EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 50, 14 September 1878, Page 2

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

(From the latest Colonial Papers.) London, August 0. The dissatisfaction felt by Nervia :it having by the decree of the Congress to give up a portion of the territory acquired by her, during the late war, has culminated in a hostile demonstration against Austiia, brought about by thu occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by the latter power. The .Servians have tired upon the Austrian forces on the frontier lino in the B&nat, and it is expected that they will aid Bosnia and Herzegovina in resisting the occupation of those provinces by Austria. Serious opposition to the Austrian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is anticipated. iScrvia ha» shown her Sclav sympathies by .1 commencement of hostilities, and it is*probable that Montenegro will follow her example. The danger li''s not only in the antagonistic action of these two provinces, but in the fact that a Sclav revolt extending to her own possessions) Croatia, Dalmatia, and Se.ivonia, would embarrass Austiia, aud would make a continuous military occupation of lmsnia and Herzegovina extremely difficult. Instead of procuring the tranquility of the Sclav states, Austria's action may perhaps act as a signal for a general revolt. August 7. Sir Stafford Nwthootc, the Chancellor of tie' Exchequer, made his financial statement in the House of Commons today, lie announces 11 deficit of £4,250, 000. fn tle> motion of Sir Stafford Xoitlicnto the House agreed to the immediate issue of iL'.OOO.OOOin Exchequer bilk •» August B.' The House of Commons lias voted £3:1,000 for the eitpansM attending the occupation of the Island of Cyprus. Tinvote i« to \*> under the control of sha foreign < ltli"e. The Hon. Sir .lames l(,,beit Dnimmond. [{.('.B.. and Sir Henry 1». Wolff, KM '.Alt .'„

liu\>'h-n appointed British members of a Commission fur the orgajusatjiM of 10.i-.te: n ItuUlOolitk

Major (/Gorman apologised to the Speaker to-day for his disrespectful conduct during yesterday's sitting.

The negotiations between Germany and the Vatican have been attended with a favourable issue.

The Select t 'oinmittee appointed by the House of Commons to decide whether Sir Itryeu < J'l.ogbleii, the Victorian Attorneylienors], has not, by his long-continued absence, and his acceptance ot an ollieeof profit under the Crown, forfeited his title to his seal as representative of the constituency of Clare, have resolved upon an adjournment till next session. This step wits decided upon to allow of further communication with Sir Bryan O'Loghlon, as tin- flare constituency having long been thoroughly attached to the family, desire uo change in their representation. Tin- news that an attempt was made to assassinate Prince Bismarck created intense excitement throughout Germany. Inquiry proved it to be u newspaper canard.

. Replying to a memorial from the Colonial Institute, the Government have intimated that they intend to consult Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of Fiji, on his arrival in Kngland relative to New Guinea, anil in the meantime have instructed the Commodore of the Australian station to despatch a war ship to Port Moresby to watch British interests.

To-night a Court circular was published, giving the text of the telegrams received by Wife Government from meetings held at Sydney, Melbourne. Bnllarat, Newcastle', Hobart Town, and Brisbane, congratulating the Karl of Beaconsfield and the .Marquis of Salisbury on the result of their policy at the Congress. Prince Louis Napoleon is engaged to marry Princess Thyra, of Denmark. August 10. In deference to the strong expression of public .opinion in Australia, the Imperial Government have determined to annex the island of New Guinea. The Government will await the arrival of Sir Arthur Gordon in England before they decide whether it shall be under his jurisdiction as High Commissioner in the South Pacific, or whether it shall he attached to one of the Australian Governments.

The Emperor of Russia has met the Emperor of Austria at Toeplitz, in l'oheinia. The result of the meeting has been to strengthen friendly relations between Russia and Austria. A tornado has visited Walingford, Connecticut. Thirty persons were killed, and many houses demolished.

Ihe Daily News reports serious sicka— -', - —r » rv, - 1...4 no deaths nave been reported. The armed portion of the population at Batoum is preparing to resist a Russian occupation. 20,000 volunteers are already at the frontier.

Martial law has been proclaimed in Bosnia.

The occupation of Batoum by the Russians is causing great excitement amongst the inhabitants of the town and the district. They fear that their religion will be destroyed, and that their homes and customs will not be respected by the conquerors. The population are organising a desperate resistance to the Russian occupation, and have again appealed to England to help them in their distressThe opposition that Austria has met with in the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has caused her to prooeed rapidly with a fresh mobilisation of her army. The Transylvanian corps have been strongly reinforced, and are massed along the Servian line of frontier, and the Esseg Sclavonian division has been raised to its full strength. In Dalmatia the whole of tho Laudwehr are under arms, and a cavalry brigade and an artillery regiment have been raised for immediate service. The troops available for service in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be thus reinforced by from 40,000 to 50,000 men.

In consequence of the hostile attitude of the inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina, heavy reinforcements havearrived. The Austrian army of occupation amounts to 141,000. A large train of seventeen ambulance hospitals follows the army.

A Civil Commission accompanies the troops to both Bosnia and Herzegovina, for tho purpose of organising the administration of tho country. In consequence of the violation of the frontier, near Liono, by Turkish troops, the frontieo town of Bilibrig has been occupied by tho Dalmatian Landwchr. There are 40.000 Turkish troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 20,000 between Novi Bazar and Pristine

(.'mint Ziohy, the Austro-Hungaiion ambassador to Constantinople, attended an extraordinary Cabinet Council called by the Saltan to discuss the Austrian occupation 61 Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Porto insists that Austria should definitely name the period during which ilio military occupatfon is to continue. The Aiutrinua have commenced the construction of a railway which will run from Hungary toSalonica, It will pan between Semo and Montenegro on the Ktrip ol land reserved from cither of these states by the Berlin Congregj. It it tincommencement of this (treat work that hn* tnoefwod the population as being evidence of intend*! permanent occupation. Severe fighting Ikm taken place wherever Austrian troops have appeared. The

mule populaUMl having taken to th« maintains, their subjugation will lie ditficult. Murtia! law has teen proclaimed, ami proclamations have 1 een issued that anyo..c taken in ar us \vi 1 b i shot. Augus) 11. A sanguinary engagement occurred on the 7th, between the Austrian troops and (JOO insurgents. The former were victorious. The Austrian? have oaptured a battalion of Turkish Redifs, The l'orte agrees to grant Crete as a concession in the interests of peace, but otherwise refuses t.j accede to the demands of Greece. The Russians have occupied Varna. Sufvet Pasha has been rivaled a Knight Grand Commander of the. Star of India. The English. French, and Austrian railway schemes, including the Euphrates Valley, aro under the consideration of the Porte. It is believed that the insurgents of Bosnia number 100,000. There has been serious rioting at Odessa, and also at the Caucasus. The annexation agitation has recommenced in Italy,

The refusal of the Right Hon. \V. E. Forster, member for Bradford to accept the decision of the Liberal committe at Bradford at the next election is much commented on, as affecting the attempted caucus system in Kngland. The Canadian papers received by the last mail exhibit enthusiasm in reference to the announcement that the Jlanruis of Lome is to succeed Lord Dufi'erin a* Governor-General of the Dominion, and are loud in praise of a policy which brings about a closer union ol the colonies with the Empire.

August 12. Affairs on the continent arc in a disturbed state. Socialists and Republican partisans are active and fomenting risings in Russia, Germany, Spain, and Italy, In Odessa there has been a not. the inhabitants making a great demonstration against Imperial rule. The aid of the military was called in to suppress the insurrectionary movement when a serious collision occurred. Many soldiers were killed. This movement meets unexpectedly with response in Spain, where republican risings to overthrow the monarchial institution in the country. Active measures have been taken to suppress the rising.

The Government in return, it isthought, for the assistance given by the Irish members in the recent debate, in the House of Commons, on the Anglo-Turk-ish Agreement, have resolved to give a merciful consideration to the Fenians now in English prisons. They have pardoned been released from Chatham prison. Extensive fires are raging in all parts of Siberia, and have greatly alarmed the Government, as it is clear they are more the result of design than of accident. Siberia now needs the presence of reinforcements, as it is feared the political and war prisoners are ready for revolt. A discussion arose in Parliament today as to when the Russian occupation of Turkey would terminate. Reference was particularly made to Roumelia, and the neighbourhood of Constantinople where the Russian troops were still massed, and in readiness for any movement. It was intimated that the British fleet would remain in the Bosphorous till the Russians withdrew, which was expected to occur immediately. The Austrians have entered Travink, after some sharp righting. August 13. Field-Marshal Baron Joseph Philippovio Phillippoberg, late commander of the military forces in Bohemia, has been entrusted with the chief command of the Austro-llungarian army of occupation. Count Zichy, the Austrian Ambassador at Constantinople, has ruplied to the Porto that Austria declines to enter into anv distinct engagement respecting the period of the occupation or the number of troops she may employ. Austria has demanded the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Porte has refused to comply with this request, though strongly urged to do so by Count Zichy. A heavy engagement is imminent in the neighbourhood of Mostar. Austrian reinforcements are advancing simultaneously from lhilmatia towards Mostar and Trebinje, and from the Croa-tian-Sclavonian military frontier towards Scrajewo. A largo body of Austrian troops is concentrated at Novi, on the Novi-Bangaluka railway line, and also at Brod, on the military road skirting tho Bosna river. A desperate engagement took place at Scrajewo, between the insurrectionists ami tho advanced Austrian cavalry. Fifteen hundred were killed, tho Austrian cavalry falling back to the railway line. The railway line is being rapidly repaired and extended. Baggage and provisions will be forwarded to the army by rail from Aus trio.

In view of Austria's occupation of the Herzegovina, an apitation, countenanced by Count Corti and Signor Crispi, has been commenced in Italy for the notification of frontier. Albania has been offered to Italy, and refused. A demand is Bffide for Trieite and the latrion 1 ellIniula.

The Khedive of Egypt has offered to give I'+'ypt 11 (ir'at Uritnn in return for n Kiiitnble civil lis'. The offer bus been declined.

I Tho Turkish oflkMa ■.<>< wubli , I pre%rv« order stCancaattd Itethinyr.v , The Muhoniimdnii population main; i threatening attitude. A French v ! vowel, ;yid tli" British gun!., at t'u |i liive entered tho harbour of (' a. The British ironclad Defence has : to Smhi Bay, at the request of ll' - i Pasha, The Mahomimdaiis uf li myinno demand the .dismissal of • <■ Governor, and threaten the L'hrisiia; : Two Turkish men-of-war, with rein! >i • uii'iit have arrived to prevent n Manor! medan outbreak. 1' is rumoured tli..! the Porto has ceded < 'r.'te to Greece, b..t refuses all her other demand*). After the naval review at Spithead, t! • Lively,despatch boa!, came, into collish .with the Queens yacht atCowes. Owin.: to boistcron weather the intended cvoh.iutions of tho fleet had to he aboadonc Several boats were capsized and a wates man drowned. 200 yachts were jr«sen . Rioting lias occurred at Ottawa, Cunadn. Tho Roman Catholics, after an Orange procession, insulted the Orangemen, and the latter retaliated, using pistols. The house of a Roman Catholiu priest was attacked, and an hotel demolished. Several injured. Many arrests. The Rev. George Gilfillan of Dundee is dead. August 11. After five days' continuous fighting, the Austrians have been compelled to fall back on Giaeamitza. There is sickness amongst the troops of ( ypnis ; but it is not so great as to give any special cause for anxiety. August 1.".. The powerful resistance offered evidently with the connivance of the Portin Bosna and Herzegovina to tho Austrian occupation, as sanctioned by the Plenipotentiaries at the Berlin Congress, has drawn upon Turkey a strong remonstrance from Germany. Prince Bismarck has sent a note to the Porte demanding compliance with the Berlin Treaty res peeting the evacuation of the fortified positions and the sanctioning of the Austrian occupation of Bosnia and Her. • . vina. Bismarck's ultimatum is that i: necessary, the decrees of the < 'ongiess will be carried out bv force of anus. Turkey isyielding: The insurrection in Bosnia against the Austrian occupation is unchecked. The Austrian troops have evacuated their principal positions, being unable to hold them against the attacks of the insurgents. In retreating from Herzegovina. the Austrians destroyed Trebigiie, the second city of importance in that country. The artillery firn resulted in a great sacrifice of human life. It has been officially stated at St Petersburg that ordure were given for the (!• to Central Asia when the relations !■••- Jtween England and Russia wen; it, a critical condition. Subsequently, lio-a ever, the orders were countermanded. A severe epidemic of yellow fever hj; s broken out at New Orleans. Grenada, and Memphis townships on the Missi. - sipi. August IG. Austrian military preparations are continued with unabated vigour, owing to the gigantic character of the insurrec-, tion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The military railroad to Xo\i, Bangulka is rapidly progressing, the military engineers having taken the work in hand. The Servian Ministers and the heads of the various Government departments have been summoned to Ivraguicfatz to consider the position of Servia as a!. 4 'eeted by the Bosnian occupation. An explanation was demanded by the Austrian representative of the intentions of Silvia in moblishing her army. Servia replied that military preparations were required for the defence of territory already acquired by Servia under the decree of the Berlin I 'ongrcss. It is confidently stated that both Servia and Montenegro are supplying the Bosnians with arms and ammunition, and tha Bosnia agd Herzegovina will he joined to thoso principalities in resistance to the Austrian occupation. Tho Austrians attempted to take Perajevo with tho view of forming there a military encampment a baso forfurther operations. The undertaking was ei - trusted to four cavalry brigades and a brigade of infantry, the remainder of the Austrian troops following some leagues in the rear. The insurgents wire, here posted strongly, and a sanguinary engagement took place, in which the Austrian-; were completely routed, and pursued with great slaughter to the last haltingstation, which was protected by slight fortifications and blocs-houses.

Tho Imperial Parliament was pro- .- gued to-diiy. Tho Qticeu's Speech, v, hich was read by Commission, referred to t!,e recent Congress at Berlin, stating that its results wen; satisfactory, and that tho peace wits likely to bo durable. Turkish independence had been secured agaiutst aggression,

Our special correspondent tolegraphs: —I have just been shown the following despatch on the best mode 6f dofence for the Australian colonies, presented by a high military nntbority to the Home Government, and a copy of which will forwarded to esoh of the Australian (i i YenmieiiK The despatch is os follows: -•-" No Australian system of defence by land con be complete without the establishment at sbnifl ooutr.d inland *[■'>;■. with rail communication to each cftpftal, ■if an nssno] In which all munitiMs/of war except, perhsps gnns—coivl.t bo manufactured and st"i»d. n as to render

indeMQml id wpptiw fi. it. 1 •:■ ' I'.iiiaiii, should .1 nmani.. Iti■■-i ij (, ow injj to a combination ofpuwcu lnM naval supremacy was thou seriously threatened ami attacked. Then would !»• tin' ttnio of greatest dangw to Au-tra-I i." August 17. At the prorogation of Parliament, the speech from the Throne piaiscd the patriotic offers of military aid from the i-oloni. i. Affairs in Africa cause an auietv, but serious troubles have ended. The Tiqyal assent has beeu given to the Fiji Marriage Bill. hi the House of Commons, yestenlav, ' be Hon. !■'. A. Stanley (Secretary of War •ferring to tbc Daily News' reports that ■ elh'eienoy of the troops at Cyprus v.a> ■ m/i1 by fover, tliat one-fourth were ■:•) that two-thirds of the medical down with sickness, and that :'id occurred, stated thai the • "its from Cyprus wore favourable, and that be was unable to explain the diti'erencc between the two statemi ills. A Servian loan of 24,000,000 francs bas 1 n negotiated with Paris bankers. I.- Moniteur announces a changer of the Egyptian Ministry, taking the administration of the country entirely out of the bauds of the Khedive. Ibicdel.who attempted to assassinate tie- Kmpeiw of Germany, has been be-' beaded. August 17. Three Austrian icgim< nts were ordered 1.. advance into l!esliia, but refused to dn sn. whereupon tho mutinous soldiers, to the extent of one in-very ten, were taken from the ranks. Still the force refused in advance, and then three of the ringleaders were executed, and the remainder sent back a< prisoners. August IS. The chief of the Russian police was assassinated this afternoon at St. Petersburg, being daggered in the heart. The motive is political. No arrests have been made It is stated that the Bosnians are receiving help from Servia in their resistance to the Austrian*. Tin ips are timl!ig ;i.i: r v.av from 1.-i ! ; "iiad ■:'■ ■ Ser. ■t\i capital, In Kaeza, on the I Minn, from which point they can rapidly ell'ect a I e •;• I: with the Bosnian lore' < at Zour\u :.:ia; s liuvu »a:u ! a rompMo August 20. There is immense excitement nl rVth respecting the losses of the Hungarian ti.;.],s. The powers have each sent an identillussian papers urge the occupation of Thessaly by neutral troops. Replying to the forte's statement thai it was unable to stop the insurrection, Austria has announced that further bloodshed will lead to the annexation of liosnia ami Herzegovina by right, of eonDepression exists at Vienna. The ■i 'iieulties in regard to Bosnia and Her- \ iua are advanced as the cause. i int Sehoiival"H"s brother succeeds ■ lieueial Morcntzow as chief of lolice at St. Petersburg. r>w corvette Emerald has ilymouth For Australia. ( 'onstantinon.i:. August 17. Tbiitv Turkish battalions have joined the liosiiiaiu. August is. The llussian troops embark to-morrow on their return home. The withdrawal of the British Tronelad Squadron follows. The evacuation of Batoum takes [.lace in u fortnight.