The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-12
Gortschakof Announces the Occu-
patton of Constantinople.
MYSTERY AND MEN-OF-WAR.
Reported Refusal of the Porte to Ac-
cept EngIands Protection.
A CRITICAL SITUATION.
rBY CABLE TO THE HERALD.

way. 1t is also officially announced at St. Peters
burg that Prince GOrtschakof on Sunday tee-
graphed to the Powers stating tnat the intelll-
gence that Great Britain and other Powers had
determined TO send ships to Constantinople for
the protection Of their subjects obliged Russia TO
consider proper means for protecting Christians
whose lives and property might be threatened.
For this purpose the Russian Government had
been obliged to contemplate the entry Of u por-
ton Gifts troops into ConstantInople. This was
announced in these dispatches yesterday morning.
OCCUPATION OF CONsTANTINoPLE
The correspondent of the Times at St
Petersburg telegraphs as follows:-"I can
state positively that orders have been
sent TO the Russian troops to enter
Constantinople. Count SchouvaloT has been
ordered to explain to Lord Derby that the Great
Powers have determined to send their fleets to
Constantinope Russia is obliged to adopt similar
measures. but Russia has no intention OF aggravat-
Ing the situation"
UNAVOIDABLE, WHATEVER THE RESULT
The Times In its leading article says that a
portion OF the British fleet Will proceed 10 Con-
stantinople. That Is unavoidable alter what has
occurred The leading article points out that
Lord Derby emphasized his statement that the
other Powers may not consider it necessary to
avail themselves Of the drmans for the admission
1t is possible. therefore, that the British and Rus
slams alone may be present at Constantinople
such position would be one of the gravest
anxiety.
WHAT HAsTY WORDS MIGHT DO.
Everything may turn upon the character of the
Russian occupation. A mere demonstrative occu-
prtion as that of Paris in 1870, ought not to be
regarded as alarming but occupation in
force. with no apparent limit in point OF time
would throw upon our government very grave
responsibility The moment Is one at which few
hasty words or single hasty act might precipitate
o conflict
"oNI.Y LITTLE MoRE.'
The government have laid down certain limits,
beyond which we cannot remain Indifferent to the
advance OF Russia. If these limits are passed IL
will be their duty to act promptly and boldly but 1t
Is equally their duty TO place no hasty construction
on acts which may be capable OF two lnterpreta
ti0ns
ORDERS TO THE GRAND DUKE.
1t Is semOllcally announced like wise that orders
have been sent to the Grand Duke Nicholas IN ac-
cordance with the determination expressed above
Russian newspapers generally doubt whether the
protection OF British subjects is the sole for
sending the fleet to the Bosphoros.
He WILL VISIT THE SULTAN.
despatch from COnstantinople OF February 10,
seems to confirm the above. 1t says cit is re-
ported that the Sultan has invited the Russian
Grand Duke Nicholas to spend few days in Con-
stantlnOple. Saivet and Sadyk Pachas will go to
Adranople on Tuesday to negotiate treaty OF
peace with Generals Ignatier and NJ. Neidof, for
merly Ambassador and First Secretary of the Rus
sian Embassy at Constantinople, respectively"
ENGLAND's PROTECTION NOT WANTED
The Agence Russe, OF St Petersburg, declares
that facts do not justify the reasons alleged Tor
sending the fleet, as, according to dispatches from
the Prince of Reuss dated February 8, the safety
Dr the Christians was III no way threatened. AL
the reports of Russians abusing the armistice IRE
absolutely false.
ALL ABOUT THE FLEET
In the House OF Commons yesterday afternoon Sir
Stafford Norlhcotc, Chancellor OF tho ExcheqIer In
reply to an inquiry Of Sir. Forster, said-'rhere is
some delay In the 1ees going up to Cons tan,inopie
The government cannot enter into details. Negotia.
tons arc going on, but the government have not
changed their Intention" Meanwhile 1t is said that
the fleet has returned to its former anchorage In
Besika Bay.
1T WILL DE ARRANGED.
In the House OF Lords, yesterday afternoon Lord
Derby Foreign Minister, ia response to question put
by Lord Granville. said that the dIicu y regarding
the entry OF the fleet would, he believed, soon be
overcome, and that three other Powers had asked for
1rmans permitting their vessels 10 enter Turkish
waters
ADVISING THE PORTE.
correspondent, teegraphing from Vienna Mon
day night, says:-'lr is expected hourly that as
compromise the Porte viii admit two men o!-war
Of each Power The Ambassadors at Pera have
advised the Porte to take this course
REASONING WITH sCANTY KNOWLEDGE
The Times correspondent at Vienna teegraphs as
ioows-"lt seems that the Russian note
sented. The delay is only explicable on
the suppositon that 1t is occasoned by the deter
mination of the British government to send
the heet to Cons tantnople. The step was
unexpected and 1t has produced a rather startling
effect, that pending q decision to the
attitude to assume, Russia may have deemed
1t advisable 10 delay the delivery OF the
note" This correspondent, who, however,
Is obviously ignorant OF Prince Gortscha-
kon-s last telegram to the Powers, says 1t seems
the suspicion with which Englanas step was first
regarded soon moderated. According to one &C
count the Car has reiterated his assurances In
regard TO British interests
AUSTRIA HAS ASKED.
A despatch from Vienna confirms the report that
Austria has asked for Grman admitting her feet to
the Dardanclics.
HAS THE PORTE RKFUsEDg
n
edition containing the following despatc :--"Cou-
stantinople, Sunday night-Tho Porte has refused a
nrman permitting the British fleet to come 10 Con.
stantnoplo Oh the ground that II the sultan allowed
IL tho Russian forces will probably occupy the ctyp
CURRENT TALK YESTERDAY.
Tho Pail Mall Gazette SAID yesterday tit was
known In all tho embassies In London this morning
that Porte had refused to allow the British fleet 10
approach Constant nope. Cabinet Council was
hastily sum IN oncd this morning"
WHERE Is THE FLEET?
A later despatch from Constantnoplo than that
dated Sunday, SIX O'Clock 7. NJ, and reporting tho
non-rcceipt ofintelgence touching tho British nect
says, "rhere Is no news OF the feet yct"
ENGLAND. WHY NOT RUSSIAN
The Agence Russo, OF ST. Petersburg. issues
article repeating its declaration Of Saturday that tho
entry OF fleets OF the Powers Into the Bosphorus
moment when peace is being negotiated will imply