CABLE MESSAGES.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 309, 3 April 1878, Page 2

CABLE MESSAGES.

[Reutier’s Telegram to Press Agency.]

London

March 28

A special Cabinet meeting has been held to consider the' Russian reply td British demands. Sir Stafford Northcote Stated in the Commons that Russia’s reply, received yesterday, adhered substantially to her previous declaration that the signatory powers may raise such objections as they think fit, but Russia reserved full liberty either to accept or decline discussion; This, added Northcote, virtually closed all further diplomatic correspondence on the subject; Lord Beacb’nsfield. explained that Lord Derby’s resignation Was consequent on the warlike attitude it had become necessary to assume; He also expressed a hope, now that all probability of the assembling of the Congress had ceased; and the balance of power in the Mediterranean been disturbed, that the advice tendered by the Government to tlie Queen, to call out all available reserves, be thoroughly approved.

March 31. All the troopships are being prepared for sea.

The First Lord of the Treasury, in reply to a question, said the Queen’s message relative to calling out the reserves, would be presented on the Ist April, and come on for discussion on the Ith. •

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that till the time arrived to take decided steps, the British Government would consult Parliament as to the course to be taken under the present aspect of affairs. North cote denied that the British Government hindered the arrangements for the meeting of Congress. It desired only the treaty of peace to form the basis of discussion. Salisbury has been appointed Secretary of State for the Foreign Department. Later; The announcement that Lord Salisbury had been appointed Foreign Secretary is premature. Ignatieff has returned to St. Potersburgh. .. VIENNA. March SI. It is eemi-officially stated that Andrassy rejects the terms of the RussoTurkish peace proposal as clashing with European and Austro-Hungarian interests. The Turkish artillery hate re'O'cciipied Bodjukdere. WASHINGTON. March 28; The proposed Tariff Bill abolishes the classification of wools, and makes the duty of all classes 35 per cent, of present average rate of 50 per, cent,' ad valorem. The Protectionists in the House of Eepresentatives oppose the Bill. ST. PETERSBURGH. March 31. The journal Be St. Petersburgh states that the balance of the Mediterranean is only threatened by the presence of the British, ironclad sqttadron in the Sea of Marmora.- It looks upon the calling out of the reserves as a fresh provocatiori to Russia,- who' will be prepared to forcibly defend the fruits of the war. SYDNEY.April 2.The revenue of the colony last quarter was £1,208,097, being a decrease of £22,361, mainly due to the reduction, in land sales,- which had decreased £281,647. '

[Special to Press Agency.] LONDON. March 31; Ignatieffs mission to Vienna is considered a failure. He rettihis to St; Petersburg!!; . , Count Andfassy hopes that Russia; failing to isolate England, will now assent to a Congress; Austria demands a commercial and -military: convention of the Western provinces of Turkey, with reduced limits for Bulgaria. , Hungary strongly favours English alliance. [Special to the Argm.~\ LONDON. March 29. , The Marcjnis of Salisbury succeeds Lord Derby as Foreign Secretary. The Government policy is not aggressive,, but to prepare for war and hope for peace; The Opposition ate expected to resist the calling out of the reserves, but the ascendancy of the Premier in the Cabinet will cause a check.

General Ignatieff; who is at Vienna; aiid Count Andrassy are attempting td reconcile England and Russia: