The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-13
THE EASTERN PROBLEM.
The Congress to Close To-Day.
The Treaty Completed and Await
ing Signature.

LONDON, July 12-Mr. Barring of the Brit.
ish legation at C0nstantinople, took possession
OF the island of Cyprus today in the name of
Great Britain.
The Paris Republique Franchise continues
wrathful, and suggests that the French pleni-
potentiaries should protest against England
acquisition of Cyprus The Debats aud Temps
deprecate any indulgence in irritation against
England.
The Manchester Guardians Paris cores
pendent states that Wellington, the French
plenipotentiary in the Congress, has the strict
est guarantees of English respect for French
rights in Syria and Egypt
The Times Paris correspondent says that
moderate counsels may for moment be dis
regarded, but it may be confidently predicted
that as in the case of the Suez canal purchases
the present irritation against England will be
very short lived.
Regarding the action of the English Liberals
there is said to be growing conviction that
the opposition in the Commons will not hastily
give formal challenge to the government 8
policy. A meeting was held yesterday of Lib
erals who desire to urge the Liberal chiefs into
action. but Harrington, the Liberal leader, and
Bis immediate friends are stated to show no
disposition to give way.
The Batoum Question Settled.
A Berlin despatch says that in consequence
demolition of the Notifications of Batoum will
not De made obligatory upon Russia, but only,
applied in the designation of Batoum as q
commercial port.
Crete Wants English Protection.
A Vienna despatch says that private advices
from Crete assert that movement is on foot
there to ask for an English protectorate over
that island as an autonomous state.
Yesterdays Sitting of the Congress,
BERLIN, July 12.-It is expected that the
official publication of the treaty of peace will
follow its ratification, which will be effected
within month of the date of signing.
A sitting of the Congress was held this after
noon to complete the reading of the instru-
ments of peace. The document will be pre-
sented tonight, and signed tomorrow.
1t is probable that the Congress will to-day
adopt decisions relative to local commissions to
be instituted and the supplementary conference
which 1t is proposed to hold next autumn
either at Constantinople or Berlin. Count
Schouvaloff will leave for ST. Petersburg Sum
day.
Turkey Pleased With the English Treaty,
CoNsTANTINoPLE, July II The population
OF Constantinope is satisfied with the Anglo
turkish treaty. At the coun Gil of ministers TO.
gay, sultan presiding, the Greek question was
The treaty Of peace contains sixty clauses
and is reported the largest ever known.
The Posts Berlin special states that during
the discussion relative to boundaries Of
Bayzil valley the Russians suddenly claimed
the pass OF levin. The claim however
wps not allowed. Grave fears
again arose Thursday night. Count
Schouvaloff, during the discussion of the
clauses concerning the DardanelIes, having
attempted to restrict the Sultan's right Of
issuing special permits for the passage of
foreign men of-war or calling foreign fleet to
bis aid, Lord Salisbury thereupon declared that
england considered her engagements relative
to the closing of the Straits limited to an en-
gagement to respect the sovereign rights of the
people. In that regard Prince GOrtschakoff
showed much anger, but afterwards arranged
compromise with Lord Beaconsfeld, by which
the status quo is continued.