The Portland daily press., 1885-04-23
Russian Poland Military Reserves Or
dered to be Modified.
Russia Refuses to Inquire Farther
Into Komaroff IS Report.
Opinion in Diplomatic Circles That
Peace Cannst be Maintained.

LONDON, April 22.-The Russian feet in the
Pacific Ocean consists of three ironclads and
80 fast cruisers. Vladivostock is well fortified.
Rnssia is anxious regarding the attitude which
China will adopt in the event of war be-
tween Russia and England.
1t is reported that the Russian government is
purchasing in England, through London mer-
chants, chain armor fer gunboats.
All the military reserves of the first class in
Russian Poland have been ordered to be mo-
biliZed. The decree also extends to the SOUTH
west provinces of Russia.
In defiance of her treaty stipulations with
England, Turkey and the other powers, Russia
is strongly fortifying Batoum, on the eastern
coast of the Black Sea. The place is now an
immense depot for guns and munitions of war,
and large corps of infantry and cavalry
guards the railway from Poti, on the coast of
the Black Sea, to Tihis, the capital of Trans
caucasia. This railway is Of great value in
transporting troops from the Black Sea to the
Caspian on the way from European Russia to
Afghanistan
Baron De Staal, the Russian ambassador to
England, has written to friends in Stuttgart
thst he has firm confidence that peace will be
preserved.
Lord Wolseiey is expected to return to Eng
land Immediately to assist at a council of war.
The English forces on the Nile will be re-
moved to Lower Egypt. A portion is to be left
at Wady Halfa, sufficient to repel any rebel
attacks.
Two ironclads and five belted cruisers are to
be constructed at cost of &2, 100000. An So
ton gun has been shipped for H. M. S. In.
flexible, which will soon join the squadron at
Malta.
The English government ia likely to provide
for the war credit by suspension of the sink
ing fund, measure which would furnish
$50 100000, and by an addition to the income
tax to supply the balance.
There are two suppositions in regard to the
postpcnement of the consideration OF the
budget first, that the government want the
credit voted Immediately; and second, that
they still hope peace will make large credit
unnecessary.
1t is reported that France will send q fleet at
once to Alexandria il Egypt refuses redress
for the suppression of the Bosphore Egyptien,
the French newspaper at Cairo.
PARIS, April 22.-The journal des Debats
states that Mr.. Gladstone, in avowing the re-
sponslbillty for the suppression of the news
paper Bosphore Egyptien, makes it necessary
Tor France to look to England for redress.
France" continues the Journal, will main
tain her rights, and she does not lack the
means to enforce them."
LONDON, April 22.-The Times st. Peters,
burg correspondent learns that the telegraph
line from Askabad to Merv will not be COM
pleted until the 9th inst. The statement that
1t had been finished was incorrect. The sitUa-
tlon, the correspondent says, appears to be
unchanged.
Finland has protested against the issue of
letters of marque, should war take place be-
tween England and Russia. Finland is appre-
hensive of serious damage along her coasts by
the fleets of England should these letters of
marque be issued.
ROME, April 22.-The Moniteur Di Rome
says that the italian Navigation Company has
stopped the further sale of their steamers to
England until after a conference with the
| government authorities.
BERLIN, April 22.-There is talk here of a
| European conference being called to settle the
dispute between England and Russia.
CALCUTTA, April 22.-The opinion is ex-
| pressed here that it would be grave mistake
| to cede Penjdeh to the Russians, as it would
| enable Russia to cut Herat off from Badako-
| han, thus preventing communication between
Afghan Turkestan and Cabul, and would
allow Russia to push forward descent upon