EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 24, 16 March 1878, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(Foin the latest Colonial Papers.) London, February 4. The debate in tlio Houso of Commons on the war credit continues. Air. Gladstone suggested that instead of proposing a vote of credit an address should he voted, assuring the Queen of the united support of the nation for the maintenance of British interests. Mr. Gathorne Hardy insisted on the vote being granted. The debate was again adjourned. In consequence of Russia's acceptance of Austria's proposal to hold a European Conference, Austria has invited the signatory powers to the Treaty of Puris to attend a Conference at Vienna. February (i. Russia refuses to agree to Austria's proposal that the European Conference should be held at Vienna, but desires that it should take place at some town iu a minor State.

The Gi'eek army has been ordered to stop its advance in Thessaly, the European powers having promised to protect the northern Greek provinces. The Greek troops captured Dhomoko, a large town in Thessaly, before their advance was stopped. Most of the powers have accepted the proposal to hold a European Conference at Vienna. Russia claims the cession of Roumanian Bessarabia. Houmania refflses to consent. The question of the war indemnity to be paid by Turkey is still not arranged. A new Turkish Ministry has been formed. According to reports generally current here, the British Government were informed last night that the Russian troops have entered Stamboul. February 7. The proceedings in Parliament to-night excited considerable interest. Outside the houses there was an immense concourse, and Ministers met with a most enthusiastic reception. Mr. W. E. Forster ha 3 withdrawn his amendment in opposition to the special vote of six millions asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. His Holiness Pope Pius IX. died at 3 o'clock to-day. February 8. A monster open-air Conservative demonstration has been held. A tumultuous mob afterwards proceeded to the house of Mr. Gladstone and to the office of tho " Daily News," and smashed the windows. The vote of credit has been earned in the House of Commons by 20.) against 96. Many of tho Liberal members abstained from voting. February 10. A conclave has assembled at Rome, at which thero are seventy cardinals present. The election of an Italian to the Papacy is regarded as certain. The Austrian press regard the situation as critical.

Tha Russian reply to Austria olijccts to the discussion of certain points in the peaoe preamble, and also to the limitiirin ■ p MM:'; I dire Wd all foreign [gß*l Ins :n in r army II OUtS •'• ' •• 'i from Berlin tuyt that Prince the Kusaiun I haaceUor, n.n notified that. oonxmiucnt ipon England sending bar fleet to

Constantinople to protect the Christiana the Russians will occupy il from the laud , side with the same ohject. j At the approaching conference to be j held by the European Powers on the j Eastern Question, tha main points England will insist on are a free I passage of the Dardanelles, complete access to the Black Sea, and a full security of communication with her possessions in India through Egypt. The Earl of Donoughmore has been appointed Under Secretary for the Colonies, in the room of Mr. James Lowther, resigned. The British troops have defeated the Kaffirs, inflicting upon them heavy loss. February 12. The Pope has left two wills. The first demotes 3,500,000 francs annually to his sufMsor, for the expenses of .tho Papacy. Inljhe second he leaves a legacy of 300,000 francs to the poor of Rome. ] February I+. t In the House of Lords, Earl Derby | confirmed the statement of the arrival of ] tho British squadron at Stamboul. He i also informed the House that he had | notified to Prince Gortschakoff that this step on the part of Great Britain would . not justify the occupation' of Constant!- i nople by Russian troops. i Anti-Russian feeling is increasing in j Roumania, and every able-bodied man is , preparing to mobilize. j Numerous foreign deputations arc t arriving at Rome to Ih> present at the 1 funeral of the late Pope. | February 15. i Requiem services wore held in England t and Ireland, in commemoration of the 1 death of the late Pope Pius IX. The " Daily Telegraph" announces 1 that the British squadron passed through ; the Dardanelles un Wednesday afternoon, ( their destination being Prince's Island. I The Porte has protested. A portion of the squadron remains at Gallipoli. 1 Five Austrian war-ships have arrived in the Levant. ; The Prince of Wales has started for Berlin to attend the marriage of Princess Charlotte, eldest daughter of the Crown Prince, to the Grand Duke Hereditary of Meinengen ; and Princess Elizabeth, second daughter of Prince Frederick Charles, to the Grand Duke Hereditary of Oldenburg. Mr. Lowther, late Under-Secretary for tho Colonies, has been appointed Secretary for Ireland. It is reported that Christians have been murdered at Crete, and that the Greeks are intensely indignant. Lord Derby, in replying to Prince Goi*schakoffs telegram, has protested ag.iinstejhjyjccupation of Constantinople by Russian troops. The British ironclad squadron has entered the Sea of Marmora. Sir Stafford Northoote, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to a question in Parliament, stated that the Porte refuses to allow British troops to be landed at Constantinople, but that the British squadron had nevertheless proceeded unopposed, and he believed that the squadron was now at Constantinople. Sir Stafford Northoote further stated that to the objection raised by England that Russian occupation of Constantinople would not be justified, Prince Gortschnkoffhas replied that tho occupation would be of a pacific character. The relations between Austria and Russia arc extremely critical. February 10. Earl Derby has had an interview with Count Schouvaloff, the Russian Ambassador, at London, to whom he expressed the hope that no Russian troops were moving towards Gallipoli, whereby communication with the British fleet at Constantinople might be threatened. Earl Derby said that the result of such a movement would be most serious, and he must decline tho responsibility of tho consequences.