ENGLISH NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 395, 17 April 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

VERY LATEST UNPUBLISHED

Sax Fbaxcisco, March 18

London, March 17. —The protocols of the proceedings on the Black i^ea question will be laid on the table of the House of Commons to night. They are signed by the plenipotentiaries of seven powers. Their general features are conciliatory in tone on the part of Russia, and show a willingness on the part of Turkey to accept the semi-neutralization of the black Sea, and deference of the Convention to the wishes of either power. The Conference met on the 17th. lord G-ranville was chosen president. Granville regretted the absence of the plenipotentiary from France, and declared that the object of the Conference was to examine the Black Sea question without partisanship, to discuss with perfect liberty the Kussian proposals for the revision of the treaty of Paris.

Baron Brunnow made a statement which contained no truce of imperative tone.

Grorfcschakoff's circular, and Brunnow's speech, was most conciliatory throughout, and was reported in same spirit by Muslims Sacha The Conference then went to work on the declaration to effect that plenipotentiaries reeog.mse;"'it as an essential principle of the right of nations, that no power can shake off engagements of treaty, or modify its stipulations except with the assent of the contracting parties.

On this a friendly understanding was arrived at, and on March 13th the Duke deßroglie gave his adhesion toit. A second meeting took place January 24th, when Brunno'sr more fully stated that changes had taken place since 1856, and urged that ail treaties be judged by the new considerations arising in the interval. He contended that the treaty of Paris reaily perpetrated irritations by wounding iius-da's national sentiments.

The Turkish Ambassador combatted the arguments of the Russian Ambassador, and declared that Turkey was fully satisfied with the treaty, but if other powers thought right to admit the Russian demand on that Government, and would give guarantees equivalent and compatible with the rights and security of the Ottoman Empire, he was authorised to concur with other plenipotentiaries, while recognising the justice of the Turkish objections to adhere to their former expression that Turkish consent must be devoid of equivalents.

At the third sitting February 3rd, on treaty, four articles were proposed by Earl Grauville. The second article gave to Turkoy the power to intro luce ships of war of tho non-riverian powers into the Black t^ea, only if compelled to do so for the security of the Ottoman Kmpire. Musurus Pacha objected to the phraseology " non-riverian," as restrictive to Turkey and offensive to Russia.

A long debate, generally iv opposition, followed, the Representative of the Turkish Government pleading his instructions as very peremptory. At the same meeting, the secondary question of the Danube Commission whs first mooted, and it was agreed to insert the arrangement therein in the principal treaty.

At the fourth meeting. February 7, no instructions had been received by the representatives- and nothing done. At tho fifth meeting, which was held 13th insfc., the Due de Broglie was introduced. Ho declared that the French Government saw no sufficient reason to modify the treaty of Paris, but now willingly accepted the arrangement which had been partially concluded.

The Italian Minister met the objection of the Turkish Minister by proposing a new article, in whifh the words : " Friendly and allied powers should be substituted for non-riverain powers." This amendment was accepted freely by Turkey and the other powers. There were no differences on other circles after their completion. The Turkish and '-'ussian plenipotentiaries to conclude a convention abrogating the stipulations of the treaty of Paris, relative to the number and strength of their respective fleets in the Black Sea.