ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 827, 22 February 1878, Page 3

ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL.

—o—(Fiom the Dunedin Dailies.) London, February 10. At the approaching Conference England will insist upon the free passage of the Dardanelles and complete access to the Black Sea, jvith full security of communication with India through Egypt. The Austrian Press conaideis the position critical. Russia’s reply to Austria objects to discussion on certain points in the peace preamble ; also to the limitations proposed by Austria. Admiral Hornby, with six English men-of-war,, has arrived at Constai tinople. The French, German, Austrian, and Italian squadrons are preparing to join the English squadron. The Russian Press, commenting on this combined action, remarks that Russia advised this course in the Berlin memorandum. A Berlin telegram states that Gortschakoff has notified to the Powers that consequent u ion England sending her fleet to Stamboul to protect Christians, Russia will occupy the shore defences with the same object. There arc general rumours of a close alliance between Turkey and Russia. The Turks have now evacuated all their fortresses. The Porte has directed all foreign officers in its service to resign. The Greek army has reerossed the frontier. Insurgents in Epirus and Thessaly have proclaimed union with Greece. The conclave of Cardinals has assembled, seventy being present. It is regarded as certain tbat an Italian will be elected Pope. The English troops have defeated the Kaffirs, inflicting heavy loss on them. Earl Donoughmore has been appointed Under-Secretary to the Colonies. February 11. The British troops have driven the Kaffirs from Kanskei. Gali.e, February 9. The Siam left 1 here to-day for Australia. She ds one day in"advance of her time. The Assam arrived on the 12th. Wellington. February 12. An Argus special dated London, February 13th, says tho Pope left two wills. The first leaves throe and a half million francs annually to liis successor for tho expenses of the Papacy. The second leaves his nephews legatees for three hundred thousand francs ; the poor of Romo the remainder. The wool ships which arrived in time for the February sales include the Invercauld and Waimate. -r:. - 4 1 n 1 1 i . !. iuc zxppcai v/uurii mw upaeu 1116 cOUviCtion of Bradlaugh and Besant. The Government have purchased two Turkish ironclads detained as contraband in the Thames. London, February 13. Active military and naval preparations are being made. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question, said he hoped to announce on Thursday that the British ironclad squadron had arrived at Constantinople. Several Austrian ironclads are starting for the Levant. The Channel Squadron has been ordered to rendezvous at G'braltcr as a port of call. This evening the Turkish Government notified its protest against tho entry of tho British Squadron into the Dardanelles. The opening of the Colonial wool sales has been postponed until February 26th.

February 14. Tlje anti- Russian war feeling in Ruumaui » ia increasing. Every abje-bodiea man in the Principality is preparing to mobilise. There arc reports o£ massacres of Christians in Bessarabia and Crete. The Greeks are intensely indignant. The Russians are close to Constantinople, and threaten to occupy it if the English fleet enters the Dardanelles. The fleet, under the. command of Admiral Hornby, yesterday entered the Dardanelles, despite the protest of Turkey, which ia now more Russian than English. Russia, among other terms of peace, demands a portion of Bessarabia, which may involve complications with Auttria and Roumania. There is general excitement in Loudon owing to the threatening outlook. The Daily Telegraph announces that the British fleet has passed the Dardanelles on the atternoon of the 13th, the destination being Princes Island. The Porto protested! •’ In the House of Lords, Earl Derby confirmed the arrival of the fleet at Stamboul, and stated that he, hail notified Prince Gortsohakoff that this would not justify the Russian occupation. 1 -''Eebtuary 10,. < A portion of the fleet la at Gallipoli. Five Austrian war ships are in the Levant. Earl Derby replied to Gortsohakoff protesting against the occupation of Constantinople by the Russian troops. The British ironclad squadron has entered the Sea of Marmora. The Chancellor of the-.Exchequer, in reply to a question, state! to Parliament that the Porte refused to allow troops to be landed at Constantinople,. but that the British fleet had nevertheless proceeded ur - opposed, aud that ho believed the British fleet were now at Constantinople. To the objection by England, that the Russian occupation was not. justified, Prince Gortschakoff replied that the Russian occupation of Constantinople was of a pacific character. The relations between Austria and Russia arc extremely critical. .. .. , Mr Lowther has been appointed Secretary for Ireland. The Prince of Wales has started for Berlin to attend the royal marriage.. The Turkish parliament has been dissolved. Rork, February 14. Numerous foreign deputations are arriving at Rome for the purpose of attending, the Pope’s funeral. London, February IG. Earl Derby bad an interview with Count Scouvaioft; and expressed' his hopes that no Russian troops were moving towards Gallipoli, whereby ’ communication with the Briti-h fleet might bo threatened. Earl Derby said the consequence of such a movement would be most-serious, and ho must decline the responsibility of the consequences.