WAR SUMMARY.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 March 1878, Page 6

WAR SUMMARY.

When the British fleet first entered the Dardanelles the Turkish batteries fired a salute, believing the long-looked for aid had come at last. A telegram next day instructed the withdrawal of the fleet, and it is reported that on a second entry, to prevent the fleet from being fired, on the ground that England had given an assurance that it intended to protect the Turks as well as English interests.

Lord Derby's protest against the Russian occupation of Constantinople has been published. It is very decidedly worded. It demonstrates that the entry of Russian troops would be a viola--tjpn of the armistice, and might provoke disorders, causing great danger to Christians, which the Russian Government deprecates. It concludes — " Her Majesty's Government can-not acknowledge that the despatch of British ships to Constantinople has any bearing on the entry of Russian troops into the the city, which latter measure they consider uncalled-for by any circumstances of military or other necessity, and tbe consequences of which may be disastrous to the whole population of the city." Lord Derby also telegraphed to Lord Loftus on February 13 that he had expressed to Count Schouvaloff the Government's earnest hope that Russian troops would not make any movement towards Gallipoli, or any movement of a nature to threaten the communication of the fleet, any such movement would be regarded in England as compromising the safety of the fleet, and in the actual state of public feeling he could not answer for the consequences, which might be most serious.

Namekyk Pasha went to the Russian headquarters charged to dissuade the Grand Duke Nicholas from occupying Constantinople. The Russians occupied Sanidie Redoubt, which is part of the Constantinople line ot defence.

Baron Mantenffel has been sent from Berlin to St. Petersburg on ati important mission.

It is reported that the Austrian Minister of Finance goes to London on a special mission.

It is reported that Russia suggested to the Porte the desirability of mo */ing the Mussulman population from Bulgaria, y

According to latest information, England and Russia will maintain their respective, military . apd. naval- -positions during* the session of Congress. No ".oth.nr powers will enter the Dardanelles, lest it should increase complications.

A correspondent says it is reported that the Circassians, when retreating before the Rusians, suffocated with sulphur 80 women ...and children, who had taken refuge in a cave.. '• ■

A Constantinople despatch says the Russian advance guard has not transgressed the lines settled by .armistice.

In consequence of the withdrawal of the British fleet to the Mediterranean, the' Russians will not occupy the suburbs of Constantinople.

Advices from Adrianople state it is believed that peace negotiations had been completed, and that the Russians will withdraw trom Roumelia, unless England makes some new move.

A . correspondent at Adrianople relates an interview with Server Pasha,, who declared that Turkey had been misled and encouraged to fight only by the promise of English support. He particularly accused Lord Beaconsfield and Mr Layard of encouraging this belief. He said he had documents which he would publish, and declared that he had now become a partisan of the Russian policy and alliance. Server Pasha's colleagues at Adrianople confirmed his statement. •••

The sending ofthe fleet to Constantinople caused great excitement in Russia, many journals urging that it should be accepted as a declaration of war.

A struggle with England would be popular with the Russian army and people, although the officers spoke of it gravely as certain to be a terrible conflict. - -