Additional Mail Items.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2849, 2 April 1878, Page 3

Additional Mail Items.

Pursuant to orders, Admiral Hornby's fleet left Besika Bay on the 20th January, and entered the Dardanelles, proceeding to Chanak, where a telegram was received directing itsjspturn to Besika Bay again. The Sultan had granted a firman for its passage. It was not known, however, whether resistance would be made, and all was ready on board to force the passage, guns being shotted and run out, gatling guns hoisted into the tops, and upper yards sent down. The orders to the Admiral were not to proceed further than Stamboul, but to keep the waterway open thence to the entrance of the Dardanelles.

The news is confirmed that Osman Pasha will be tried by Court Martial by the Russians.

In London enthusiastic meetings in favor of the Government were held at the Guild Hall, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, and at the Canon street Hotel, the Stock and Corn Exchange, at Lloyd's, Exeter Hall, Trafalgar - square, and in all the suburbs.

Meetings of 20,000 persons were held at Sheffield, Leeds, and Manchester j and numerous gatherings which took place at nearly all the principal towns pronounced in favor of the Government and the vote for six millions. On several occasions the Times and Daily News were publicly burnt. Many of the meetings convened by the Opposition supporters were turned into enthusiastic demonstrations in favor of the Government.

For several days Lord Beaconsfield was received with a tremendous ovation, on reaching the Parliament Houses, and the excitement was greater than any since the Crimean war.

Three [Russian war ships passed down the Channel during a fog on the 3rd.

At the date of the armistice 7000 Turkish troops under Mukhtar, Mehemct AH, and Baker Poslms. were available for the defence of the TdscK-nmlge lines. Hobart Pasha snprrinienckd the naval defeuce.

The Malta and Gibraltar garrison mini bcr 11,457 men. Immense quaniiiii-s of supplies and war materials are being '•ent to both fortresses.

A London publisher has received a large order for works on India, to be sent to the Grand Dulcc Nichols?, r.t Orcnberg. A Russian administration is being orRfinised in Armenia, which the "people bulieve to be permanently intended. An attempt to assassinate General TrepofF, prefect at Stl Petersburg, was niaclc on the sth by a woman, who wounded him with two shots from a revolver whilst presenting a petition. He was at once visited by the Czar and General Gortschakoff. No reason for the action has been assigned. On the same day other females, armed with revolvers, wore arrested: one in the direction of the interior, and another at the Governor General's, at Moscow. The Russian press regards the Conference wish disfavour, believing that attempts will be made to reduce Eussian gains to a minimum. Several E»dical members have expressed a distrust and dislike of Russia. A schism also existed relative to the withdrawal of Mr Foster's amendment and question opposing the money vote. Lord Hartington, Mr John Bright and other leading Liberals abstained from voting. Mr Gladstone, Mr Fawcett and others voted with the noes. The Porte made no active opposition to the passage of the fleet through the Pardanelles, and the Sultan contented himself with a protest, thus relieving himself of responsibility 'in the transaction. The delay in the entering of the fleet seems to have arisen in consequence of a dispute as to the continued validity of a firman previously granted to the English Government. The latter maintained that the firman was still good, and the Porte declined to grant a new one, and generally hesitated. The relations between England and Russia are extremely strained. The advance of Russians upon Constantinople and Gallipoli is believed to be imminent, if not already commenced. . , Roumania strongly opposes Rusua s claim for retrocession of the Roumanian portion of Bessarabia, upon which, however, the Czar personally insists, in order to wipe out the humiliation of the Crimean war in Russia. Roumania is estranged in consequence. Servia is also dissatisfied in the attitude of Russia respecting her claim for territorial compensation. An agitation is proceeding among a certain section of the Conservative party against what they consider as Lord Derby's half-hearted policy, and a few days ago rumours of his lordship's resignation were rife, which appear, however, unfounded, the despatch of the fleet to Constantinople being regarded as a proof that the Foreign Secretary must now be in harmony with his chief.