The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-03-15
EUROPE.
General Dilapidation in the Turkish EN-
pira

the almost hopeless condition OF confusion and
dilapidation. The consuls at Salonica have
informed the ambassadors at Constantinople
that except in the immediate vicinity of the
towns the whole region is dominated by
brigands. Thirteen distinct bands are enume-
rated. comprising about $50 men-Greeks,
Wallachs, Bulgarians, Albanians and Turkish
deserters They levy blac kmail upon the
Mussulmans aud Christians indiscrminately
Up to the 18th inst. no further news regard
ing Col Synge and wife ad reached Constan-
tinople.
Famine in Armenia and Kurdistan
Appalling accounts continue to come from
Armenia and Kurdistan. The famine extends
over one hundred thousand square miles, Five
months must pass before another harvest can
bring relief. An appeal for help is published
here, signed by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Marquis of Salisbury, Earl of Shaftesbury and
and number OF other prominent gentlemen.
War OF Races in Roumelie.
The troubles between the Greeks and Bull
garianS in Eastern Roumelia have become so
acute and the evidence of systematic effort
ny the Bulgarians to drive away the Greeks
and MuSsulsmanS is so overwhelming that
Aleko Pasha, Governor General though he is
believed to be in sympathy with that move
ment, has been compelled to issue a circular to
the projects commanding them to dissolve the
Bulgarian secret societies and armed gymnas-
tic associations, organized by the Russians
during their administration in that province.
o0us OlToCh0F, COMMANDER Oh the ROumollan
militia, has demanded dismissed of the Rus
sian officers, and threatens to resign if refused.
BAD Financial Condition of Turkey.
The financial situation of the Empire is very
bad. The ministers are endeavoring to frame
some plan of reform and retrenchment. The
salaries of many officials, including the men,
OF the Cabinet have been largely reduced. 1t
has been resolved to return to a gold standard
and to require all revenue to be paid in gold
to the exclusion of paper. The debased
metallic currency, however, will be receivable
for arrears OF taxes at One-haf its pominal
value. This decision has occasioned further
heavy depreciation in the metallic currency,
and is declared impolitic, cruel and unjust.
Great CONSERVATION was produced by it. The
price of bread had risen in proportion to the
further depreciation of almost the only avail
able medium of purchase. Shop-keepers
refuse to receive it except at a reduction.
which entails upon the poor the loss of half
their means. Already disturbances are re-
reported from several provinces both in
Europe and Asia and in some of the towns
bakers shops are pillaged.
The Coming Elections in England.
1t is impossible to foretell the result of the
coming elections accurately. The extreme
men OF both sides claim large majority. 1t is
reported that the Tory headquarters are less
sanguine since accounts have been received
from the country. The Liberal provincial
papers are more confident than those in Lon
don whereTorey social influence preponderates
The Liberal officials expect small majority.
Whichever wins they are confident of gaining
IL seats in Ireland, 9 in Scotland and hope to
reconquer half of the % Liberal seats sacrificed
election campaign is already in full swing.
Altogether there are 800 candidates for the
652 seats. The Liberals are far better organ
lied than at the last election
Home Rule Meeting in Dublin.
DUBLIN, March 1.-THE Irish National Land
League in conjunction with the Dublin trade
societies held large meeting in Phoenix Park
to-day. Bigger and Sullivan, Homerule
members OF Parliament, and Davitt, Daly.
Brennan and Killen, who are under indict-
ment for seditious utterances, were present.
A United States flag was conspicuously dis
played. A heavy rain seriously interfered
with the success of the meeting. Lord Mayor
Gray has consented to contest Dublin for a
seat in Parliament.
A st. Petersburg Paper Urging Reform
ST.. PETERSBURG, March 1.-THE t1olos
publishes an unusually outspoken article urging
reforms as the most deadly weapons against
sedition and anarchy.
The Refusal to Deliver Hartmann
The Journal De st. Petersburg says: "ThaF
very day on which the French cabinet refused
to give Hartmann to the Russian authorities
Premier De Freycinet had been informed of
the arrival in Paris of fresh documents
proving beyond all doubt Hartmann's compli-
SAoy IL ouo NloSCOW oAplOSlOu Inc caDlnot
decision amounts to the announcement of
assassins and is therefore greatly to be re-
GREETED"
Discussions in the French Cabinet.
LONDON, March 14.-The Standards dis
patch from Paris says: In spite of the semi
official denial it is clear the Cabinet is divided
on article of the Ferry educational bill It
is semi-officially said it may be necessary for
the French ministry to ask the Chambers to
proclaim martial law to suppress possible dis
turbances.
The Attempt on Melikoffs Life.
The News Berlin despatch reports that
Gen. Melikoff has received notice from the
Nihilist executive committee, stating that
Valodetsky's attempt on his life was not made
by order of the committee, that they had not
yet decided to kill him and that if the recent
attempt had been made under their direction
they would have provided better weapons and
means of flight for the assailant.