EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 34, 25 May 1878, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From the latest Colonial Papers.) London, April 5. Russia insists upon regaining Bessarabia, and has notified Prince Charles of Itotimania that if 'he cession of the province in exchange for the Dohrudscha is re-

sisted, it will be annexed forcibly and the Roumanian troops disarmed.

It is semi-officially stated at St Petersburg that England merely proffers objections to the treaty of peace; but if she made distinct proposals they Aight form the basis of a new agreement. April'?.

Prince Charles of Roumania replies to Prince Gortsehakoff that the Roumanian army may be crushed, but never disarmed.

The Russians demand permission to embark at Buyukdere. The Triumph reinforces the liritish Pacific Squadron, and the Penelope the Mediterranean Squadron. The Kaffir news is disquieting. Telegrams from the Continent indicate that there are no signs of Russia yielding to the demands of England. There is increasing irritation in I.' >umania against Russia. Fighting at the Cape has been renewed. The news is described as serious, but details are wanting. The Turkish troops occupy Buyukdere. »

April X. The debates in both Houses on the Royal Message recommending tho calling out of the army Reserves opened to-day. In the House of Lords, the Earl of Beaconsfield in a powerful speech, said that the tremendous changes in the East wero imperilling the interests of the British Empire, whereof Ministers were the trustees. The justice of British demands was admitted by Europe. He concluded withagluwingeulogium onthegreatness of the Empire. In the House of Commons, the speech of Sir Stafford Northcoto (Chancellor oi the Exchequer) was moderate and firm. There is no real opposition, and the Government are sure of majority. It is expected at Berlin that Russia will yield, but that everything depends upon Austria, who, it is believed,adheres to England.

A debate in the Italian Chambers on the European situation was strongly antiRussian.

The Russian Press says that Russian dignity forbidscompliance with England's demands.

Russia seeks to negotiate a loan. April 9. In the House of Lords yesterday, the Earl of Beaeonsh'eld made a powerful speech on the Message from the Queen, recommending the calling out of the Army Reserves. He severely criticised the treaty conditions that Russia still insists on imposing upon Turkey anil Rouinania, and which, he said, were imperilling the liberties of Europe. The prestige of the British Empire was involved, and must be maintained.

The chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Northcote), in the House of Commons, ami the Earl of Beaconsfield, in the House of Lords, moved an address to the Queen, thanking her Majesty for the Messago. In the the House of Lords, the Earl of Beaconsfield said that England's Eastern policy was hased on the treaties of 185G and 1871 and powerfully criticised the treaty of San Stefano, which, was negotiated secretly, and every article of which deviated from the treaties of 1856 and 1871, and subordinated European interests generally to those of Russia. In fact the British Empire itself was imperilled, inasmuch as England's highway to Asia was in danger of being closed. It had therefore been resolved to take the precaution of calling out the reserves, which would furnish 70,000 men. But if England engaged in a great war the forces would be largely increased.

Lord Granville declined to enter into the debate, and said that he left the Government to act upon its own responsibility. Lord Derby deprecated England'sgoing to war. The House of Lords agreed tn tho resolution without a division ; and the House of Commons approved of an adjournment of the debate ou the same subject. In the House of Commons tho Address in reply to the Queen's Message recommending tho calling out of the reserves was carried, on division by 319 to 64. The Russian reply to the circular of the Marquis of Salisbury 2a regarded us conciliatory. April. 10 It is believed that European Powers will negotiate amicably. Prince Gortschakoff s reply to England has been received. The language is moderate, and denies that Russia issccking ascendancy in Bulgaria. Tho reply also states that the indemnity is less than the Hussian losses, and that existing treaties are actually dormant. Prinoe Gortschakoff inquires as to England's countcr-propusals, with a view to u definite peace. A rumor has been received from the Cape of Good Hope that it, is feared a whole regiment has been lost, but it lacks confirmation. The niilitun authorities, however, are uneaßy. Tho Oxford crew aro the favorites for tho University Boat Race.

Prince Uortschakoff, in roply to the Marquis of Salisbury, suggests that England should formula ( practical proposals, which might afford material on whioh to baso an agreement The Russians have abandoned thoir intention of embarking at Buyukdoro. Tho Russian military authorities doelare that the troops shall remain at San BUfuo while [lie British ironclad squadron remains in the Sea of Marmoru.

April 11 The Earl of Beaconfield's speech iu the House of Lords on Monday last, when moving the Address to the Queen thanking her for the message, recommending the calling-out of the reserves, is regarded here with considerable disfavor. Regarding a Eurojieau Congress Prince Qortsehakon says, in his reply to the Marquis of Salisbury's circular despatch, that he can only repeat previous statements, and must leave to the Powers the liberty of appreciation of Russia's action iu regard to the I 'ongress. Russian troojis aro approaching noar Bucharest. Prince GortschakofFs noto has arrived. He leaves the Congress question open, and reiterates that each Power has full liberty of appreciation and action, and claims the same for Russia. Great uneasiness exists in Roumania in regard to the concentration of Russian troops, chiefly artillery, in stragetic positions between Giurgevoand Bucharest. It is thought these movements foreshadow the fulfilments of Russia's threat to disarm the Roumanian army. tieorge Augustus Selwyn, D.1)., Bishop of Lichfield, and formerly Bishop of NewZealand, died to-day. Madame Rachel, convicted of fraud, was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

April 12. An active exchange of diplomatic communications is taking place between the European Powers. Germany is energetically urging England and Russia to make mutual concessions. The Porte has sent the European Powers a note signifying its full acceptance of the Russo-Turkish Treaty of San Stefano. The murder of Lcitrim near Milford, Donegal, was debated in both Houses tonight. A disorderly scene occurred in the House of Commons, in which soveral Irish members were concerned. Reporters were excluded for three hours, owing to tho aspersions cast upon his Lordship's private character. Germany is attempting mediation between England and Russia through the Ministers accredited to Berlin. April 13. The University Boat Race took place to-day. Oxford won easily, by eight lengths. Tweed, one of the principals in the Tammany Ring frauds, is dead. Vienna, April 13. The Austro-llungarian Ambassador at Constantinople is negotiating with the Porte for an eventual occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austro-Hun-gary. Bucharest, April 13. The appeal of the Roumanian Government to Austria and Germany, against Russia's demand for the retrocession of Bessarabia (Roumania) has met with a rebuff.