THE EUROPEAN DIFFICULTY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4879, 10 November 1876, Page 3

THE EUROPEAN DIFFICULTY.

The following telegrams from Californian papers to band by the s.s. City of Mew York will be read with interest as being more extended, and in many instances furnishing further intelligence than that al ready telefrapbed from Auckland or those received y submarine cable : LONDON, October!.—The Thereapia correspondent of The Times in a letter dated Sept. 26th, says:— The Porte grounds the response to the demands of the Powers on its alleged inability to curb the passions of the mob. Its ultimatum is a threat of massacre - of Christiana. The Turkish Ministers allege that they are constantly receiving anonymous letters, and placards are posted at every corner of Stamboid, threatening popular vengeance on the Government if they accept conditions with the dignity of the Empire, r ' Shrewdmen are inclined to believe that the.-e menaces are prearranged by tbe Government, but many European residents, and even some diplomatists, especially Elliott, the British Ambassador, are disturbed.—The panic in Peru is almost as general as in May last at the time of the Softa movement.— Russia has declared that she will do her utmost to prevent Servia continuing the war, if Austria and England will induce Turkey to grant an informal armistice. Belgrade, October 4. —Prince Milan hax written to General Sumerokoff, Czar’s aide-de-camp, a letter of apology exculpating himself in the matter of the Royal proclamation. It is reported that England has suggested to Turkey to grant another armistice for three weeks, and that Turkey is disposed to assent. .Berlin, October 4. —The Turkish Cabinet are understood to’ -have declared in regard to the programme submitted to them by the Powers, that they cannot be expected to endorse the programme concerning which such differences exist among the Powers themselves.

. Bismarck, who intended to remain at Varsein until November, is shortly expected at Berlin. Austria ha(; not definitely refused the Russian proposals, but has asked time ft r a reply. Meanwhile, Austria has communicated a proposal to the other Powers. Madrid, October 4.—lt is stated that all differences between Spain and the United States have been arranged, and that friendly feeling now prevails between the two Governments. Athens, October 4.—The President of the Council of Ministers, replying to a deputation from the meeting held October 2, at which the intolerable condition of the Greek Provinces of Turkey was discussed, urges a continuance of neutrality. Vienna, October 2.—A correspondent of The Times says :—An answer, drawn up by Count Andrassy, to the Russian' letter, was submitted to the Emperor of Austria bn Sunday for his sanction. Andrassy had already communicated his views on the question to Francis Joseph, who had approved them. The letter therefore will undbnbtedlyreceive the Imperial sanction, and will be ready for the Prussian Envoy to take with him when he leaves on the Isth instant. The Russian letter is a preliminary introduction to positive proposals. These proposals culminate in a declaration that the application and enforcement of reforms proposed by the Powers, cannot be entrusted to Turkey, therefore the Powers are invited to come to an understanding about guarantees to be demanded to secure the. application of reforms promised. The precedent of the action of the Powers in 1860, in the case of Syria, which was successful, is recommended. This question of guarantees is not new, having been often discussed in the past years, but now that the Powers must give a decision on the sub- . ject, it is undoubtedly the weightiest that has become before them. Russia keeps nominally to Englond’s proposal, but by this pro-’ poses to get a step beyond. A great step it is, involving, as it does, the taking out of the Porte’s hands the future organization of Bosnia Herzgoyina and Bulgaria, and providing for the occupation of those provinces, although regarding the latter provision, the Syrian precedent hardly applies. The Times in a leader says Russia cannot too emphatically be warned that in proposing the occupation of Bulgaria the Czar has misread the minds of Europe. The Times, understands that it wasn't proposed that Russian and Austrian fleets should watch the Bosphorus, but the fleets of England and France. There is no need for such a proposal, as the English fleet is watching the Bosphorus now and intends to remain there, until the storm clouds blow away from the most coveted naval station in the world. The scheme of Russian troops marching to Bulgaria is a masterpiece of boldness and audacity. Bulgaria is the kej of Turkey. Should the Government of the Czar insist on the proposition it will lay itself open to the darkest suspicion. Every country in Europe would say that its ardent citawipioasiiip of the Christian subjects of the Port# was » cover for designs of conquest, and (Jre-irais of Panslavism would spread general ■The TUesJ Berlin correspondent gives sub:«tautiotly the same account of the Czar's letter to -the Ewpwor of Austria as that given to the 3Pftr;is obi'ifespondwit, published this morning. IJe also says the Czar proposes that Servia .EhaJS rstriu her present mdependence. There is a pretty general con viction that Russia does aot with to go to war, A«*trf»’» answer will probably refer the question of military occupation to the joint decision of tire guaranteeing powers. The Czarh letter and the acts of the Russian diplomatists leave bo doubt m to the Idnd of Independence they wish accorded to the semi-Christian provinces. These provinces are to be like- Servia and Romnania—all but independent, under a Christian Oovernmant, supported by Christian soldiers, having no connection with the Porte, except financially. London, Octobee 2.—A Paris correspondent of the Times, commenting on the Czar’s letter, says ;—All one ought, to see in it is a kind of moral pressure which Russia is trying to exert. The universal wish and necessity for peace are so evident, that Russia rightly thinks the Powers, to avoid the consequence of an occupation, will impose conditions on Turkey that they would not hare Imposed a fortnight London, October 2.—A special despatch ' from Berlin to the Timet says that a considerable portion of the Russian army fa said to bo ready for Immediate concentration. The cavalry and field artillery are now on A war footing, and the infantry are ready to march. The Timai corroupondeat at Turkish howlquarters says : Thursday's battle, both as regards losses and numbers engaged, was decidedly the greatest of the whole war, In the front, towards the Moravia, the Servian attack was merely directed against a Turkish bridge. The main attack was against the Turkish left wing, under Lafarz and All Pasha, in order to cut off the Turkish' retreat to Nisch. The Servian battalions also crossed Moravia at Draoheyoc and advanced by way of Jeseca against the Turkish right. This double flanking movement completely

failed, and the Servians by noon were driven back at all points with great -loss. They sub; sequently renewed the attack against the Turkish left three times, but'were on'every occasion repulsed with great loss. The Turks having kept on the defensive, their loss was only 350. The Russian officers had to drive the Servian soldiers to attack at the sword’s point. The Porte has decided to hold Roumania responsible for permitting the passage 1 through her territory of Russian volunteers. The Roumanian Premier intends shortly to proceed to the Russian pourt. The Porte has informed its representatives abroad that the Turks, because of the incessant attacks of the Servians, will resume the offensive. New York, October 3.—A correspondent at Constantinople telegraphs that the situation there is really critical. From the incendiary articles in the public prints he thinks it urgent that tbe American fleet be sent to the Bosphoroua to protect the lives and property of Americans. , Paris, October 3. —It is stated that the Porte’s reply to the protest of the powers offers suspension of hostilities, but not armistice. The Porte does not grant the autonomy demanded for certain provinces, but promises reforms throughout the Empire,- which will render autonomy unnecessary. St. Petersburg, October 3. —lt is officially confirmed that the Servian Government will only yield to foreign military intervention, and will not entertain peace conditions unless they are first submitted to Servia. Belgrade, October 3.—The Servian War Minister has ordered the purchase of 25,000 Chassepot rifles. Bucharest, Octobers.—lt is rumored that a brother of Harry Abbott, the Gorman Consul at Salouica, assassinated last May, has been massacred together with his family near Salouica. Constantinople, October 3.—The plan of the reforms which the Porte communicated to the Ambassadors here yesterday, comprises the creation of a National Council of 120 members. London, October 3.—The Vienna correspond nt of The Times says:— The Czar’s letter to Emperor Francis Joseph contains no positive proposal of any action. It lays great stress on friendly relations between the f ’zar and Francis Joseph, and on the necessity of, m intaining them, and tbe desire is expressed to come to an understanding. Within the last few days, however, communications have passed between the great Powers which seems to indicate that the letter was a preliminary introduction to positive proposals, as reported last night. Constantinople, October 3. — The Porte yesterday communicated to the Ambassadors of the Powers a plan of reform applicable to the whole Empire, including the removal of all disabilities from Christians. The plan is drawn up to imply that local autonomy for Bosnia, Bulgaria, and Herzegovina would be useless, although it does not formally refuse autonomy. The plan of reform comprises the creation of a National Council of 12fl members. Paris, October 3. —The Temps publishes a communication from the Russian Embassy in this city, in whi h it is stated that tbe Czar is still in favor of peace. If Russia should eventually intervene, it would only be with the entire agreement of the Powers, and that intervention in any case would be preceded by a conference. London, October 4—6 am. — The Times' special from Vienna states that the reply of Francis Joseph to the letter of the Czar was handed yesterday , to General Suwaikoff, who departed from Livadia. The same despatch says:—The Porte’s reply to the Powers is very grave, for it reopens the whole question, and strengthens the opinion of those who have maintained that mere persuasion was useless. A telegram from Belgrade says :—Russia has ordered the railways leading to Turkey and Roumania to place sixteen trains daily at her disposal, and a request to tbe same effect has been made to the Roumanian railways. The Vienna dispatch to the Daily News reports that at Cubao in Roumania the troops refused to allow five hundred Russian horsemen to cross the frontier. The Pesthloyd, Count Andrassy’s organ, published a warlike article yesterday, showing the necessity for Austria’s defending herself against Russian designs. The Times’dispatch from Tcherapin says; Four murders have been committed at Salonica. The Primate of one of the villages and bis wife have been killed. Many other murders are reported. The Times' Vienna despatch states that there are now 7,000 Russian volunteers in Servia, including 18(>0 officers, and 2000 more volunteers are enlisted; The dispatch to the Daily News from Bucharest, reports that the peasants in the neighborhood of Batak are starving. The Turkish Government demands payment of tithes on the harvest, and forbids any thrashing until the tithes are paid.