BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 833, 5 April 1878, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

—o—(By Cable.) (From our Dunedin Exchanges.) St. Petersburg#, Jdarch 25. It is reported that the Emperor is inclined to reduce the terms on which he would bo disposed to accept terms of peace, provided Turkey accepts Russia’s proposal to enter into an offensive and defensive alliance with her. It is semi-officially stated hero that the conduct of England in insisting on submission by Russia as to the terms of peace ; s an act of chicanery, done with a view to concealing offensive intentions. Constantinople, March 26. Russian troops are embarking for home. Berlin, March 26. Essential modifications in the German Cabinet are imminent, Count Athol de Atilberg Hermigerhoo, German Ambassador at Vienna, partially replacing Bismarck. Sr. Petersburg, March 27. Ignatieff is going to Vienna. Constantinople, March 27. Grand Duke Nicholas and the Sultan have exchanged visits. In consequence of friendly representations by Russia the Turkish troops have evacuated Bojukdere. The embarkation of homeward-bound Russian Troops has been countermanded. London, March 20. Increased difficulty has beset the proposed Congress, and telegrams from various European capitals express fears that the present situation will issue in war. Russia is indisposed to make further concession* to England. The Grand Duke Nicholas was accompanied by a large staff on his visit to the SuDan. The Grand Duke says the Russian Embassy was cheered in Pera, especially by the Greeks. The training ship Eurydice, running on a emiao to the west of England, capsized in a squall off Dunnose, laic of Wight. Only two are known to have been saved. The Elephant and Castle Theatre was burnt down to-day. A disastrous fire has occurred in Philadelphia. The loss of property wa* iiwnfiiae.

At a six days’ match in the Agricultural Hall O'Leary won the (list prize, walking 020 miles, March 21. Tho war indemnity to be paid by Turkey has boon finally fixed at 3(M,00(1,000 silver roubles. The Emperor of Russia officially declares that this amount will poaiiively not ho reduced. March 20. The Russians wish to embark homewards from Bodjukdero, a town on tho west shore of tho Bosphorous, but the Porte objects. Bucharest, March 19. The Roumanian Government piotests against the conditions of the peace ns far as known ; whilst Servia maintains a passive attitude. March 24 th. England continues arming. The Russians insist on the exclusion from tho Congress of the question of Bessarabia and the cession of Armenia, in respect to both of which an essential modification in the treaty conditions is demanded by England and Austria. March 27th. At Stafford, 30 persons wore killed by a colliery accident. Russia finally refuses the English demands, and the Congress is virtually abandoned. Tho situation is critical, but official circles believe that war may be averted. March 28th. A deadlock has occurred in the negotiations for a European Congress. Bucharest, March 28th. Both Houses of the Roumanian Legislature have unanimously rejected the Russian proposal for an exchange of Bessarabia for the Dobrudschka. St. Petersburg, March 28th. It is semi-officially stated that General Ignatieff goes to Vienna on a diplomatic mission, with a view to inducing Austria to inform the British Government that they must not reckon upon the support of Austria. Washington, March 28th. The proposed Tariff Bill abolishes the classification of wool, and makes the duty on all classes 35 cents in lieu of the present average of 30 ad valorem. The Protectionists in the House of Representatives oppose tho Bill. March 28th. Earl Derby has resigned. He approved of the policy et tho Cabinet regarding the Congress, bat not of calling out the reserves. Earl Beaconsfield defended this step, and said it was intended as a measure necessary for the pe;icoand security of the Empire. A Papal allocution approves of the past Papal policy. London, March 30. The Standard states that Russia has addressed a note to the Porte demanding the withdrawal of the British fleet. England has refused while (he Russians are in the environs of Stamboul. Orders have been received at Portsmouth to have the tr- op-ships there in readiness to embark an army corps in case of emergency. The Grand National Steeplechase, run to-day at Liverpool, was won by Shifnall by two lengths.

March 31. All the troop-ship* are being prepared for sea.

fn the House of Lords, on Friday evening, Earl Beaconsfield, in reply to a question, said that the Queen’s message relative to calling nut the reserves would he presented to Parliament on the Ist of April, and come on for discussion on the 4th.

In the Commons, the Chancellor of tho Exchequer said tho time had arrived for the country to take decided steps, hut the British Government would consult Parliament aa to the course to be taken under the present aspect of affairs. Sir Stafford Northcote denied that the British Government had hindered tho arrangements for the meeting of the proposed European Congress. It desired only that the treaty of peace should form the basis of the Conference’* discussion.

St. Petersburg!!, March SI

The Journal of St. Petersburg states that the balance of power in the Mediterranean is only threatened by the presence of the British ironclad squadron in the Sea of Marmora, and looks upon the calling out of the reserves by England aa a fresh provocation to Russia, who will he prepared to defend the fruits of the late war. London, March 31.

Ignatieff’s mission to Vienna is considered a failure, and he returns to St. Petersburg. Count Andrassy hopes that Russia, failing to isolate England, will now assent to a Congress, otherwise Austria demands a commercial and military convention for the western provinces of Turkey, with reduced limits for Bulgaria. Hungary is strongly in favor of an English alliance. Singapore, April 1.

The announcement that Lord Salisbury has been appointed Secretary of State for the Foreign Department is premature. Ignatieff has returned to St Petersburg. It is semi-ofTiciaily stated that Count Andrassy has dec'arcd that ho will reject the treaty of peace through the clashing of European with Austro-Hungarian interests. The Russian artillery have re-occupied Bojukdere. INTERCOLON IA L. Melbourne, April 1. Mr Fellow* is still in ar critical condition. It is probable that the routes of the Gippsland railway, Oakleigh to Melbourne, will be d«ciilcd to-day. The Government are in consultation with Sir C, Sladcn with a view to the compromise of the. differences between the two Houses on this question.