SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2848, 1 April 1878, Page 2

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

(Pee s.s. Abawata at tub Bluff.)

(.Per Pbess Agency.)

London, February 15. The Russians cut the land telegraph lines on the northern shores of the Sea of Marmora on the 31st January, and since then the most direct communication between London and Constantinople has been by way of Alexandra and Bombay.

On its being announced that the British fleet had again been directed to pass the Dardanelles, Prince Gortschakoff intimated that Russian troops would occupy Constantinople from the land side. The Forte in consequence protested agfdnst our going in, but the Government telegraphed that the fleet would enter whether permitted or not. Accordingly Admirable Hornsby passed the Straits on the 13th, and took four of his vessels to Princess Islands, about ten miles from Stamboul. Two other vessels were left at Gallipoli.

The Italian and French Governments had applied for a firman for some of their war ships also to go up, in consequence of their ambassadors notifying disturbances as probable at Constantinople, but the application was withdrawn.

Austria also applied, and is sending fife ironclads.

Typhus ferer has been making frightful ravagei amongst the troops in Asia Minor. On the 30th of January there were of Turkish and Russian soldiers ill of typhus —at Kars, 5C00; at J&anankali, 7000; at Erzeroum, 12,000.

During the war the [Russians captured 120,000 Turks *nd over 10,000 cannon.

The Turks are alleged to hare buried their prisoners alire at Plevna. 300,000 fugitives are said to be in Constantinople. Every effort is being made to assist them.

The Queen has subscribed one hundred pounds to the * Turkish Compassionate Fund, and the Earl of Pembroke a thousand pounds. Many others large amounts. The office of Grand Vizier has been abolished.

The Turkish Parliament attacked the Ministrj for making such a change, and was dissolved in consequence.

Very conflicting rumors are afloat as to the attitude of Austria, but it is generally understood that though she acquiesced in the Russian objection to the conference being held at Vienna, she is determined to protect her own interests by the strongest possible measure a, and will not allow Germany to influence her: Ihe French press generally have warmly praised the resolute attitude of the English. Government, and severely condemned the action of the Opposition, particularly that of Mr Gladstone. They and the English press notice that each step of the British Government has led to the withdrawal of some claim by Russia, or Russia's making known claims which she was concealing by arrangement with Turkey. .On the 3rd inst, the Czar, after inspecting the victorious regiments, congratulated tljo officers upon the satisfactory terms of the armistice, but said : " We are still far from the end, and must continue to hold ourselves prepared until we obtain peace worthy of Russia." Large Russian forces continue arriving at Roumania.

The Prince of Wales auJ the Crown Prince of Austria were present in t!ie House of Commons when Mr Gladstone resumed the debate on the war credit. Mr Gladstone allowed that Russia must be curbed, and he opposed the cession to her of the mouth of the Danube.

The Queen is ul Gsburue in good health, but about to return to Windsor. The Crown Prince of Austria is ?i«ting Ireland.