NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1200, 8 January 1878, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

NOTES OF THE MONTH. [From the “Home News,” November 15.] There has been a Palace intrigue at Constantinople, which may be destined to produce dangerous and possibly disastrous results in the Turkish capital. Mahmoud Pasha, the head of the war party, has been conspired against by the friends of Nuri Pasha, leader of the peace-party, and brother-in-law of the late Sultan Murad. Much uneasiness was caused by the allegation that this plot was discovered to have attained the dimensions of a plot against the reigning Sultan. Presently it was further announced that in this plot Midhat Pasha and his adherents were implicated, and that nothing less was aimed at than the deposition of Abdul Hamid. The explanation seems that the partisans of Nuri and the enemies of Mahmoud made some use of whatever influence ex-Sultan Murad may have (o secure the dismissal of Mahmoud from the office he holds. Another explanation is that the familiar hand of Russia is again at work stirring up home troubles. Public opinion in Constantinople is painfully excited, and it is by no means impossible that the despatch of the troops which usually guard the capital to the seat of war, may be seized as the opportunity of a popular rising.

The war is once more actively exercising its influence upon home politics. The Cabinet is reminded by its members and supporters in the Press that a decisive policy must be resolved upon without delay ; that it will do no longer to trust to events and to permit Turkey indefinitely to fight the battles of England; and that Russia must be given to understand, in the event of her winning further victories in Armenia and Bulgaria, that there is a point beyond which Great Britain will not permit her to go. There are rumours that the Czar has received an intimation from very high quarters indeed in England, that Her Majesty’s Government will not permit the murderous struggle to be extended over next spring. It is in view of the declaration of a policy by the Government, which may commit England to a contingent war with Russia, that a committee of Russophils, including the usual names familiar in such a context—Mr E. A. Freeman, Canon Liddon, Mr Fronde, Mr Browning—have drawn up an appeal to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Indian Secretary not to use the influence of this country for the continued exclusion of Russian ships of war from the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. The grounds on which the plea is based are the obligations imposed on Russia of protecting Russian pilgrims to Jerusalem from the danger of Turkish massacres; the alleged fact that the existingr estrictions are not an effectual guarantee against the seizure of Constantinople by Russia in war, and are only “ adapted to cause her much annoyance in time of peace the arguments that the presence of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean would mean the addition of one fleet more to those already there; that no British interest is served by perpetuating the estrangement between Russia and England; and that a “ sense of our great responsibilities to our Indian people, who must mechanically accept our decision for good or for evil, will restrain any act or word which may lead us one foot’s breadth nearer to that frightful event of unnecessary war.”

The elections to the Councils-General on Sunday, November 4th, certainly increased slightly the Republican strength, and the Senate, as it at present exists, appears to have made up its mind not to disregard the new manifestation of the national will which has been offered by France. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies has met-—November 7th. The Cabinet of the Due De Broglie remains in office, Marshal MacMahon having requested its members to withdraw their resignations. The attempt to form a Cabinet of “ business men,” trustworthy obscurities and nonentities, chosen from the Right Centre, uuder M. Pouyer Quertier, has fallen through. A great debate, which may decisively affect the fortunes and the existence of the French Government, has commenced in the Chamber of Deputies. The Republican majority have adopted a change in their tactics, and have closed with their adversaries. On November 12th, M. Grevy, the President of the Chamber, formally announced that 'the House was duly constituted. Immediately afterwards the important business of the sitting came on. M. Leblond brought forward a proposal for modifying the standing orders, with a view to prevent a repetition of the disturbances which interfered with the proceedings at Versailles last session, just as the Irish Obstructives blocked the way in our House of Commons at Westminster, The Bonapartists opposed the motion, but it was carried by 303 votes to 29. But the real subject of the serious struggle which is now going on in the Deputies, is a motion brought forward by M. Albert Grevy —M. Grevy’s brother —accusing the Government of systematic violation of law during the recent elections, and proposing a committee of thirty members to investigate oil the acts of alleged unconstitutional and illegal pressure and influence at the elections. This body is to be invested with the fullest powers, will have a right to call for the papers relating to every election, and to prepare such “ cornminatory measures ”as it may deem fit, M. Albert Grevy’s speech was of the most violent character. He stigmatised the Ministers as criminals, charged them with treating Franco as a conquered province, and declared that the hour had now come when they must be brought to account. Marshal MacMahon is more resolved than ever not to resign. Tbe Orleanists apparently are still hesitating as to whether they shall join the Republicans, and there is certainly some danger lest the latter shall be tempted to cast aside the prudence and reserve which have hitherto controlled them, and should thus, alarming the country by their violence, play into the hands of the Bonapartists saviours of France. In the United Kingdom, the last few weeks have been remarkable for the concurrent utterances of eminent statesmen, Whig and Tory, Liberal and Conservative, on the political questions of the present and the party programme of the future. Lord Hartington has been speaking in Scotland, Mr Gladstone has been eloquent at Dublin, and Mr Bright and Mr Chamberlain have been communicating at Rochdale their views on Liberalism aud the Liberal propaganda. _ On Friday, November 9th, Her Majesty’s Ministers dined with the new Lord Mayor at the Guildhall, and the Prime Minister, if he was not very explicit, made a speech which at least left no doubt as to his personal feelings on the merits of the war.