The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-01-29
FOREIGN.
The TurcO-Russian War.
THE PEACE CONDITIONS OBJ.
JECTIONABLE TO ENGLAND.
Parliament Asked for Supplement.
tary Supplies.
| STATEMENT OF THE GOVERN.
MENT'S ATTITUDE.
The Liberals to Arrange the Min.
istry's Policy.
AUSTRIA FINDS EAULT WITH
RUSsHA'S TERMS.

LONDON, Jan. 2S.-The Times authoritatively
denies that part of the Russian army will trav-
erse the country to Constantinople and embark
there for home.
1t is stated that the Russian demands will
encounter serious opposition from England and
Austria. The latter is positively opposed to
the retrocession Of Bessarabia to Russia and
to any conditions doing more than to cripple
Turkey.
The latest authentic advices from Constanti-
nople do not confirm the statement that the
Porte has received a telegram to the effect that
the peace preliminaries have been signed,
and that the Turkish delegates and the. Grand
Duke Nicholas would reach Adrianople Satur-
day. Up to o'clock last night, the Porte had
had no advice of the conclusion of an armis-
tice, though orders were telegraphed to the
Turkish plenipotentiaries Friday, to accept the
preliminares of peace. The delay causes ap-
prehension that the armistice may be accom-
panied by onerous conditions The Porte is now
in the peculiar position of having accepted the
terms of peace without knowing on what con-
ditons an armistice will be granted. An arm
istice, properly handled, must make the Rus
SLAMS more than ever masters of the situation.
They are at liberty to fix not only the line Of
demarcation, out the time during which they
may remain in possession of the territory oc-
cupied. This will leave their hands free to
settle the details according to their own views
which in the peace prelminaries, have given
place to general principles Thus with regard
to Bulgaria, the future limits of this province
do not appear to be specified, nor the degree to
which the autonomy of Bulgaria or the re-
forms in Bosnia or Herzegovina are to ex-
tend. The same seems to be the case swith re.
gard to an increase of territory for Montenegro
The cesson of Roumanian Bessarabia is moi
mentioned, as the question OF the Dardanelles
| is reserved, nor is any thing said about the
march into or through Constantinople
Meanwhile the Russians, Servans, Rouman-
m
operations with great vigor about Widdip,
Prisrend, Lake Scutari and Silistria and in the
Wadritza valley east of Adlianople. From all
these points war bulletins are received, show.
ing no abatement of offensive operations by
the allies. Suleiman Pasha's army is embark
ing. Six Egyptian transports have been or
dered to Kovala to assist operations. Up to
Saturday evening Savet Pasha, acting foreign
minister during the absence on the peac5 mis-.
sion of Server Pasha persisted in his refusal to
inform Layard the British ambassador, of the
terms of peace, showing that the Porte had
been pledged by the Russians to keep them se-
cret, though the ST. Petersburg semi-official
press declares that Withholding the terms was
Turkish trick to force the English to take ac-
ton. This is improbable, because the Russians
could always have defeated such a move by
communicating the conditions themselves.
LONDON, Jan. 28.-ViscouutS andor, member
OF Parliament for Liverpool, will succeed Lord
Carnarvon as Secretary of State for the colo
nial department. In the Commons this af-
ternoon Sir Stafford Northcote reported the
suggestion of the Marquis of Harrington, lead
er of the Liberals, that after Sir Stafford
statement when the supplementary vote is
moved debate should be adjourned until to
morrow. This was because the time of the
House tonight is already otherwise appropri-
ated to orders of the day.
LONDON, Jan. 2S-A special to the Times
from Pera says the Porte persisted ia the de-
termination not 10 permit the British fleet TO
enter the Dardanelles except as an ally of Tar
key. England informed the Porte that the
fleet mnst enter without permission The
Porte entered formal protest which was for
warded to the plenipotentares at the Rnssian
headquarters, but did not actually oppose the
entry.
Sir Stafford Northeote, in his statement, said
DO intimation was yet received that an armis-
tlce was signed. The peace proposals were not
yet officially known, but have been communi-
Gated as authoritative by Count Schouvaloff, the
Russian ambassador. The terms are manly
the same as those printed in this mornings
Post Sir Stafford also said that he would ex-
press no opinion which might be used for the
guidance of Turkey, but he considers the terms
very sweeping The character of the autonomy
for Bulgaria was not that agreed upon by the
Constantinople conference Administrative
autonomy was then conceded. Now there is
provided total separation from Turkey under
prince.
Regarding the tributaries becoming indepen-
dent he would say nothing, but il must raise
difficult questions since l5 touches ether inter-
ests. The indemnity condition is very elastic.
How Russia may elect to take the indemnity
and what territory she may ask are highly i'm
poItant to Europe. European concert is there
fore necessary. The understanding regarding
the straits may mean something or nothing, but
it is European and English interest. He ex-
planned that the credit asked for was not con-
neeted with the sending of the fleet to the OAR
G mo hot In
land may appear at the Congress that must
assemble with proper prestige. Sir Stafford
said the government asks for the credit as a
vote of confidence so it can still irmer enter
the Congress. The Marquis of Harrington
asked since a vote Of confidence was wanted,
that the debate be adjourned to Thursday next.
Sir Stafford in the course of his statement
pointed out that the Russian proposal for con-
s0Hdation as an autonomous principality of all
thu districts Inhabited by the Bulgarians wonld
bring the southern boundary of Bulgaria al
most to the sea. He said rumor having some
appearance of authority STATED that the Prince
for Bulgaria was to be chosen by the Gar
Thus powerful state would be established in
the very heart of Turkey with prince devoted
to Russian interests. After touching upon the
other conditions as before reported he said,
referring to tine vagueness of the final coudi-
ton relative to the straits 81 call attention to
this to point out that the conditions are mat
tiers upon which no separate understanding bs-
by the powers. We have expressed this opin-
ion to the powers and believe it will receive
their assent. Austria has repeatedly declared
that she entirely shares our views. We cannot
disguise the vast Importance of the questions
now raised. The keystone Of Southeastern
Europe is being removed. Relative to the re-
arrangement which must be made, one thing
Is certain that Turkey must be urged to con-
tinue the struggle for purely European OBJ
jects."
The Chancellor then explained the negotia-
tons which Immediately preceded the orde ring
of the fleet to the Dareanelles. He stated that
Russia in her reply to the noted dispatches de-
filming British interests only promised not to
acquire Constantinople permanently. Lord
Derby, on jan 18th, sent despatch to Count
Schouvaloff declaring that the government
was strongly of the opinion that it was most
desirable to avoid even temporary Russian Sc
cupation of Constantinople which might seri.
ously endanger the relations now happily pre-
vailing between Russia and Englane. Russia
replying repeated her assurance against the
occupation of Constantinope, but
added chat if the Porte's obstinacy required
the Gar to continue military operations he re-
served full liberty of action" The Gar could
not understand how the course he was pur-
suing could offend British interests and he
asked Tor statement of those interests, The
English government shortly after, perceiving
the Russians approaching Gallipoli replied
that 1t considered any operations tending to
give the Russians control of the Daadanelles
would impede the consideration of terms of
peace and asked an assurance against the occu-
patiou of Galipoli. They received reply
that Gallipoli would neither be occupied
nor attacked unless a regular Turkish
army should be concentrated there, but per-
ceiving that the movements of both the Rus
slams and Turks were tending towards Gallip-
1li the British government asked and on Jan.
18th obtained the Saltan's permission for the
entry OF the fleet into the straits. The orders
20 the fleet to enter were countermanded in
consequence of the receipt of a telegram from
he British ambassador at Constantnople avow-
ug his belief that the Russians conditions
provided that the question of the straits was to
% referred to European congress.
After the orders were countermanded q cor |
'ection OF the ambassadors telegram was re- |
'eved stating that the question of the straits |
vas to be LETT to the Sultan and Gar. The |
added that from subsequent infor- |
nation he had not the slightest doubt Russia |
Intended this question to bs settled separately |
between herself the Porte Of course not ex- |
,luding England from ultimate discussion, for |
Sussia cannot exclude England. He now ask
ID for the vote SO that when they went into the |
council of nations they might be able to show |
When England had once decided on a course |
he was determined not to leave the sword I'M
happened. The ministry would not consider
he vote an incentive to war.
Sir Stafford Northcote subsequently concur
ed in the motion for the postponement of the
ebate till Thursday.