the
| reading to the text of the treaty of peace wa:
| commenced and great portion of it was reaG
and agreed to. the Anglo Turkish conventior
was not mentioned. Lord Beaconsfeld wa.
absent, suffering from sore thoat.