NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 179, 5 April 1878, Page 3

NEWS BY THE SUEZ MAIL.

[By Telegraph.]

[PER PRESS 'AGENCY.]

London, Eebruary 15,

In reference to the British fleet proceeding to the Dardanelles, atelegramhad been received from the Russian Government that Gallipoli was not to be occupied unless a Turkish army was concentrated there, and it was thought not improbable that the landing of Sulieman's troops at Gallipoli would be made by the Russians a pretext for seizing the place by a coup de main. The second order for the Admiral to proceed to Constantinople waa given on the Bth February, when he was directed to take the Alexandra, Temeraire, Swiftshure, Achilles, Ruby, and Salami's, the rest of the vessels to remain at Besika Bay.

The Russians cut the land telegraph lines on the northern shores of the Sea of Marmora on the 31st January, and since then the most direct communication between London and Constantinople has been by way of Alexandria and Bombay. On its being announced that the fleet had again been directed to pass the Dardanelles, Gortschakoff intimated that the Russian troops would occupy the city from the land side. The Porte in consequence protested against our going in but the Government telegraphed that the fleet would enter whether permitted or not. Accordingly Admiral -Hornby passed the Straits on Wednesday, the 13th, and took four of his vessels up to Prince Islands, about ten miles from Stamboul, on the Aeia-Minor coast, off the Sea of Marmora, two other vessels were left off Gallipoli. The Italian and French Governments had applied for a firman for some of their war ships to go up, in consequence of their ambassadors notifying that disturbances were not unlikely, but the applications had been with-drawn. Austria has applied, however, and is sending five ironclads. / In the meantime Lord Derby has informed Gortschakoff that the British Government does not consider the despatch of the fleet any justification for the entry of Russian troops.

Typhus fever has been making frightful ravages. On 30th January there were of Turkish and Russian soldiers ill of typhus at Kars 5000, at Kanahokati 7000, and at Erzeroum 12,000.

During the war the Russians captured 120,000 Turks and over 1000 cannon.

The News is confirmed that Osman Pasha will be tried by court martial by the. Russians.

The Turks are alleged to have buried their prisoners alive at Plevna. Three hundred thousand fugitives are stated to be in Constantinople, and every effort is made to assist them.

Her Majesty subscribed £100 to the Turkish Compassionate Fund, Earl Pembroke £1000, and many other larg< amounts.

The office of Grand Vizier was abolished, and a new Ministry formed, on the 4th, Ahemed Vessik being appointed President of the Council and Minister of the Interior. On the following day Parliament attacted , the Ministry for making the change without submitting the alteration to them. Yesterday it was dissolved.

Very conflicting rumors have been circulated respecting the attitude of Austria but it is generally understood that, though she acquiesced in Russian objection to tin Conference being held at Vienna, she in resolved to protect her own interests by the strongest possible measures, and wiiJ not allow Germany to influence her.

The French Republican and Constitutional papers have warmly praised the resolute attitude of the English Government, and severely condemned the action of the Opposition, particularly that of Mr Gladstone. They notice, as well as the English Press, that each step of the Government has led either to the withdrawal of some claim put forward by Russia, or her making known a claim which she was concealing by arrangement with Turkey.

On the 3rd instant the Czar, after inspecting the Viborg Regiment, congratulated the officers upon the satisfactory condition of the army, but said "We are still far from the end and must continue to hold ourselves prepared until we obtain a desirable peace worthy of Russia."

An attempt to assassinate General Trepoff, Prefect of St. Petersburg, was made on the sth by a woman, who wounded him with. two shots from a revolver whilst presenting a petition. He was at once visited by the Czar and Prince Grortechako_:. No reason for the action has been assigned. On the same day other females armed with revolvers were arrested, one at the Direction of the Interior, and the other at the GovernorGenerals at Moscow.

The Russian Press regard the Conference with disfavour, believing that attempts will be made to reduce the Russian gains, to a minimum.

Large Russian forces still continue to arrive in Roumania, but are concentrated on the South, and do not cross the Danube in view of Austrian eventualities.

Cn the evening of the 4th instane, when Mr Gladstone resumed tlie debate on he votf of credit, tho Prince of Wales, the Crown Prince of Austria, and many other distinguished persons were present. The Princess of Wales was in the ladies' gallery. In his speech, Mr Gladstone allowed that Russia must be curbed, and he opposed, the cession of the mouth of the Danube. The Queen is at Osborne in good health. She is about to proceed to Windsor. The Crown Prince of Austria is visiting Ireland.