LATEST CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5274, 18 February 1878, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS.

LATEST SPECIAL. THE SITUATION VERY CRITICAL. London (Undated). A special of the 14 th to the Daily Telegraph announces that the British fleet entered tire Dardanelles on the afternoon of the 13th. Destination Prince’s Island. The Porte protested. In the'House of Lords Earl Derby confirmed the announcement that the fleet had arrived at Starabiml. Ear! Derby has notified Gortchakoff that the British fleet’s going to Constantinople would not justify Russian occupation. Another portion of the English fleet is at Gallipoli. Five Austrian war-ships have arrived in the Levant. Lowther has been appointed Secretary for Ireland. The Prince of Wales has started for Berlin to attend a Royal marriage. The Turkish Parliament has been dissolved. (REUTER'S SPECIAL TO PRESS AGEHCYJ London, February 15th. Earl Derby has replied to Gortchakoff protesting against the occupation of Constantinople by Russian troops. The British squadron lias entered the Sea of Marmora. 'l'he Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question, stated in Parliament that the Porte had refused to allow troops to he landed at Constantinople. The British fleet nevertheless proceeded unopposed. England considers that Russian occupation is not justified. Gortchakoff has replied that the Russian occupation is of a pacific character. The relations between Austria and Russia are extremely critical. London, February 14. The anti-Russiau feeling in Roumania is increasing, every able-bodied man preparing to mobilise. Reported massacre of Christiana in Bessarabia and Crete. Greeks intensely 7 indignant. Numerous foreign deputations are arriving at Home for the Pope’s funeral. AGENT-GENERAL’S TELEGRAM. London, February 14. The Russians are close to Constantinople, and threaten occupation if the English fleet enters the .Dardanelles. The British fleet entered yesterday, d ispite the protest of Turkey, which is now more Russian than English. , Russia, among: other terms of peace, demands a portion of Bessarabia, which may involve complications with Austria and Rouruauia. General excitement here. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Melbourne, Saturday. The Ballarat Juvenile Exhibition was opened by the Governor yesterday. It was a great success. The people’s petition to the Queen, protesting against the alleged illegal acts of the Ministry, is being unanimously signed, and will be forwarded Home on Thursday.