Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-04-11
Foreign News.
TIIE EASTERN QUESTION.

the debate 10 Parliament mas materially teDucu
to clear up the obscurities of perllou5 sltua.
ton, and it has brought the prospect OF peace
nearer than before. The debate has not had
the same reasoning reassuring aspect abroad
and especially at Vienna, where Congress 10
looked forward to as the only possible way OF
reaching pacific solution, and therefore the
supposed warke attitude of Eogland IS not ap'
proved. Austria has made no provision for
the eyentuality of final failure of the Congress
project. but it is thought she will, when the
necessity of recedipg is forced upon her, join
England ia resistance to the Russian demands.
The neutrality of Turkey is not possible, and
Constantinople is lost to her whichever way she
decides 10 case of war. If she allies herself to
Russia the troops Of the latter will take posses
sion as pledge of her fidelity, and if she casts
her lot in with England the Russians have the
power to take Constantinople, Galllpol' Buy
ukdere and the European shores OF the Dos
phorous and Dardanelles if the Russian torpe,c
does succeed 10 preventing the interference OF
the British feet. The London Times claims
that Congress of the Powers alone is compe-
tent to decide upon the arguments OF Lord Sal
isbury and Prince Gortschakof.
There is considerable anxiety 10 London With
regard to the secret arrangement that led to
Lord Derby's resignation, owing to the belief
that they are connected with orders transmitted
to the Admiral of the British fleet, which are
contingent upon the movement of the Russian
troops before Constantnople. The Russlao
commanders at Bucharest believe that the Fog
lish feet can succeed in forcing its way into the
Black Sea, aud are opening line OF land trans
portatiop over lines not accessible to lntrrup'
lions by the feet, and also distant from the
Austrian frontier. The Russian troops have
occupied the Roumaniaa bank of the Danube,
and command the railway station at Figtest,
and various important positions on the Seyas
p'ov river, 10 spite of the Roumauian authorI'
ties Mr. Layard, the British Minister at Con
saptioople, has succeeded 10 paralyzDg tor the
present Russia's cndeavors to obtain the friend
ship of the Sultan.
A St. Petersburg correspondent telegraphs ::
"Tbe horizon is again overcast. The change
is attributed to the speeches made 10 the Brit
ish Parliament, to the consequent alteration 10
the attitude of the Austrian Cabinet and the
apparent hesitation of Germany to act as me-
diator 1, is believed in official circles that
some Of Lord Salisbury's remarks 90 Monday
indicate an Intention of going to war.
A Berlin correspondent says the attempts at
mediation seem to have made it probable that
the Powers will only consent to participate 10
the revision Of the treaty of San Steiano On the
same condition as demanded by England.
The Berlin Post says :-"Austrian agents
have Informed their Government that Russia
has promised Bosnia to Servia in the event OF
the renewal Of hostlities. This news has pro.
duced bad impression at Vienna
A Vienna dispatch says Austria seems to
consider Prince Gortschakoffs answer satislac.
tory and thinks Eoeland can exact 20 further
assurance than therein contained, previous to
the Congress.
Berlin special says 10 spite of denas, four
Of the 6nest steamers of tho Hamburg Amerl.
can Packet Lioe have been engaged by the
British Government.
LONDON, April ll.-For the protection of
the ships in the Mediterranean from torpedocs
number OF steam launches will be scot to
Ismid aud other statiots a number Of tor.
pedo boats were sent from the Chatham dock
yard to the Mediterranean yesterday. n char
tered steamer is now loadiog large humber at
Victoria docks, the Intention beog to supply
each vessel of the feet with at least two torpe.
do boats. Additional IS ton guns are also ship
ping for the Mediterranean 10 the London docks.
The warke preparations of the Russians aad
Turks about Constanlinoplc continue.
The Servians have established two days quar-.
autine 90 the Austrian frontier. 1t is believed
that this is rather from political than sanitary
reasons.
Appreheusious are expressed 10 Bucharest
that the Russians intend enforcing strict mar.
tlal law.
A Bucharest Journal states that Prince Gorts
chakcff has requested the Government to re-
press the bitter tone of the Roumania press re-.
gardlog Bessarabia and the two years occupa
ton OF Bulgaria. The ultimate effect of Prince
Gortschakof' S circular is not reassuripg. 1t is
pointed out here that the Government cannot
accept the invitation to promulgate COULTER
proposals. 10 consequence of their view that
question must be settled by the Powers jointly.
10 Viepna where only a Geographic summary
ton is that the hope heretofore held out from
St. Petersburg, of a renewal of the conference
negotiations, is not confirmed by PRICE Gorts-
chakof' circular, which says nothing about ac.
cepting highlands condition for going to Con,
gress. Without some such concession on the
part of Russia 20 step can be taken towards a
peaceful settlement. The suddenness with
which the circular was telegraphed to London
during the debate on the address to the Queen
excites remark. The special edition Of the Lon
don Times containing 1t was issued about eight
o'clock Tuesday night. Sir William Vernon
Harcourt and Mr. Leonard Henry Courtney,
Liberals, distributed the papers in the House
of Commons. The text of the circular was
published in the original French. The infer:
ence is that the circular was specially framed
with the view of influencing public opinion here
and buried into the haods of members Of Par.
Lament in the hope Of aft ,ctug the vote Oh the
address.
A special dispatch from London to the Elin.
burgh Scotsman, says that at the secret determi
nations of the Cabinet, Lord Derby meant as
compelling bis retirement there from. were the
seizure of GaIhpo and the loading of an army
corps 10 Aoato'a.
CoNsTANTINorLE, April ll-Detcnsive works
near Constantlnop!e are being carried on with
great energy. The Turkish authorities at the
Island Of Tenedos have requested instructions
from the Porte 10 view of the Decentralization
Of British marines 10 guard depot of war ma
tcrisl GO the island.
ST. PETERSBURG. April l1.-Prince Gorts
chakoff's circular to the Ambassadors accom-
Wi plx, 70 I,or5 Sal al.