EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 20, 16 February 1878, Page 3

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(Fom the latest Colonial Papers.) LONDOX, January .">.

Her Majesty the Queen has created n. new order, styled the Order of the Imperial Crown of India, the recipients of which are to he lailies. The order has "been conferred upon ten members of the Royal family, eight Indian ladies, and eighteen English ladies. Frequent meetings have been held in England in favor of the maintance of British neutrality in regard to the

General Gourko is successfully advancing on Sophia, and the Turks are Jailing back on Ikhtman, Cardinal Manning has proposed that the Conclave of Cardinals for the election of the Pope's successor should be held at Malta. The Italian Cardinals object to the proposal. Erzeroum is completely invested by Russians. It has been decided not to bombard the town,, owing to a majority of the population being Christians, but to reduce it by famine.

Numerous speeches on the subject of the war have been made by members of Parliament at public meetings. There is great agitation against England's taking part in the war. Newspapers opposed to the Government praise, while several Ministerial organs attempt to east discredit upon, the speech mado by Lord Carnarvon, in which he referred to the intentions of England. It is believed that the British Cabinet is divided in opinion on the question of w hat course England should pursue; (be Premier, Earl Beaconsfield, Lord Cairns, and Mr. Gathorne Hardy forming the war section, and Lords Salisbury, Carnarvon, Derby, and Mr. Cross being in favor of non-intervention. The remaining members of the Cabinet aro divided in opinion. Several Cabinet councils have been held during the week. Austria declines to support the action of England. On an address moved in the Turkish Parliament, an amendment was adopted requiring an explanation of the military policy of the Government. A war vote five millions sterling has been demanded. January 6. Tho Right Hon. W. E. Forster, in an important speech, at Bradford, yesterday, said that ho approved of tho oariy meeting of Parliament, in order that the recent rumors might be settled. Ho praised the action of the Government as described by_ Earl Carnarvon, and thdught the existing' treaties could not fe altered ★Hhout the assent of tho otheV European Powers. He also 'expressed an opinion that all European Government* would concur in preventing Russia taking possession of Stumboul. If a difference of opinion '■xintoj lufcwoan Earl BeaconsfielJ.. and some appeal to US nation.' Krt objected to the 'disestablishment of the ('htuxb' of England 'lt is reportod that if Earl Beaoonsfiold find* Parliament unwilling to support his

Foreign policy, he will dissolve the house and appeal to the country. A \ ienna telegram states that Russia requires, as one condition of an armistice, that Bulgaria should be evacuated by the Turks. This is not likely to be assented to.

The " Observer " aaserta that England has just sent an assurance to France that no action is at present intended in regard to Egypt. The Russians have occupied Sophia. The Marquis do la Marmora, the wellknown Italian General is dead.

Before replying to the Sultan of Turkey the British Government will endeavor to ascertain the peace conditions of Russia.

The " Standard" states that the British Uovemnieut will not tolerate the complete overthrow of Turkey, nor a seperate treaty of peace between Turkey and Russia.

January 7. General Radotzsky has crossed through tha Schipka Pass unopposed. A junction is probable between the army of the Czarewitch and the forces under General Zimmerman.

General Launville's corps in the Balkans has had 810 men frost-bitten, of whom fiftv-three died.

An engagement has taken place between 0000 Turks and Russians at llidama, near Erzeroum, in which the Russians were defeated.

Germany and Austria objeet to the opening of the Hellespont to Russian war vessels only. » Mr. Layard has officially informed the Porte that Russia requires the terms of an armistice to be arranged between the opposing commanders. Turkey has applied through England for an armistice.

It is officially stated that Russia will reject the armistice unless a basis for peace couditions be previously proposed and accepted. The British. Ambassador at Constantinople has informed the Grand Vizier that Russia positively refuses to entertain peace proposals until the conditions of an armistice are concluded.

The Viceroy has unveiled at Calcutta a statue of the Queen as Empress of India.

The conduct of Scindia, one of the Mahratta chiefs, is regarded as disaffected. Victor Emanuel is seriously ill. A Berlin telegram states that through the friendly action of Germany, Russia has given a'guarantee of non-interference with" English interets, and England consents to direct negotiations between Russia and Turkey.