ENGLISH ITEMS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 761, 17 November 1876, Page 3

ENGLISH ITEMS.

Lond6n, October 10 Morning.—The Paris Times’ correspondent telegraphs the following:—The Porte’s first reply to the Powers is a dead letter. The Porte’s second reply is now officially known, I believe, and has been communicated to me. Its important points arp regarding an armistice and the administration of the Christian Provinces. The Porte refuses to accept the terms of an armistice, but it recognises that 'the Servians are inclined to be belligerent, but consents to a suspension of hostilities, duration not to be fixed, provided the Servian army shall not, in the meanwhile, be reinforced by foreigners. As to the second point, the Porte accepts the proposition of the Powers in principle, but proposed to give all its Provinces the same liberties without distinction. The Porte considers it absolutely ruinous to introduce different treatment into the Provinces. It is willing to place reforms under the collective guarantees of Europe, tn short, the Porte Says : Either you wish I should take any place anlO'ng the civilised States which are willing to consolidate with me by giving all my subjects the same laws, privileges, and security, or you persist in exaggerating the division and antagonism, because you only wish to delay, not to prevent my destruction. If the latter is the case, I prefer to struggle now at the risk of perishing, rather than resign myself to slower but inevitable death. A despatch to the Daily Telegraph from Constantinople states that the Grand Vizier resigned on hearing that England’s last proposal was intended as an ultimatum. The Times’ Belgrade despatch says : Bosnian chiefs have held a meeting and rejected the autonomy schemes as totally inadequate to meet the merits of the case. Cossacks and Russians arrive in Servia by hundreds daily. It is rumored that a brother of Harry Abbott, the General Consul at Salonica, assassinated last May, has been massacred, together with his family, near Salonica. It is reported that Russia, Austria, and Germany have entered into a secret treaty, in regard to a partition of a portion of Turkey. In the battle of September 2Stha battalion named after the Princess Natalie went into battle 900 strong, and only 40 answered to the roll-call next day; London, October Cth.— Great preparations are making in Deligrad'e for the coronation of Prince Milan. A magnificent throne and canopy were sent from Belgrade to Deligrade. The hiring of 200 workmen by the Servian Government, from the Imperial gun factory of Germany, and the fact that Russian agents are buying up all the grain in Wallachia, shows that Servia does not contemplate peace. London, October 4th.—The correspondent of the Times, in a letter dated September 26th, says : —The Porte grounds its response to the demands of the Powers on its alleged inability to curb the passions of the mob. Its ultimitthm is a threat of massacre of Christians. The Turkish Ministers allege that they are constantly receiving anonymous letters, and placards are posted at every corner of Stamboul, threatening popular vengeance on the Government if they accept conditions incompatible with the dignity of the Empire. A telegram from Constantinople says that the Sultan has sanctioned the last decision of the Extraordinary Council, looking to a plan of reform applicable to the whole Empire, including the removal of all disabilities from Christians. New York, October 7th,—Thoughtful ffien here, familiar with the intricacies of Continental politics, consider that latt week’s developments portend the certain in-

volvemont of Russia in the Servian war, unless Turkey shall promptly assent to such tonus of arrangement as tho Porte insists will excite a revolution on the part of tho Moslems, and unlcss'tho other PoWorfe shall unite in soihe positive declaration that will compel Russia to observe peace. Evidence accumulated that tho Moslems are influenced by violent anti-Christian fanaticisrh. This has turned British Sympathy against Turkey so generally tliht it is difficult, for tho British Government to sustain tho traditional policy. Russia seems- confident, therefore,j that she has no occasion to fear armed intervention by England. PWcintra, the Rothofcilds are confident that Russia will not commit herself to a great war, and that neither Austria nor Germany can do so, because their financial conditions forbid. Still the prepondering opinion here'is that Russia’s present Opportunity for advancing her policy as against Turkey will not be foregone, and that tho war must bo extended.