1 APRIL 1876, Page 1

The Andrassy Note appears as yet to have been rather

a futile diplomatic effort. The Insurgents in the II erzegov ina have absolutely refused to yield, telling the Austrian Governor of Dalmatia, General Rodich, that the Turkish promises were worthless, and consenting with difficulty to an armistice for ten days required by Mukhtar Pasha, who has been unable to revictual Niesics. They are further encouraged in their resistance by the demoralisation of the Turkish troops, who fight very badly ; by the outrages of the Mussulmans, who, it is asserted, impale returning refugees ; by the warlike tone of the Servian Parliament, which has decreed a forced loan of £500,000; and by the language of part of the Russian Press, which affirms that Austria is "Turkophile," and that if the South Slavoniana are ready to emancipate themselves, Russia will not prevent them. The diplomatic " tension " between Austria and Russia, alluded to elsewhere, also strengthens their hands, as they cannot be seriously coerced while the two Powers are at variance. Altogether, they intend to go on, and Ilukhtar Pasha must defeat them, if he can, by force of arms.