LATE CABLE NEWS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1998, 20 July 1880, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Br Telegraph.) [Per s.s. Ringarooma at the Bluff. J LONDON, July 7. Turkey is making great efforts to resist intervention on the part of the Great Powers to enforce the cession of territory to Greece. In order to increase her available forces Ministers have ordered the release of all prisoners under sentence and confinement on condition of their accepting service in the army, which is to be stationed in Epirus and Thessaly. The Greek Ministers are rapidly mobilising their army and are concentrating a strong force upon the frontiers. The Albanians hare exhibited a determination to repel any attempt to take possession of any portion of their territory, and it is believed that hostilities are imminent. The Montenegrin army, under the sanction of the European Powers, has been ordered to advance to take forcible possession of the ceded territory. By latest accounts the troops were rapidly approaching Xusi, where Hodo Bey is in command of the Albanian army. Arrangements have been made for a meeting of the Emperor William of Germany and the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria. The date of the meeting has not been fixed, but it is understood that it will take place shortly. The Royal steam yacht Livadia, constructed by Messrs Elder, of Glasgow, for the Emperor of Russia, was to-day launched from the dockyard on the Clyde in the presence of the Grand Duka Alexis, third son of the Emperor, and Admiral Popoff, of the Russian navy. July 8. In the House of Commons to-day a question was addressed to the Premier asking what measures Government proposed to taka to enforce the provisions of the Berlin treaty, and whether England was acting in concert with the other powers. Mr Gladstone refused to state the nature of the coercive measures which Government might consider necessary to apply to Turkey, on the ground that the conclusions arrived at by the Conference of representative powers recently held at Berlin had not yet been formally presented to tho Porte. He said that England was endeavoring to act in unity with the other signatories of tho treaty of Berlin, pressing on the Porte compliance with its provisions. July 9. Hopes are entertained of a pacific settlement of the Montenegrin difficulty. The Porte exhibits signs of yielding to the pressure of the powers upon this point. Tho Marquis of Lansdowne, Under Secretary for India, has resigned his position on the ground of a disagreement with the Irish, policy propounded by the Government. His Excellency Chung How, the special Ambassador sent by China to St. Petersburg to negotiate for the retrocession of the province of Kuldja, and who on his return to Pekin was cast into prison and sentenced to death in consequence of official disapproval of the terms to which he had had agreed, has been reprieved. Chung How was sentenced to decapitation in March last, and since that time has been in prison. The tribes to the north of Oabul have been troublesome of late. They have attacked small parties and convoys and, though beaten in every encounter, have rendered the roads dangerous. Encouraged by the expected approach of Abdul Rahman Khan, their dieaffection has increased, and according to tho latest intelligence they had been concentrating their forces at Ohasikar. The information received respecting tho attitude of the warlike tribe of the Ghilgais is unsatisfactory. Although several chiefs have acknowledged their allegiance to tho British, the great majority of the tribe remain hostile. The “ Pall Mail Gazette ” expresses the opinion that it is almost impossible that reform can be effected in Victoria without

serious complications, which may possibly involve the interference of England. _ The “Daily Nows ” states that it is reported that Turkey is willing to cede the Island of Crete to Greece, instead of the territory on the mainland apportioned by the Berlin Conference. There is a prospect of the Afghan difficulty proving insoluble. Several London papers advocate the annexation by England of Oabul. The Press, commenting upon the evasive answer given by Mr Gladstone in the House of Commons in reference to the of the Berlin Conference express the opinion that England, by the coercive action adopted in dealing with Turkey, has virtually drifted away from European concert. The refusal of the Premier to give any specific information upon the point is attributed to dread on his part of startling the country by disclosing how far this has been the case. In the West of Ireland the combined effects of distress and political agitation have produced a wide spread spirit of disaffection. The police authorities recently received information that a largo quantity of arms and ammunition had been secreted in a house at Longbrea, a town near Galway. They proceeded thither, and succeeded in discovering a large number of rifles and arms of various descriptions, which they seized. July 10. The “ Times,” in a leading article to-day, expresses the opinion that Mr Service’s Reform scheme would have obviated past dead looks, and that the Bill meets the objections to the existing constitution. It also says that although Sir J. O’Bhanassy and some corner members of the Assembly combined to reject the Bill, they would equally oppose any scheme brought forward by the Opposition, The duty of the electors is to choose between Mr Service’s reasonable, well considered measure and Mr Berry’s extravagant scheme. “The Times” hints that the Crown might object to sanction the introduction of the plebiscite required by a few thousand casual colonial electors. Commenting further upon the political situation in Victoria, “ The Times ” strongly condemns the paralysing influence exerted by a small self-seeking faction.

General Skobeloff has reached Artohman, and established magazines at Bann preparatory to commencing a campaign southwards in the autumn. The Russian forces are small, and there has been, no fighting yet between Russia and China. The Chinese have arrested a Russian traveller, M. Pregedalsky, who was proceeding to join the expedition against China. Much excitement has been caused in turf circles in consequence of the statement that the Duke of Westminster’s colt Bend Or, which won the Derby this year, was changed as a yearling with Tadcaster, belonging to the same owner. It seems that the “ Stud Book” has been badly kept, and the Jockey Club declines to decide on the question of the Derby stakes, which are claimed by Mr Brewer, owner of Robert the Devil, which ran second. It is expected that Tattersall’s will decide that bets on the Derby are not affected by this dispute. Trade is rallying, and especially in the heavy branches, such as iron. In the House of Commons this evening Mr Gladstone stated that it was the of the Government to abandon for this session the proposal to introduce a Bill to assimilate the franchise of Ireland with that in England. Sir Stafford Northoote, leader of the Opposition, expressed concurrence with the arrangement. Representations have been made by the Ambassadors of the Great Powers to the Ministry at Athens, advising them to refrain from any overt acta of hostility towards Tnrkey, or any attempts to assume possession of the territory. The claims of Greece are recognised by the Powers, and it is recommended that Greece should maintain an attitude of expectancy, awaiting the development of events in the East. In order to bring about an amicable settlement of the difficulty with Montenegro a proposition was made that a pecuniary indemnity be paid in lieu of the extension of territory awarded by the Treaty of Berlin. The proposal, upon being submitted to Prince Nikta, was indignantly refused. July 13. The necessary capital for the construction of the ship canal through the Isthmus of Panama, according to the scheme of Baron Da Lesseps, has been subscribed in Prance. The American portion of the capital has also been subscribed. De Lesseps estimates that the canal will bo completed in six years. A census will lie taken of Great Britain on the night of April 3rd, 1881. There will he no “ religions column ” in the forms supplied for the purpose. The “ Daily News ” states that owing to the probable defective harvest. Russia is considering the question of prohibiting the export of wheat.