SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 598, 2 April 1878, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

.Lon.don. February 15. In reference to tie; 'British fleet proceeding to the 'Dardanelles, a telegram has been received from the .Russian Government stating that Gnllipoli would not bo occupied unless a foreign army was concentrated there, but it was thought probable that the landing of Suleiman's troops at Gallipoli would" be made a pretext for seizing the place by a miq> c(V main. The second order for the Admiral to proceed to Constantinople was mado on the Bth inst., when he was directed to take the Alexandra, Temeraire, Swiftsure, Achilles, Ruby, and the •*a!ainais, and order the other vessels to l'l'inain at Eesika Bay.

The Russians cut the land telegraph lines on the northern shores of- the Sea of Marmora on the 31st January, and aince that time the most direct communication between London and Constantinople has been by way of Alexandria and Bombay. On it being announced that the British fleet had again been diroctcd to pass through the Dardanelles, Prince Gortsehakoff intimated that the Russian troops would occupy the City of Stamboul from the land side The Porte, in consequence, protested aeainst our fleet going in, but the British Government telegraphed that the fleet would enter whether they received the permission of the Porte or not. Accordingly Admiral Hornby passed the.Straits on Wednesday, the 13th, and took four of his vessels up to Prince Island, about 10 miles from Stamboul, on the Asia Minor Coast of the f.ca of Marmora. Twq oth,er vessels wore left off G-allipoli. The Italian and French Governments applied- for a firman for some of their war ships, which were to go to Constantinople in consequence of their ambassadors notifying that disturbances were not unlikely. .' The orders were afterwards countermanded. Austria, however, is sending five ironclads. In the meantime, Pari Perbv has informed Prince GortschakofF that the British Government does not consider the. despatch of the fleet any excuse' for the entry of Russian troops. ' ... Typhus fever has been making frightful ravaces. On the 30th January there were of Turkish and Russian soldiers ill of typhus fever at Kars, 5000; at Kanakili, 7000; and at Erzeroum, 12,000. During the war the Russians captured 120,000 Turks, and over 1000 cannon. The news is confirmed that Osnian Pasha will be tried by Court Martial by the Russians. The Turks are alleged to have buried their prisoners alive at Plevna. Three hundred thousand fugitives are stated to be in Constantinople, and every effort is being made to assist them. On the 3rd inst. the Czar, after inspecting the victorious regiments; congratulated the officers upon %\\n 'satisfactory condition of the army, but said, "We are still far from the end, and must continue to hold ourselve* prepared until we obtain a desirable peace worthy of Russia."

An attempt to assassinate General Trepoff, Prefect of St. Petersburgh, was made on the sth by a woman, who wounded him with two shots from a revolver, whilst presenting a petition. He was at once visited by the Czar and GortsehakofF. No reason for her action has been assigned. On the same day other females, armed with revolvers, were arrested, one at the direction of the Minister for the Interior, and others at the instigation of the Governor-General at Moscow. The Russian Press regards the Conference with disfavor, believing that attempts will be made to reduce Russia's gains to a minimam. Large Russian forces still continue to arrive in Roumania, but they are concentrated on the south, and do not cross the Danube in view of Austrian eventualities. On the evening of the 4th ult., when Gladstone resumed the debate on the rate of credit, the Prince of Wales, the Crown Priuce of Austria, and many other distinguished persons, were present, and the Princess of Wales was in the ladies' gallery. Tn his speech Mr. Gladstone allowed that Russia must be curbed, and opposed the cession of the mouth of the Danube. The Queen is at Osborne, and in good health. She is about to proceed to Windsor. The Crown Prince of Austria is visiting Ireland. Her Majesty has subscribed LIOO to the Turkish Compassionate Fund; Earl Pembroke, L 100 0; and many others large amounts, The office of Grand Vizier was abolished ! and a new Ministry formed on the 4th, Ahmed Vessik beiuir appointed President of the Council, and Minister of the Interior. On the following day, the Parliament attacked the Ministry for making the change without submitting the alteration to them. Yesterday, it was dissolved. Very conflicting rumors have been circulated respecting the attitude of Austria, but it is generally understood that, though she acquiesced in the Russian objection to the Conference being l held at Vienna, she is resolved to protect her own interests by the strongest possible measuvos, and will not allow Germany to influence her. The French Republican ard Constitutional papers have warmly praised the resolute attitude of the English (Government, and severely condemned the action of the Opposition, particularly of Gladstone, They, as well as the English Press, notice that each step of the Government has led either to the withdrawal of some claim put forward by Russia, or making known a claimwhich she was concealing by arrangement with Turkey.