The Portland daily press., 1885-05-02
PEACE PROSPECTS.
A Special Messenger from the
Gear on His Way to London
Carrying Russia's Answer to Eng
land.
The Gear Intimates that He
Earnestly Desires Peace.
Turkey to Allow English Vessels to Pass
Through the DArdanelles.

LONDON, May 1.--Sensaticnal rumors are
current OF Russian advance towards Herat,
but, because OF the denial Of the Russian az
vance to Maruchak, no credeuce is given to the
rumors. Meanwhile E0gland's preparations
for war continue unchecked. The admiralty
are busy inspecting various vessels with view
to chartering or purchasing then.
The Standard expresses the greatest dissatis-
faction at the proposal of arbitration by a
crowLed head, and asks who will be able TO he
al impartial judge end how will he be able to
get at the facts? Will Komaroff and Lumsden
be placed in the witness box? The Standard
concludes that any such settlement, even If &C.
cepted by Russia, would only solve the matter
for short time.
Advices state that deputstion of the in.
habitants Of Herst waited upon the governor
Amer that the people would rather suffer the
hardssips of long siege than surrender to
Russia.
PARIS, May 1. The Snez Canal commission.
composed of representatives OF the powers, and
appointed to fix the status Of the canal Ia the
event of war, will be dissolved Immediately
upon declaration of war between England
and Russia.
ST. PETER BURG, May l. 1t is reported that
the Gar wilt shortly visit Cronstadt. The Rus
sian military authorities have established per-
manent garrisons at Krosnoyodsk, Askabad
and Chikishar.
New cattle May 1.-The directors Of a
large steamship insurance club advise the
members not to charter steamers for Russian
ports during the month OF May.
LONDON, May IA telegram from st.
Petersburg today states that the Russian gov
ernment has forbidden the entry of ships into
the port Of Caonstadt, and vessels now on the
way to Cronstadt will probably be required to
load and unload in the new canal there.
PARIS, May lit is rumored here that Rus
sis has made counter proposals to England and
q nrn mil huh 10 hn NfnA
by England.
LONDON, May There is a slight relaxa-
ton III the tension of the relations OF Russia
and England. Russia appears 20 be disposed
to entertain England's latest proposals to SUBJ
NIT to arbitration OF one Of the crowned heads
of Europe the question whether the conven-
tion of March II was broken by Russia. II is
believed that the King OF Denmark will be Sc
lected as the arbitratof.in the event Of media
tion being accepted.
BERLIN, May There was an important
recovery in prices gu the Bourss today, owing
to the favorable political outlook, and better
quotations in prices followed. Russian and
Turkish securities advanced materially.
MELBOURNE, May 1.-Incessant exertions
are being made to place the colony of Victoria
in state of security against attacks by Rus
sian cruisers in case OF war, and popular en-
thusiasm has been thoroughly aroused. The
military aud naval preparations are in high
considered impregnible.
PARIs. May There was buoyant feeling
on the Bourse today, and q general rise in
prices took place.
LONDON, May 1.-The dockyard authorities
at SheerDess have been ordered to furnish
immediately ninety-three additional torpedo
boats.
The British government has chartered the
steamship British Empire. TIE Alaska will
be armed with 10 40-pound guns.
The morning papers all comment favorably
on the budget. The Times and Telegraph ad-
yocate an increase in the customs duties on tea.
The Times says:
but can hardly be reckoned among the courageous
and logical achievements of constructive genius in
finance
The Standard says:
The days of peace and prosperity, when the liber.
al chancellors were embarrassed with SURPRISES are
past. MIR. Childers has met the difficulties with
courage. Tho scheme, on the whole, is a highly
commendable one.
LONDON, May IAN agreement has been
concluded between the English and Turkish
governments, by which the latter will allow
vessels OF the former to pass through the
Dardsnelies in the event of war with Russia.
In return for this favor Turkey will be allowed
to send an expedition to occapy the Soudan,
BY way of Suakim and England will restore
Cypress to Turkey at the end of five years and
guarantees the integrity of the states of the
port
The Ameer has sent troops to occupy Ardo-
ben Pass to prevent q Russian surprise Of Herat
By that rout.
The News says: A special messenger has
left st. Petersburg and will arrive in London
Monday or Tuesday, bringing Russas answer,
which will probably be formal acceptance Of
the English proposals The Gear has inii.
mated to Eogsnd that he earnestly desires
peace. The News sditorially says it rejoices
that the prospects of peace between England
and Russia are brighter than at any time
during the negotiations.