The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-15

remains to be done In the way OF warIfke
preparations. On Monday it became knows,
that letter had been forwarded from the
Admiralty to Portsmouth asking how long
1t would take TO get ready for sea the flottlIa
OF iron gunboats built for service ON the
Baltic during the last Russian war, and. for
the most part, since lying in the Sins at
Hosar. These are formidable little vessels
OF 254 tons displacement, with turn.screws,
and carrying, each, one 1S-ton gun in the
bows. Preparations were actively begun to
,fit them with magazines, when further or.
ders were received countermandIng the
first. at present, therefore, nothing is be-
ing done to bring them forward.
THE UNIVERSITY BoAT-CONTEsT-oxFoRD VIC
LONDON, April 13.-The thirty-fith race
between the Oxford and Cambridge crews
took place this morning on the River
Thames, over the usual course, from Put
ney to Mortlake-four miles and two fur
longs-and resulted in an easy victory for
the Oxford crew. This makes. in the thirty
five contests, eighteen victories that have
been scored by the Oxford crews, while the
Cambridge crews have been successful in
sixteen races, that Of last year resulting in
q dead heat.
The Oxfords won by about IS seconds in
time, or by many lengths, in % minutes and
II seconds.
- - The Eastern Question.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 13.-The Agence
RuSse says the Russian Government. by
discussing in it's answer to Lord Salisbury
the objections raised by him on every point
OF the treaty, has practically established a
6IanueDiNr of "a yuh oh
how small a foundation British objections
had. If the congress meets there will be
no objection to free discussion, but the
submission of the treaty implies an act
which no independent Power, and England
least OF all, would admit. The Agence adds
that direct and amicable meetings for talk
continue; winch, tharfRs to the good offices
OF Germany, it may be hoped, will lead TO
satisfactory result.
RUSSIAN OPISIoN OF GORTsCHAKOFF's CIRCU-
LAR-GERMAN MEDIATION-FATE OF BESSA-
RABIA.
LONDON, April 13.-At st. Petersburg the
opinion regarding GortschakoH's circular IS
much divided. Some consider tia complete
political programme, full OF sound common
sense, and worthy OF Il great Power. Others
regard it as empty and colorless, and no.
thing but a formal refutation OF Lord Sails
bury's accusations. Some think it Russia's
last word; others believe it is the introduce
tion to negotiations on 4 new ground. 1t
has greatly 'displeased those who wish the
Government to nail its colOrs to the mast
and risk all rather than make the slightest
concession. The opinion ut Berlin con-
tinues sceptical about the success OF nego-
tiations. The NOrddeutSche Zeitung OF yes
terday, referring to Germany's mediation,
SAYS:
The joint appeal Of England and Russia
for the good Offices Of Germany could have
q meaning only if the parties were willing
to make such concessions as would put out
of the question the possibility Of either
party challenging the other. This seems to
indicate that no agreement has yet been
reached, and that Germany is doubtful
about the sincerity Of the desire for an I'M
Outstanding on one part or the other. NJ.
Bratiano, the Roumanian Premier, returned
to Vienna on Thursday on his way to Blu
cbarcst. He had an interview with Count
Andrassy and Herr Tisza, the latter Of
whom was up from Pesth attending the
Council. The tidings NJ. Bratiano brings
from Berlin are not very encouraging. The
conviction there is that the Car is bent on
having Bessarabia back, and that he will
take it, and tina. the best thing the Rouma-
mans can do is to make the best possible
terms about the compensation they
are to receive. According to the news
from Bucharest the popular mind in Rou-
mania seems scarcely prepared to accept
much advice, whatever may be the DISPOSE
ton of ministers. The situation at Con-
stantirople is still regarded as dangerous to
peace. Notwithstand ding the protestations
of the Porte there are intrigues going on
among the Pashas, and the discretion Of the
Russian commander and Mr.. Iayard is
doubted. Mehemit Ali and Moukhtar
Pasha, also Osman, Reouf, and Saide
Pashas, and several other Turkish generals,
dined with Mr.. Layard yesterday.
The Greeks and Bulgarians in Roumania
and Thrace are quarrelling about the pos
session Of the Greek churches, and appeal
ing alternately to the Russians and the
Turks for support. The atmosphere OF
Constantinople is believed to be daily be-
coming more inf1ammable.