The Portland daily press., 1878-01-03

and the second Balkan chain might effectually
bar all advance from the direction of Sophia
There is however succession of parallel val
leys formed by the Taploincs, the Gupso and
the Tund1a which run to the north of Ichtimau
by which the Russian columns descending
from the Etropol Balkans may press eastward
and uniting with the forces traversing the
Shipka Pass turn the position Of Ichtiman and
march down upon Adrianople. The only ques-
ton therefore is whether the Turks are strong
enough to bar Descent from Shipka Pass aud
hold Ichtiman with the defiles of Topoinica
and the Glimpse at the same time. If not they
must retreat still farther to the east.
A despatch from Ragusa reports that the
whole Montenegrln force from the Herzego-
VIVA frontier is moving into Albina. The
Governor of Albna has ordered forced levy.
The Itaic denies that the King used warlike
language at yesterdays reception and says he
was merely referring to the difficulties of the
European situation recommended by the ma
tional representatives to preserve concord
among themselves.
The Earl of Camarvon today received dep
utation of South African merchants, who ex-
pressed wish that achievements be sent to
the Cape, fearing that the cOlouists may be out
numbered, or in the event of European compli-
cations be left to their own resources. The
Earl admitted the situation at the Cape was
such to cause serious anxiety. In regard to the
probability of Hngland becoming involved in a
European war, he said he did not think 10 spite
of the fall of Plevna that there had been any
material change in the situation since Lord
Derby's reassuring speech in November. The
attitude of the government therefore remained
| the same. Watchfol of all real British inter-
| ests, friendly towards other nations. and neu-
| trial towards the belligerents. Although the
| government were not prepared to bolster up the
Turkish interests, as such they were resolved to
| have voice in the settlement of this question
| whenever it came on for settlement England
had not, as supposed, offered to mediate, but
| had merely conveyed oyertures of peace from
| one belligerent to the other. The Earl declared
that he wholly disagreed from the idea that the
Russian answer to those overtures W as any af-
| font or insult to England Such an idea SEEM
| ed unreasonable and unfounded. He thought
/ at the present moment there was q serious risk
on each side On the one hand he hoped we
| should not lash ourselves into nervous appre-
| hensiou concerning the British honor and in
| terests, as our honor had never been impeached
i throughout these transactions, and although
| our interests were undoubtedly large, we should
| discriminate between zeal and secondary inter-
ests
On the other hand he hoped eincerely that
| Russia would remember that many questions
| now arising are not for settlement between
belligerepts alone but will involve European in
| teTeste. In the final decision of these questions
| it was very important that England, as mem.
Der OF the European family, should have dis
| tinct voice.
VIENNA, Jan. 2.-Despatch to the Political
Correspondence dated Constantnople, Dec. 81
says the idea of opening direct negotiation with
! Russia meets with increasing favor at the
| Porte. The reason why this step has not YET
| been taken is the impossibility of ascertainipe
Russia's condition of peace.
BRUSSELS, Jan. 2..-The Independence Bslge'i
| despatch from Paris intimatss that Turkey will
| probably propose an armistice on a basis of bel
ligerents retaining the positions they now occu