Year: 1868

casiOnal descent OF the former upon the focks and
herds where they find them unprotected in the val
leys-a species of warfare which no longer causes
anxiety at the Porte. In the meantime
the local authorities and the military sta
toned in the island are steadily progressing
with their roads and block houses, which SYSTEM
If persevered in, will soon enable them to drive the
last Of the.insurgentS from his hiding place. The
spring is now far advanced, and Russia, instead of
entering the openly and defanty with its long
looked for aid to the champions of Crete, is ener
getically protesting the sincerity Of its desire for
peace and its firm resolution not to separate itself
from the Western Cabinets in questions concerning
the amelioraton Of the condition of Christians in the
East. On the occasion OF the reception of the Rus
sian Ambassador by the Sultan, on his return from
his fruitless visit to St. Petersburg, General gnatie
gave his Majesty the most cordial assurances of the
amicable ana pacific disposition entertained towards
him by the Gear, and presented him with six mag
nifcent horses sent by the Emperor


The Sultan, in his reply, expressed warmly his
appreciation Of the assurances Of the good will Of
the Czar and his ardent desire to cultivate the most
friendly relations with the Court of st. Petersburg


The public has not been informed that the Russian
Ambassador took occasion to protest to the Sultan
against the recent atrocities committed by the Turk
ish troops in Crete, fully chroncled in some of the
Boston newspapers, no mention having been made
~.
The Russians having failed them, the Cretan com.
mittee now ask Congress for recognition and aid to
secure their complete emancipation and the inde-
pendence Of the island The United States can only
accomplish the latter by sending fleet to Gambia
and declaring against Turkey; and 1t is not pro-
bable that Congress will ever comply with the de-
mand for recognition, IN view OF the fact that Tur
| key not only refused to recognize the South, but
| forbid Confederate cruisers to enter It's ports.


The Abyssinian news has taken every one by
surprise. The Sultan Immediately telegraphed his
congratulations to Queen Victoria, both upon the
successful result Of the expedition against Theodorus
as well as the fortunate escape from death of Prince
! Alfred. To his assembled Ministers his comments
upon the history OF the Abysslnlan eXpeuton were err,
rapidity Of the British military operations in Abys-
snia with the tardy action of the Turkish forces In
Crete. He told them il the English had the Cretan


job in hand, than submit to the disgrace of
| athree years. campaign against handful of insur.
| gents they would bring out an army Of "navvies,"
| armed with picks and shoves, who would dig up the
whole island and throw 1t into the sea IN less time
than it had taken them tthe Turks to pacify IT,.
| views Of his ministers in regard to the recent
changes in the administrative machinery of the gov
inspired his Majesty with confidence. This absence
| Of unanimty and confidence between the sovereign
and has nearly brought the affairs Of State to dead
lock, so that we are expecting radical changes In
the general plan OF reorganization before the ship
of State be fairly started on new voyage. The
Sultan has already ventured upon unbeaten track
by removing the Sheikul.Islam, the chief of the
MahOmetan religion, who was replaced by one OF the
Hadas of the palace, q religious Instructor whose
business it is to expound the Koran to his Majesty


This new measure will tend to bring the church
affairs under the immediate control OF the Sui
| tan. The Sheik-ul-lsam was much esteemed and
venerated by all good Mussulmans for his learning
| and worthy and consistent conduct and one impor-
tan reason for his dismissal is said to be the desire
Of the Sultan to change the order OF succession u
Viceroy Of Egypt, to the eldest son Of the rel ming
monarch, instead OF the eldest male member OF the
family as the Koran ct hes such IA radical
| to SO important and well established law as that
which regulates the succession to the Ottoman throne
| may lead to grave complications, and might even
cause revolution and bloodshed, as the step would
be bitterly opposed by all the bgoted and fanatcal
| portion Of the MahOmetan population.


The sultan has for long time manifested very un-
friendly feelings towards his nephew Murad Eendi.
the heir apparent to the throne me- who Is now about
has been made so unhappy that IN fit OF despera-
tiOn he made an attempt short time since to escape
| to Europe incOgnitO. He resides at his country
house, near Kudkoi, on the Asatc side of the Bos-
phorus. His house is in the midst Of an extensive
Of the way OF the S1ltan's palaces or the usual
residences of any of the minister's but his move
ments are closely watched by persons appointed to
attend upon him.


During the past fortnight Pera has been overrun
with archdukes and princes The first party that
uncle, and Renier and Ernt, cousins OF the Austrian
Emperor. These visits caused no end OF trouble
and some expense 10 the Sultan, who, IN view OF the
magnificent reception given to himself during his
stay at Vienna last year and the cordial and friendly
| relations existing between Austria and the Porte
thought it necessary to spare no pains and expense
paying honor TO the members OF the family of his
imperial brother. The day after the arrival of the
archdukes they presented to the Sultan AT his
| palace and the day following his Majesty went on
horseback to the Austrian Embassy, accompa
MED by two OF his minister's to return the
visit. He also gave them dinner, on which
occasion, contrary TO established custom, he


leaving the Grand vizier to preside at the entertain
ment. The party left on Sunday Of last week, and
on Friday the Archduke Victor, brother OF the En-
per0r, arrived; other members OF the family are now
| In Paris. BY some this sudden movement and dis
persa OF the Hapsburgs Is attributed to the disgust
created by the matrimonial alliance Of one Of theiI
members with an actress, whom they refuse TO re-
| ceive at court. On the other hand 1t Is said thai
they absented themselves in order to avoid further
discussion OF the question OF the COHcO1dot as the
Emperor desired to delay any action upon 1t until
after the confinement OF the Empress and baptism
Of the child. IL IL understood that the archduKes
are. with the ministry, in favor OF the abolition o
the COnco'ddt and the Emperor in yielding to the
doubtless desires to delay the catastrophe to
| convenient season.


During the stay of the Austrian Archdukes the
Count de Chambord and his nephew, the Duke de
Parma, also arrived. The latter s making east
ern tour under the guidance of his uncle.


The Count de Chanbord- being the egitimist sue
cessor to the French throne, the sultan in view OF
the instability of human affairs, and of the reignlnQ
dynasty in France In particular, could not see the
propriety OF allowing the visit OF a parsonage who
may some fine morning be proclaimed King OF
France TO pass unnoticed. The French ambassador
however, declared, al know not the man. and n
order not TO risk giving offence to either party the
Sultan sent privately TO offer the Count sundry facili
Ties lOr pursuing Ills travels ana seeing the country
such as q steamer TO be at his disposal for making
trip TO Brussa, NC. Many French residents here OF
legitimate tendencies called upon the Count due
note OF which having been taken, viii exclude the
Offenders from the list Of future invitations TO the
|, | Embassy balls and dinners.


Just now published the regulations relative to the
new imperial tvc6e, at Gaata Serai, the OBJECT o.
which s to make public instruction Tn the empire
rival to the best OF similar establishments IN Europe
From these documents 1t appears that the younS
men OF every denomination Will be admitted into th


new school and bound to observe the practlces