The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-08
THE EASTERN PROBLEM.
The Batoum Question Partially
Russia TO Have it bTt Probably
with Conditions.
The Greeks Very Much Enraged.

LONDON, July Ga Vienna despatch to
the London Times explains Turkeys reselvs-
ton in accepting in principle Austrian occupa-
tion of Bosnia and Hezegovia a,- that Austria
and Turkey should directly negotiate the de-
tails-while the Turkish claims were previous
ly expressed in sort of declaration by Kara
theodari, the Turkish plenipotentiary. There
ia reason to believe that the Porte has recourse
to this mar9uvre merely to spin out as long as
possible, the question OF occupation sgni-
hcant enough proof Of the mood prevailing in
Turkish government circles, is fonnd 10 the
rumors which circulated in Vienna yesterday,
with some appearance of foundation, that the
Ottoman embassy wonld quit Vienna shortly.
BERLIN, July 6.-The Russian plenipoten-
tiaries at Berlin deny the statement that Rus
STA has opposed the annexation of Crete to
Greece.
Advices from Rome state that public opinion
disapproves of the occupation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina by Austria.
The fourteenth sitting of the Congress was
prolonged from quarter past two till half-past
five today. The Batoum question which had
been previously discussed from noon by the
commission, over which Hohenlohe presides
was the subject of elaboration, but no conclus-
ion was reached. This was not surprising, as
the question of Batoum as fortress is bound
up with the question of the Dardanelles. The
Congress has agreed in principle to three points
namely: 70 maintain the Dardaneles closed
as at present to ships Of war; to cede Batoum
to Russia and make of it free port. There re-
mains the question of dismantling the forti6ca-
lions and forbidding the Russians to fortity the
coast.
The anxiety to finish and the desire to main-
tain the present agreement are SO strong no
doubt is felt that some compromise will be
found tomorrow by the Hobenlohe committee
suficing to calm the apprehensions of the pow
ers without infringing the Gar Alexauder's
dignity. There are frequent interviews be-
tween Beaconsfeld and Gortschakoff who
openly pays tribute to Beaconsfelds states
manship qualities. The relations of the pleni-
potentaries are excellent and the prospects of
a happy termination of Congress next Thurs
day are hopeful.
LONDON, Jolly 6-Telegrams from Berlin
and Vienna affirm the Porte's consent to the
Austrian occupa0bn without any conditions
being attached.
NEW YORK, July 1.-The Herald cable de-
spatch says the Turks as a compensation for
the loss of Batoum are DESTROYS OF Bay aid
The Russians vaiantly defended the objects of
the war before the Congress and insisted upon
a just recognition of their rights as conquerors
to compensation in money, territory or COM
mercial concession. Gortschakoff's speech was
supplemented by few remarks 10 English by
Schouvaloff addressed to the British premier.
The effort of the Russian chancellor is reported
to have been the most mastery address made
since the statement of highlands position by
Beaconsfeld 10 the first days of the session.
cison of Congress leeviDg the proposed rectifi-
cation the Greek frontier lines to the Turks.
They do not believe in Turkish generosity
During the discussion Uf the Greek eg parte
arrangement Lord Beaconsfeld opposed the
Hellenic claims and declared again that Con-
gress had assembled for the purpose of CONSOLE
dating and strengthing the Ottoman empire and
not of further dismembering it.
The Greek delegates threaten a general ris-
ing against the Turks and coalition of their
NIT h fho inoIr 70 Of NJ.
rus. Indeed they threaten SO much that their
threats amount only to buster. The Congress
will close Thursday next after the signature of
the prelinary treaty. There will be banquet
at the castle of the Crown-Prince at-Fetsaam-
Friday, after which the members will depart.
Bismarck leaves Saturday for Kissengeu.
VIENNA, July THE occupation of Bosnia
and Herzegovina has been finally postponed
till August in order to give time for the res
toration of the railways and the organization of
the future administration of the provinces.
BERLIN, July Tt has been decided to
grant autonomy to western Roumania Epirus,
Thessaly and Crete, to be secured by European
control.
Austria receives one side of the Bay of Anti
vari and Montenegro receives Niscs. The
powers will insist upon the rectifcation of the
Greek frontier by Turkey.
CoNsTANTINoPLE. July THE British chan
mel squadron apseared off Cyprus today. This
has revived rumors concerning the purchase of
the island 10y England. Minister Lay ard is
very reticent on the subject. The Porte, how
ever declares that no contract in regard to
the island has been concluded. Russia and
Turkey have arrived at an understanding in re-
gard to the return of Turkish prisoners of war
and several steamers have been despatched to
bring them to Constantinopie.
BERLIN. Jnly z. midnight.-Considerab
progress has been made in the commission on
the Batoum question. A complete settlement
has not yet bsen accomplished but it expect.
ed it will DO in tomorrows sitting of the COM
mission which precedes the meeting of the
Congress.
BELGRADE. July Prince Milan at the
opening session of the Skuptschna at Krogu.
Jevatz, declared he was satisfied with the de-
cisons of the Berlin Congress in relation.to
Servia.
LONDON, Jaly Ut is declared in Russian
circles that the prospect of Count Schouvaloff's
succeeding Prince Gortschakoff depends upon
the Counts ability to inaugurate a policy aim
ing at an English alliance.
LONDON, July 8.-The Times despstch from
Berlin states the treaty will be signed Saturday
next. Negotiations between Austria and Tur-
Key relative to tho occupation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina have commenced. The Turks de-
sire Austria to sign document ack no wledsing
the Sultan's title to the province. The Porte's
despatch from Berlin says the Russians esti-
mate their tosal war expenditure at 2SS, OO0, 900
Of rophIoc -OS'SNNi0NN