The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-12
THE SITUATION BECOMING
VERY GRAVE.
England Hurrying Preparations
for War.

since England has resolved to send feet to
ostensibly to protect the Chrls-
tians, Russia also contemplates occupying the
city from the land with the same object.
The Journal de ST. Petersburg says:
As far as Russia is concerned, we think this
measure ought not to make her deyiate from
the policy which she has hitherto followed.
Long before the last incidents which now bring
the English fleet into the waters of Constants
nople, that eventuallty was fOreseen and was
made the subject of instructions to the Russian
If we are well informed,
these instructions directed that in case the OF
toman capital should be occupied by the impe-
rial troops, and a British fleet should appear
before the city, the fleet should be received with
all consideration due to friendly power, and
that if a necessity for protecting the lives and
property of British subjects should cause troops
to be landed, those should be regarded as well
GENE auxiaries for the maintenance of order
as long as their activity was confined to such
purposes. Now that the English feet is sp-
preaching Constantinople, and has there given
a rendezvous to the fleets of the other great
powers, we may assume that the same courtesy
will be maintained between the naval and land
forces of the different states, il they should
meet on Turkish soil. Sixteen months ago this
measure was proposed by Russia and refused by
the Cabinet of London. How much bloodshed
and suffering might have been averted by the
acceptance of that proposal!
A Berlin despatch says that Russia has de-
spite the protest of Roumana.
The Telegraph has the following:
ConStdntinople, Saturday Night.-The Porte
has refused hrman permitting the British
fleet to come to Constantinople, on the ground
that if the Sultan allows it the Russian forces
will occupy the city.
A ST. Petersburg despatch says: The Agence
Russo issues an article repeating its declara-
ton of Saturday that the entry of the fleets of
the powers into the Bosphorus will imply full
liberty of action for Russia. 1t says, ii the
presence of the feet is necessary for the pro-
lection of the Christians this duty belongs
equally to Russian troops
The Pail Mall Gazette says: 1t was known in
all the embassies in London this forenoon that
the Porte refused to allow the British fleet to
approach Constantinope. A Cabinet council
has been summoned this morning
The Central News says: Negotiations are pro-
ceeding for obtaining firman. The whole
British fleet remains in Besika Bay, pending
the result of the negotiations.
LONDON, Feb. 11-Noon-A despatch from
Constantinople states that in consequence of
the objections of the Turkish government the
British fleet has not yet passed through the
Dardanelles. Russia threatens to occupy Con-
stantinople with an army if the British fleet
proceeds further English Cabinet is in session
considering the situation.
A despatch from Constantipople of Feb. 10th
says: 1t is reported the Sultan invited the Rus
in Coustantinople.
Safvet and Sadyk Pacbas will go to Adrian
Ople Tuesday to negotiate treaty of peace with
Gen. Ignatieff and M. Nelidof, formerly am.
bassador and first secretary of the Russian en-
bassy at Constantinople, respectively.
LONDON, Feb. 1l-5 2. Mn the Commons
this afternoon Northcote in reply to Forster
said: ''There is some delay in the feet going up
to Constantinople. Government cannot enter
into details. Negotiations are going on, but
government has not changed their intention. -
In consequence of the urgent order received
at Chatham dock yard from the Admiralty to-
day the whole force, numbering 1000 men, be-
gin working extra hours to complete vessels in
hand
In the Lords this afternoon Derby, Foreign
Minister, in response to question put by Gran.
vile, said that the difficulty regarding the entry
of the fleet would, he believed, soon be over.
come, aud that three other powers had asked
for firman permitting their vessels to enter
Turkish waters.
SYRIA, Feb. 11.-Italy has replied to the
Portes note regretting the action of the Greeks
in crossing the frontier, and stating that the
Italian government will demonstrate at Athens.
Greece proposes that her troops continue tC
occupy the territory in their possession until
the Congress decides all questions between
Greece and Turkey.
LONDON, Feb. lin the House OF Com.
mons this evening the report upon the supple.
mentary vote of e6,O00,000 was adopted with
out division, as was also the motion that the
money be raised by the issue OF exehequel
bonds.
1t is rumored that telegram has been re,
ceived from st. Petersburg stating that the
Russians will enter Constantinople in peace.
able way.
VIENNA, Feb. 11-Austria has applied to the
Porte for firman allowing the squadron to
enter the Dardanelles.
ST.. PETERSBURG, Feb. lit is officially an
nounced THAI Prince Gortschakoff on Sunday
teegraphed to the powers stating that the in
telligenc5 that Great Britain and the other
powers had determined to send ships to Con
stantinople for the protection Of their subjects,
obliged Russia to consider proper means for
protecting the Christians, whose lives and prop
erty might be threatened For this purpose
the Russian government has been obliged to
contemplate the entry OF portion of its troops
into Constantnople It is semi-officially an
nounced that orders have been sent to Grand
Duke Nicholas In accordance with the deter
mnation expressed above The newspapers
generally doubt whether the protection Of Brit.
ish subjects is the sole reason for sending the
fleet to the Bosphorus.
The Agence Rnsse declares that the facts do
not justify the reasons alleged for sending the
fleet, as, according to dispatches from the
Prince of Reuss, dated Feb 9Th, the safety of
the Christians was in no way threatened. All
the reports of the Russians abusing the armis-
tce are absolutely false.
LONDON. Feb. ia Reuter- despatch from
Vienna confirms the report that Austria has
asked for tirman admitting her feet to tho
Dardanelles
ATHENS, Feb. 1.-THE Chamber after hear
ing the explanations of the ministry for the
withdrawal of troops from Thessaly. passed to
the order of the day. This is equivalent to ap-
proval Of the governments actions.
LONDON, Feb. IL. The Standards Constan-
tinople correspondents states that the Turkish
Chamber on Saturday by large majority de-
clared the Vefk Effendi cabinet unconstitu-
tional
The Standards correspondent at Berlin says
the Emperor William received the Presidents
of the Reichtag Sunday, and is reported to
have said: "The situation is indeed serious,
but nevertheless still hope the maintenance
of peace possible
The order sent to Chatham for all the dock
yard hands to work over time has caused some
excitement. Such orders have not heeu known
since the Crimean war.
The vessels preparing for sea at Chatham are
the iron-clads Monarch, Northampton and
Penelope, besides several large unarmed Ves-
sels More hands were engaged yesterday for
all the departments of the Woolwich arsenal
and the Portsmouth and Davenport dockyards.
The regiment which was under orders to leave
Plymouth for Aldershot has been directed to
remain at Plymouth and hold itself in readiness
LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE correspondent of the
Times at st. Petersburg telegraphs: positively
orders have been sent the Russian troops to
enter Constantinople. Count Schouvaloff has
been ordered to explain to Lord Derby that as
the great powers have determined to send
fleets TO Constantnople, Russia is obliged to
adopt similar measures, but Russia has no in
tentlon of aggravating the situation"
The Times leading article says portion of
the British fleet will proceed to Constantine
pie. That is unavoidable after what has &C.
Cured. Lord Derby emphasized his statement
that the other powers may not consider 1t nee
essaTy to avail themselves of the
Grman for the admission of their fleets
although they had applied for them
s.It is possible therefore that the British and
Russians alone may be present at Const.antino-
pie. Such position would be one of the erav-
est anxiety. Everything may turn upon the
character of the Russian occupation, mere
demonstrative occupation as that of Paris in
1870 might not to be regarded as alarming, bat
an occupation in force with no apparent limit
IL Point OF time would throw upon our govern
ment very grave responsibility. The moment
10 one at which few hasty words or single
hasty act might precipitate a conflict. The
government has laid down certain limits bey-
ond which We cannot remain Indifferent at the
advance OF Russia. If these limits are passed
il would be their duty to act promptly and
boldly, but it is equally their duty to place no
hasty construction on the acts which NAV he
Ia IL sft into