EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 33, 18 May 1878, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From latost American papors.) LONDON, March 27. The Government has distributed among boat-builders an order for additional horse-boats to be delivered immediately.

j Russia's answer to England's late question merely says that the Government adheres to its former view. This does not sound very promising, but it is still thought here that the reply will notolose all interchange of opinion. A large number of paval officers are on the way to join the Russian forces along the Straits. There is muoh activity at Baltic ports in shipping torpedoes and naval supplies designed for the Dardanelles. Vienna newspapers consider that the Congress has failed, and that Austria must now look to the protection of her own interest. A Berlin dispatch says: The Powers have declined a suggestion made by Russia that the Congress be held without England. Prinoe Gurtchakoff is endeavouring to bring about a meeting of the three Emperors and three Chancellors. Russia is understood to have indicated her unwillingness to make further con-

cessions to Ausr.rin, and lOiueconcessions, alho to Ruuniunia, beiug prompted,' it is thought, by growing apprehensions of the differences with England. Germany has, under the ciroumsUncoa, abandoned fur the present all idea of issuing invitation* fur a Congress. The Berlin Post, the reputed organ of Bismarck, says . " A failure of the Congrass would probably result in Russia and England remaining at peaco, but arming tor war. This prolonged armament England oaa infinitely butter afford than lin-M.i which would no redusod to exhaustion were she obliged to maintain buranriir.n:) war footing for some years. As Russia cannot attack England while hi.; ;l in.l is perfecting her position to bide bur time, the L"i.ir will probable be driven to extend bis conquests in the interval, the b"tt«r to bo prepared fur the collision when it does occur i but in such a case Austria and Greece would join England to protect their own interests. An to Germany, she will never fight for Russia or any other

foreign interests. Russia, therefore, had better restrain her auibitiou.

A Bucharest special says; The Besarabian question .stands thu*; Russia has agreed that it should be brought before the Congress and decided by it, de■l iring herself ready to keep Dobrudscha if the Powers pronounce against the exchange.

Bucharest papal attack the stipulation in the Treaty of St. Stefano that Russia shall maintain communications through Roumania two yean. They say that the Russo-Roumanian Convention terminates with the end of the war, and that the stipulation would perpetuate the block of traffic on Roumanian roads and railways, and injure the trade of the country. The Roumanian Government has refused a Russian application to build a hospital and telegraph station at Galats. The Berlin Tagblatt says that Prince Bismarck's latest attempt at mediation between England and Russia has thus far been unsuccessful. This proposal was that Russia should indicate beforehand the points in the Treaty which she agrees should be discussed at the Congress. Russia has not yet replied to this proposal.

A Constantinople despatch says: Grand Duke Nicholas will probably remain here a week, tie dined, to day, with tho Sultan. A project is being discussed for the erection of a Sanitarium for the Russian sick, on heights of Buyukdero. A Bucharest despatch says: In the Chamber of Deputies, to-day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs declared that the Treaty of St. Stefano was for Roumania null and void. He stigmatized that Treaty as a scourge. The Roumanian Government, ho said, would yield nothing where the rights of the country were concerned. I Count Andrassy has informed Sir i Henry Elliot that Austria would remain neutral in tho event of an Anglo Russian war.

ASt Petersburg despatch says: The dead-lock continues. It is stated that Russia is quite ready to make considerable modifications if it can be shown that they aro for the general good, and that the Powers will enter Congress with a desire of arriving at a durable settlement, and uot simply to undo what has boen done. It is believed, however, that the English Government is animated by a very different spirit. The Times, in a leading editorial, says : The hope that tho Congress will meet has now almost vanished. The disagreement between our Government and that of Russia seems insuperable. Tho Daily Telegraph, this morning, says : On Tuesday night Her Majesty's Government received the reply of Prince Gortschakoff. The Cabinet reassembled, yesterday, to consider it. As our Paris correspondent states, the reply is to the effect that Prince Gortschakoff fully understands the wish of England to take up all the conditions and general purport ot the Provisional Treaty: but, from Russia's point of view, he must maintain the exercise of a veto upon the discussion of those terms which are considered at St. Petersburg as outside of European j urisdietion and concern. The Telegraph adds: The natural consequences of Russia's answer is that the Congress will not j meet.

A Vienna correspondent 6eems hopeful, and intimates that Austria is endeavouring tu arrange a compromise. These sanguine views, however conflict with the general tenor of the news. This correspondent also deolares that Austria has not thought of a Congress without England, nor has such an idea been suggested elsewhere. A Paris despatch says : The German Government is much disappointed at the failure of the Congress, but thinks negotiations therefore may he successfully renewed. An explosion oocurred to-day in the Opedall Colliery, North Staffordshire. Five corpses have already been recovered. Thirty persons are still in the pit, and it is feared they are all dead. March 23. Representatives of the Admiralty were in Liverpool yesterday, inspecting the steamers of several Atlantio Companies, with a view to their employmeut in transporting troops, in case of emergency. The Assistance, an iron screw troop ship of 2038 tons, is the only transport in the service specially fitted to carry oavalry, and an ordor has beon received at Portsmouth that all troop ships, inoluding the five Indian troopers, must have their hj itohways enlarged, and other alterations made, to allow horses and ambulance and baggage waggons being lowered below. Besides carrying a complete battalion, each troop ship will be required to convey about twelve waggons and sixty horses.

A St Petersburg correspondent says the British Cabinet in demanding a formal assurauoe from Russia which none of the other Powers support must have one of two aims: either to inflict formal humiliation upon Russia, or to get out of i lie necessity of attending the Oongrosn. In the former case, Russia cannot make any concession : in the latter, t 1.. Congress will not be held, and Russia will endeavor to come to an arrangement with Germany and Austria. Thus England oondcinni herself to isolation, makes the Triple Alliance a political noeeeaity, anil parhapi rondors imminent thai radical solution of tho Eastern Questi hi which nln- wishes to prevent A despatch from St. Petersburg eayn thore is an txeited party then, who op« pose any eonotMloni to Austria which might Impair the Treaty of Sju Stetano,

considered sufficiently humiliating for Russia already. A Vienna correspondent telegraphs : So long at the slightest chance remains of a real Congress of all the signatory Powers, thus securing the possibility of an European settlement, it will be tenaciously clung to here. All efforts will be concentrated on increasing these chances, and on removing obstacles in the way of the Congress. The pro-Russian party is urging the Government to accept Bosnia, Herzegovina, and the territory on the /Egeiiu Sea. Another Vienna correspondent says a sudden and unaccountable change in the Government's attitude is reported. It is said that Count Andraasy has only been feigning concurrence with the Court party, and that be is now preparing to oppose Russia openly, with the entire Hungarian party at his back.

In the House of Commons, this afternoon, Sir Stafford Northcote, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to an enquiry sent by Lord Hartington, leader of the Liberals, said : " The correspondonoe in the recent negotiations will be on the table this evening. Russia's reply was reoeived yesterday. She adheres to her previous declaration, and explains that the point of leaving full liberty of appreciation and action to the Powers leaves everybody at liberty to raise such questions a3 it thinks fit to discuss, and reserves to Russia the liberty to accept or not such discussion."

It is stated that a Russian camp of 200,000 men is forming at Khokand, destined to operate against India. The House of Lords was very crowded this afternoon. Many members of the Lower House wore present. Lord Derby entered soon after 5, and took a seat below the gangway, instead of on the Trearury Bench. Ho rose almost immediately and announced his resignation as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, which, he said, had been accepted by the Queen, and he only continued to hold office until the appointment of his successor. He regretted that, under the circumstances, it would not Be justifiable for him to follow the oustomary course of explaining, in detail, the difference whioh led him to resign. The Cabinet had arrived at certain conclusions, of a grave and important character, in which he was not able to concur. To prevent needless alarm, he would say that he did not consider these measures as necessarily tending to bring about war. He gave the Cabinet credit for sincerely desiring European peace, but he could not regard the measures which have been resolved upon as prudent, in the interests of peace, or necessary for the safety of the oountry. When the concurrence of Parliament is asked for the measures of which he had pp>ken, he would vindicate his opinion, lie would state, however, that he did not dissent from the Cabinet's view of the conditions upon which Europe might go into Congress. He lamented the obstacles to the meeting of the Congress, hut the fault did not rest with the Government of this country. Lord Beaconßfield said he would willingly refrain from noticing the reasons which had influenced Lord Derby to resign, until the period when the reasons might be legitimately considered by the House ; but so muoh mischief might ocour from unnecessary mystery, that it was his duty to Bay that, in consequence of the belief of the Government that the Congress would not be held, and that hopes of rectifying the disturbed balance of power in the Mediterranean had ceased, it was the duty of the Ministers to consider what steps should be taken to prevent impending mischief. They had, therefore, advised her Majesty to avail herself of the services of her reserve forces. A message to that effect would be laid before Parliament. He deeply regretted that he would not have the support of Lord Dorby, when he submitted the measures on which the Cabinet had resolved to Parliament. He had felt, of late, that the political ties between Lord Derby and himself must soon terminate, but he had believed it would be in a very different and more neutral manner, namely, that he (Lord Beaconsfield) would disappear from the scene, while Lord Derby would remain to take the leading part in public affairs. He was sustainod, at the present moment, by the confidence that the polioy the Government recommended to her Majesty would cause the maintenance of her Empire, the freedom of Europa, and the greatness and seourity of the country. (Cheers.)

The Opposition, in the absense of definite information, abstained from raising any discussion for the present.

A Rutschuok despatch says : The feeling of dislike between the Russians and Roumanians is iuoroased. The latter contrive all sorts of annoyance, espeoially to civilians carrying Russian passports. The Roumanians have also established duties amounting to fifteon per cent, on all provisions brought here from Giurgevo. A Pera despatch says: The new Italian Cabinet is not considered favourable for Turkey. Count Corti, recently Minister at Constantinople and now Minister of Foreign Affairs, was nn ally of General Ignatieff, and is strongly pro-Russian.

In the Iluune of Commons, the Secretary of War, Gathorn Hardy, said it was necessary to call out the first class of the Army reserve, numbering 14,000, and the Militia reserve, which was betwoen 25,000 and 86\000, This would be followed hy a proclamation, calling out such of tho reeervo force as might bo required. Hardy pointed out that this is not tlm embodiment of the militia, which would not take plsrc until it was nc'casKry to send the rugulais abroad

The Admiralty hag purchased the mail steamer Menatus, building on the Tyne, for a troop-ship. A Constantinople special aavs it hj thought that Safvet Pasha will request England to withdraw her fleet, as Russia and Turkey are now allies. The Times, in a leading article, says • "Russia has adopted an utterly indefensible attitude, and unless she withdraws it may be necessary for us to be prepared to fully assert our rights." A Vienna correspondent states that Gen. Ignatieff, so far, seems to have confined himself to demonstrating that Ru.ssia'a military position is such that she has no occasion to fear anything, and that she has carefully considered Austria's intorests. The correspond out thinks that ho comes too late to impress those views, as Austria's opinion is already tolerably formed, while, if he has any more pusitiye proposals, he may be early, as Austria still seems to cling to tho hope of an European solution.

Another telegram from Vienna says : It is untrue that Count Andrassy informed Elliott that Austria would remain neutral in the event of an Anglo-Russian war. Things looked very favourable -to Russia at the oommencemen of the week, but have now resumed an uncertain aspect. Count Andrassy shows no disposition to yield to the persuasions of General Ignatieif. The latter only speaks of explanations, not of concessions, to be made by Russia. A Berlin despatch says that Gen. Ignatietf seems authorised to promise, as the prioe of Austrian neutrality, the restriction of the Bulgarian and Montenegrin frontiers, a railway from Salonica to the Austrian frontier, and the possible extension of Austrian territory. March 29. The Bt. Petersburg Agence Russe sav3 the version of GortsohakofFs reply which appeared on Thursday morning is wholly inaccurate. Russia does not maintain the right of vetoing the discussion of tho terms of the Treaty outside of European jurisdiction. Gortschakoff has maintained throughout for each member of the Congress absolute liberty to discuss every clause, and also perfect freedom of opinion and decision. It is stated that the attempt has been resumed in Vienna to find the middle course in regard to the Congress, as a compromise between England and Russia.

In consaquenoe of a request from Russian head-quarters, the Servian Cabinet, after a Council to-day, ordered thirty battalions of Servian troops to provisionally occupy Sofia, the Russian troops there have been ordered to join the army before Constantinople. The Post, in a leader, states that General Ignatiotf will probably visit Berlin, Paris, and Rome, and finally London. A Committo of the Austrian General Staff has reported that the Treaty of St. Stefano would oompel Austria to extend her military power over Servia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Albania. The views of Austria and Russia are so widely different that the feasibility of an understanding is doubtful. General Melikoff has addressed a note to the Porte demanding the dismissal of the British fleet from the neighborhood of Constantinople. Safvet Pasha communicated the note to Minister Layard, who, in accordance with instructions from the British Government, replied that the fleet would remain until after the departure of the Russians from the environs of Constantinople. The Porte handed the reply to General Melikoff without remark.

A Vienna despatch says: It is rumored that Bismarck is making further efforts to assemble the Congress, and has asked Euglaud to forward precise statements of her demands.

A special from Pera states that the visit of Grand Duke Nicholas has ended. All the foreign vessels, except the English, manned their yards as he loft in the Imperial yatoh on Thursday. A rumor was current in London last night that the Right Hon. Gathorn Hardy, Secretary of State for the War Department, will be raised to the Peerago to succeed the Marquis of Salisbury as Secretary of State for India. Colonel Stanley, now Under Secretary of War, will succeed Hardy. The Times, iu a leading editorial, speaks of the appointment of the Marquis of Salisbury to be Foreign Secretary as an actual fact, and considers that it may be taken as a pledge- that no measures of mere hostility to Ruseia will bo adopted, and it should faciliate further negotiations. Russian newspaper state that many advantageous offers for letters of ra&rgue, in case of an Anglo-Russian war, have been received from the United States and elsewhere, but none have been accepted so far.

A special from Belgrade reports that the Servians have received orders from St. Stefano to maroh with all their available foroes to Pristina and Albania.

A special from Constantinople announces that the Turks have abandoned Karak, at the Black Sea entrance of tho Bosphorus. All Vienna correspondents of tho London journals concur in tho statement that Gen. IgnatefTs mission has failed. The Times' Vionna correspondent doubts whether Ignateff has the power and will to alter his mup of Bulgaria so as to suit tho views thore; but should somo kind of nn agreement bo pome to about the roup, there will still be a good deal to bo said as to tho organiaitiott of tho Primifolitj bv Russia, BDd id occupation by r>o,uoo mo'u for two yearn. The dosiro for on upderstandiug may be ilnci re, bill flio viowii uro so widely divergent that it may bo

doubted whether this will be easy of ac complishnieut. » fho Tunes, in an editorial, says that neither the objects Russia proclaimed ti the outset nor the events of the war, juatined her advance upon Constantinople, nor her approach to the Bosphorus and Dardanelles. As lone u she remains in that menacing position, we shall feel it necessary to retain our ships in the Sea of Marmora, and to long consequently will peace be uncertain. It is Russia who has trespassed upon the forbearance of England, not England who has shown a lack of consideration for her. That forbearance has now been strained to its limits, but nothing but necessity would induce us to assert our rights by force, and a timely and temperate concession on the part of the Russian Cabinet would, without in the least degree compromising the interests of Russia, insure the peace of Europe. It is learned on fair authority that nothing prevents Russians from marching to the coast and seizing a fort commanding the entrance to the Black Sea.

It is stated that the Russian Quartermaster Department in Roumania has been ordered to engage 10,000 carts. The Russians have forbidden the export oi cereals from the Lower Danube.

An Athens despatch says: Fierce fighting has occurred at ALocrinitza between Insurgents and Turks. Several Turkish ships are bombarding villages on the coast. The British iron tuiTet ship Devastation and the conette Ruby are cruising along the Cuast of Macedonia, for the purpose of rescuing refugee women and children. A correspondent of ap irvincial journal fays there is a belief that some steps for guarding British interests, like the entry of the Meet into the Black Sea or the occupation of Gallipoli, has been determined Upon. A proposition for a juiut preliminary Conference of Ambassadors at Beiliu svas submitted by Bismarck and immediately deolined by Eugland, because it was useless.

March 31. A despatch from Vienna, date. J to-day, says: General Ignatietl left here for St. Petersburg this morning. The senii-olti-cial Montag's Revue says: General Iguatieti' ascertained from Cuuul Andrassy that Austria rejects the treaty of peace signed at St. Stefauo as clashing with buth hor and European interests. Count Andrassy also informed General Ignatietl" of Austria's interest, with exactuuss, but General Ignatietl', being without tlie powor to conclude any arrangement whatever, could only accept the declaration ad referendum. A spocial to the Paris Patrie from Vienna says that a rumour is current thore that the immediate mobilisation of four hundred ' thousand men on the Bosnian frontiers has bqen ordered. The Temps' Vienna despatch reports that, in consequence of a demonstration i 1 the Hungarian Diet on Sunday, whan an illusion to an understanding with Eugland was much cheered, M. Tisga, chief of the Hungarian Ministry, has been summoned to Vienna. Paris papers publish a telegram from Athens, stating that a rumour is current there that Eugland has asked permission to encamp an expeditionary corps on Greek territory. A Constantinople despatch says: The Turks have occupied Buyukdere. The evacuation of the Quadrilateral by the Turks is deferred for the present. The Grand Duke Nicholas to-day preside-! over a Military Council at St. Stefano. He will visit the Sultan again shortly. A Belgrade despatch says: It is stated that the immediate remobilisatbn of the whole of the Servian forces has been ordered in consequence of the report undo by the Committee of the Austrian General Staff that the Treaty of St. Steiano would compel Austria to extend her military power over Servia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Albania. An Athene despatch says : A Turkish foroe, estimated at 10,000, has stormed the position on Mount Pelion and captured Maerimitza. The losses ou both sidos were heavy. A special to the Standard, dated Constantinople, Friday, Btates that if the English fleet is not withdrawn the Russians will occupy Constantinople, with the approval of the Sultan. The same correspondent understands that Layard, in aeoor lance w. hj i istni • tlons of the British Government, bos asked the Porte what its attitude would be in the event of an Anglo-Russian war. Safvet Pasha replied that he was personally inclined to neutrality, but would submit the matter to a Council. The Standard's correspondent at Coustantinople, telegraphing on Sunday, says: I hear from the very best authority that the Sultan told the Grand Duke Nichols* that he would not fight against England Russians will ocoupy Bujukdere on Monday. The English have landed a large quantity of war material on the Island of Tencdos. The Times has the following from Paris: A Belgrade telegram states that Servia will join Russia in the event of an

An;;l.i Russian war. A Bucharest correspondent of the Times reports that English merchant ves•els at Qalatz, hare been ordered by their owners to sail immediately, even without cargo. General Zimmerman's oorps has been ordered to Moldavia immediately. Tho Times' spocial from Borlin states that Russia has informed Austria that she would observe a friondly neutrality if Austria seised tho Western proviuces

if Turkey. Austria is not likely to acj cent the offer. The Telegraph's correspondent says he I has the following on the highest official I authority : Germany has approved the refusal of Prince Charles of Roumelia to I surrender Bessarabia unless invited to do so by the Powers. A despatch to the Daily News from St. Petersburg, says : Despite the genera) excitement, a few men in high position advocate a tinal attempt at conciliation by the simultaneous withdrawal of the British fleet and the Russian army from the neighbourhood of Constantinople, pending arbitration by a neutral BOverei 'u. April 1. Specials say that the Czar has ordered 500 additional Krupp guns. j There has been an unimportant scrim- ; inage between English and Russian sail- , ors, at St. Stefano.

The Russians are fortifying Chatja, and erecting entrenchments at all stratogetical points. The Egyptian contingent from Varna has encamped at Unklar .Skolessi, a village of Asia Minor, on the Bosphorus, eight miles north-west of Constantinople. It is believed in military circles that Russia and Turkey have arrived at an understanding It i<< ■>•.:!! hoped that peace will be maintained Recruiting officers lure are experiencing tlio increase of ti-aass. and the men cumin,' in are of a superi >r sort. The decree prohibiting the exportation of horses from Germany, which was to have been cancelled on the Ist of April, remains in force until further notice. A Constantinople despatch says that, in the event of war, it is expected that the Porte will remain passive and endeavour to make its territory respected ; failing in which, the Porte will simply protest to the Powers. Sir Stari'ord Xorthcote, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announce I in the House of Commons, this afternoon, that Lord Salisbury has been appointed Foreign Secretary, .