NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5584, 17 January 1879, Page 5

NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

[by telegraph.] [TIMES' SPECIAL WIRE.] (Compiled by the Press Association’s San Francisco Correspondent.) BRITISH INDIA. A despatch from Allahabad says : It is reported that Shore AH and his family are fourneying towards Balkh, with the retiring Rufsian Mission. Complete anarchy prevails in the country between Jellalabad and Cabul. A despatch dated Kurum, Dec. 19, says It is reported that Woli Mohammed is near Shuagard, in the Pass, with eleven regiments of infantry and four of [cavalry, from Balkh. He wiU scarcely venture to cress the pass this season. It is reported that the Tyagur Khobs in the Khyber Valley escaped to the mountains, before the arrival of the British. Their towers and dweUings were destroyed. A despatch from Luceta says : The Governor of Oandahur has determined on resistance. Generals Stuart and Biddulph have examined the position. The Ameer’s master of horse, England s greatest enemy, is Ul. e Jambood, Doc. 20. It is again reported that the Ameer has fled, leaving his son Yakoob Khan in power. ’ London, Deo. 20.

A Pari* despatch says: Official confirmation ha* been received of the statement that instructions have been sent to the Eussian mission at Cabul to withdraw. A correspondent with General Brown reports that the British are one day’s march irom Jellalabad. Deo. 21. The Viceroy of India telegraphs that Major Oavagnari confirms the news tnat the Ameer has fled from Cabul to Turkestan. Yakoob Khan was left at Cabul. The Ameer had lost nearly all control, and his soldiers were deserting. LATEST NEWS. London, Deo. 22. The Daily News save: Notwithstanding that the Bank of England has raised the rates of interest virtually to seven per cent, which is the latest figure for advances, and that this „ivos her the gold she needs, she still cannot keep up her reserve to the figures which financial men consider safe. As fast as gold is received and notes issued thereon, according to the terms of the Charter, the latter are drawn out by the County and London joint stock banks and bill brokers, m order to satisfy the demands of customers, and to strengthen themselves.

The result is that a general distrust of all forms of credit other than legal tender notes of tho bank itself has been created. This is causing n universal demand for the circulating notes of tho Bank, and should any further bank failures take place will necessarily be intensified. London, Dec. 20.

Sir T. M'Clurc, Liberal, was elected to the House of Commons for County Londonderry, defeating Mr Alexander, Conservative, by a majority of 611. Makonn, Tibcborg and Co., merchants, of Bradford, have called a meeting of their creditors. Their liabilities arc £8(1,000. Consols, 94 and 3-16ths to 94 3-Sths. Tho employers in tho iron trade in tho North of England claim before tho arbitrators 5 per cent reduction, in consequence of tho depression of business Hie men claim that tho price of labour is lower than it lias been for the lust 20 years. The newspapers continue to publish accounts of the distress throughout the count ry —which tho authorities and private citizens are endeavouring to relievo.

The proposed reduction of 12J per cent in tho wages of tho colliers of South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire affects 100,000 men. A monster mooting will bo held after tho holidays when a scheme for striking en masse will bo discussed. This course is favoured because it is feared that the masters are endeavouring to break down the resistance in detail. Some pits have already received notice of reduction. Constantinople, Dec 20. The British steamer Rinaldo, which was in collision with tho Byzantine, has arrived. The captain reports tho saving of 90 persons from the Byzantine. Pabib, Dec 20. The Grassinch Co. have received a telegram announcing that nearly all tho Byzantine’s passengers were saved.

RUSSIA. London, Dec. 20. Trouble continues between the Government and the students at St. Petersburg. On Deo. II several hundred students assembled before the Czarewitch’s palace to present a petition to tho Czarewitch. Being at Scovascoe, Silo, prefect of the police, hastened to the palace, received the petition, and ordered the crowd to disperse, saying that it was illegal to present a petition in such a manner. On Dec. 14 the Agence Itusse announced that in consequence of an illegal demonstration by students of schools, the medical authorities had adopted certain measures for securing public order. A St. Petersburg despatch says: On Decl 16 a meeting was held to protest against the violence of soldiery, in regard to the occurrences against which the students had protested. The prefect of police had promised to bring an answer to the petition calling attention to the oppression of the students, and requesting tho liberation of their colleagues arrested at Charkoff. Instead of any reply being given, the St. Petersburg colleges were surrounded by 2000 gendarmes and Cossacks, and 200 arrests were made. The Cossacks used whips, and several students were injured. Tho drawbridge over the Neva was removed, to prevent thousands of students crossing to the south side. The lecture hall has been closed. Fresh disturbances are expected. Meetings within universities will be held, as outside ones are forbidden. The police have been ordered to act with severity, and, if necessary, to issue a proclamation, conspicuously posted, forbidding the carrying of arms in the St. Petersburg district, except by authorisation.

Philadelphia, Dec. 20.

Two Russian cruisers, the Asia and Europe, sail to-morrow for Cronstadt. They leave port under the command of American masters, to be turned over to Russian officers as soon as they get out of American waters. Constantinople, Dec. 21. Sufvet Pasha has been appointed to Finance. The Grand Vizier is authorised to conclude an arrangement respecting Novi Bazar Bosnia, on terms proposed by Austria. The Sultan, in receiving Caratheodori Pasha, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged him to push forward all negotiations connected with the Treaty of Berlin, as it was determined to strictly observe all the stipulations. He specially indicated Bosnia and the Novi Bazar Convention.

Pabis, Dec. 22,

A Moscow special says : An express train on the Rostov and Yladikoskas railway recently ran over an embankment, when twenty persons were killed, including General Huntz and several functionaries and officials connected with the army. Thirty-eight persons were also injured. London, Dec. 22.

A Berlin correspondent says he is informed on trustworthy authority that Russia has been making inquiries concerning a loan in Berlin.

A Vienna despatch says the Russian Government apprehend a Nihilist demonstration on Dec 21. A number of arrests were made last week. It is rumoured that a temporary closing of the Russian Universities is seriously contemplated. These international troubles are considered to be the cause of Russia’s conciliatory foreign policy. AMERICA. Halifax, Dec. 22. A heavy south-east gale this morning caused great damage to the shipping in harbour. Montreal, Dec. 22. The heaviest snow storm for years occurred last night. Near the railway three feet of snow covers tlie ground. All trains due are several hours late. Quebec, Dec. 22. About throe feet of snow fell last night. Some streets were almost impassable. ITALY. Rome, Dee. 21. Depretis, the new Italian Premier, has made a Ministerial speech and submitted to the Chambers his provisional programme. His speech was received in absolutely freezing silence. The opinion of the Organ of the Right foreshadows an early downfall for the Ministry. GERMANY. Berlin, Dec. 25. The Emperor is wonderfully well. Ho daily listens to long reports on public affairs, and gives audiences to Bismark, working hard at finance matters. A committee of three representatives of other States has boon appointed to elaborate a scheme of tax reform, which, when ripe, will be laid before the Reichstag for approval. PRANCE. Versailles, Deo. 21. The Senate re-inserted in the budget the grant of 200,000 francs for augmenting the stipends of clergy, struck out by the Chamber of Deputies, previous to its adjournment. This made necessary the re-assembling of the Chamber, which to-day rejected the grant. The Senate then concurred, and the Chamber adjourned until Jan. 16. DEATH OP THE PRINCESS ALICE. Darmstadt, Doc. 15. As early as Friday morning the physicians recognisea that the condition of the Grand Duchess was hopeless, and sent secret messages to that effect to England. Symptoms of suffocation appeared at one o’clock on Saturday morning, but were temporarily removed. The Grand Duke was then induced to leave the room, but hie mother remained to administer to the Princess to the last. The Grand Ducal Court and Hessc-Darmstadt generally, go into mourning for twelve weeks. London, Deo. 21. The Queen will spend the anniversary of the Prince Consort’s death at Windsor, and will remain there, although the memorial service will not bo held. The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince Leopold, and Princess Beatrice are also there with the Queen. All Her Majesty’s Ministers and the members of the Government have sent expressions of their sympathy with her. FOREIGN MISCELLANY. Princes QortschakofE and Orloff have tendered their resignations. Count Chambord thinks that if God grants wisdom to Prance she will proclaim him

King ami restore the ancient glory to the realm.

Tho Turkomans aro fighting the Russian General Lomakino, who is slowly pushing to Hcrahorli. In December ho was reported to bo within ten marches of Herat. It has since been learned that ho calls for reinforcement. War between China and Russia is probable. SirT. F. Wade, British Ambassador in China left London for I’okin on Nov 26, with instructions to consult tho Viceroy of India on route, regarding the attitude he should assume towards tho relations of Russia, China, and the Kashgar question. The Russians manifest a disposition to conquer Kashgar, while (ho Chinese General having defeated the Mohammedan dynasty, and broken tho Kashmirian army declares that he will permanently occupy that country. Foreign merchants have been expelled. The Kashgar question has an important hearing on the Central Asian difficulty, and may involve India with Russia at another point besides Afghanistan. The Bulgarian Assembly, composed of tho bishops, functionaries, and notables, was convened on Dec 27, to prepare to organise laws. The Province will electa prince in April. The balance of tho 4 per cent Canadian loan of £3,000,000 lias been allotted in London at a minimum price of 96). Mr J, B. Buckstone, tho actor and dramatist, is in great distress in his old age. The Whitehall lleciew has opened a subscription in relief.

Fifteen thousand cotton operatives are on strike in Oldham.

The Great Trenton Colliery Co. close their mines till trading improves. During a fog on tne Mersey on Nov. 26, a ferrp boat ran into a vessel at anchor, A panic ensued, and several leaped overboard and were drowned.

The Kaffir war is exciting interest. Vigorous measures have to be taken for the suppression of the rebellion in the Transvaal. The mail steamers of tho Cape line have been hired to transport reinforcements, which sail early in December. O'Connor, the Fenian prisoner on Spike Island, was released on condition of living outside the Queen’s dominions, and sailed for America.

Distress prevails in South Staffordshire. Works aro closing and wages being reduced. The Kentish nopgrowers declare that the general depression Has. been caused by the tree trade tariff admitting foreign products in competition with British, and recommend the imposition of high duties. The Canadian ladies are displeased at the order of vice-regal receptions by the Princess Louise. It is requested that they present themselves in low-hodied dresses, or come armed with a doctor’s certificate. The ladies declare that the climate is too rigorous to bare the shoulders, and moreover that they had been unaccustomed to such a costume, and that they will absent themselves from the Vice-regal Court if the order is persisted in. Obituary; Wm. Henry Palmer, better known as Robert Heller, the magician, in New York; George Lewes, editor of the Fortnightly, husband of Miss Austin (George Eliot) ; Chief Justice Monaghan, Irish Common Pleas; Whyte Melville, tho novelist, who broke his neck hunting; Orson Hyde, Apostle of the Mormon Church, a great friend of Joseph Smith, sen.; Alyanbara, President of the Republic of Venezuela (the Chief Justice Guillene, under the Constitution, succeeded as Acting President) ; Carl Ferdinand Gutzkow, German dramatic poet; Duchess de Montenzie, aged 89, one of the richest persons in France ; Henry Wells, founder of the well known banking-house of Wells, Fargo, and Co. ; Bayard Taylor, United States Minister at Berlin. Copenhagen, Dec. 22. The Duke of Cumberland and Princess Thyra were married with great pomp at the chapel of Christianherg Castle on Saturday evening. London, Dec. 22. A correspondent at Copenhagen, describing the wedding of Princess Thyra, says the crowds were particularly enthusiastic in their manifestations of loyalty and joy, which they intended as a demonstration against the recent sinister rumours that a letter had been received threatening the King of Denmark with assassination. Beeiin, Dec. 22.

The funeral services of Bayard Taylor, late Minister from the United States to Germany, was conducted with great pomp to-day. The body will he removed to America. London, Dec. 5.

The Standard's Vienna Correspondent declares that the special object of Schouvaloff’a visiting here was to try to persuade the Austrian Government to agree to the joint occupation of Constantinople. Austria insisted on consulting England first. The Count’s mission failed.

Large reinforcements have recently joined the Russian army of occupation in Turkey. The Berlin papers declare it is the intention of Eussia to retain her hold on Turkey by keeping the district of Bourgas and Adrianoplo occupied until the Sultan signs the proposed definite treaty of peace. Eeturning from Livadia the Czar reached Moscow on Monday, when he received an enthusiastic reception. Negotiations between Austria and Turkey respecting Bosnia are virtually completed. It is arranged that the Sultan retains his sovereign rights, and that the Austrians retire when permanent order is established. The expenses of the occupation are to be recouped. It is reported in diplomatic circles that negotiations were proceeding for the concession of a fresh convention between England and Turkey. At the request of the Porte, French and English officials are to undertake the reform of the Turkish Custom-houses. An Imperial decree authorises the Porte to take steps to raise a loan of 20,000,000 Turkish pounds. The English have been asked to guarantee it. The Emperor of Germany; returned to Berlin to-day. Extraordinary precautions have been token to ensure his safety. Owing to his feeble state of health, Prince Bismarck was unable to be present on the occasion the Emperor’s recaption. The week previously an order was issued under the new Socialist law enacting that all dangerous persons were to be expelled from Berlin and its suburbs, and prohibited carrying arms, and the 'possess;on of explosive projectiles. Alarm has been excited by the seizure of Orsini bombs at Hamburg. On Nov. 29, forty conspicuous Socialist Democrats, including two Socialist deputies, received notice of expulsion from the police. No time was given them to arrange their affairs. They will seek refuge in Switzerland, Belgium, England, and America. A manifesto addressed to the Socialistic brethren was confiscated by the Government. Great alarm prevails, rumours of conspiracies are current, and the Federal Council urges the proclamation of a limited state of siege for the capital, owing to the activity of the internationalists. Agitation is general throughout the Continent. The Spanish Government has resolved on the expulsion of all foreigners belonging to the International Society, and the Madrid Cabinet is corresponding with foreign Governments as to joint action being taken against Socialism and Secret Societies. A Congress at Romo, to discuss the subject, is suggested. Tlie great bank fraud trial at Brussels, after lasting one month, terminated yesterday in the conviction of T. Kind and hortainps on the charge of the embezzlement of twenty millions of francs. Kind was sentenced to 15 years’ solitary confinement, and Fortamps to one year’s imprisonment and 600 francs The Times’ Philadelphia Correspondent states that orders have been received to prepare immediately for sea the Eussian cruisers bought in America. All are expected to leave before Christmas. Parliament was convened on Dee. 5. The Queen’s speech referred principally to the Afghanistan war. In the debate on the address, after the sharp criticism brought to bear by the leading Liberals on Lord Lytton s course towards the Ameer, it was generally accepted, that war having been commenced it was necessary for the security of India that it must be conducted vigorously. Ine address passed without a division.

General Roberts gained a complete vie* torj over the Ameer’s forces on Dec. 5 capturing Piewar Puss and Khotal with . “ 88 ’ 11 h tho Afghan cannon, fho British loss was 80 killed and wounded. Tho Afghan loss was very heavy. Captain Kelso and Major Anderson are among the killed, and General Cobhe and Lieut. Monro among tho wounded, f Full accounts of this engagement appeared yesterday.] A man named Maddin was arrested in London for uttering threats against the Queen.

A telegram announces that Mr Edison has perfected a machine for measuring the current used in light, and that his invention for counteracting loss in the subdivision is complete, A reduction in the cost now engages his attention. ' °

It is rumoured that the Pacific Mail Company will withdraw from the Australian route.

Jonathan Nierd, the managing partner of the private bank of J. and J. Fenton and Sons, Rochdale, England, in November last lost 3,000,000 dollars of the bunk’s money by speculation on the Stock Exchange. The Czarina was delivered of a son at St Petersburg on Dec 5. Sulicman Pasha has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. lie has appealed. The Chinese Legion is organising a Press Bureau to influence public opinion in America. Already several Eastern papers are heavily subsidised ; also the Alta California and other papers of the Pacific Slope. An American correspondent is to be sent to China, accompanied by the Chinese editor of the Chinese newspaper in San Francisco. The Chinese Empire is to be open to the corrrespondent, who will be in charge of officials during his stay in the country. Money is no object.

WRECK OF THE POMERANIA. LOSS OF FORTY-EIGHT LIVES.

Tho wreck of the Pomerania, steamship, belonging to the Hamburg Line, by collision off Folkestone on the night of Dec. 25, caused great excitement. From various details gleaned, it appears that the Pomerania, Captain Schwensten, left New York for Hamburg on Nov. 14, and arrived at Plymouth at midnight on Nov. 24. She landed all her English passengers and proceeded to Cherbourg, where she landed other passengers, and sailed on her voyage up the Channel at midnight on Nov. 25. There wae a dense fog as she neared Dungeness. About three miles off shore the Pomerania collided with the Welsh barque Norleileen, of Carnarvon, from Rotherham to Cardiff, The steamer sank in twenty minutes after the collision. The barque anchored off Folkestone with her how stove in and her forward compartments full of water. The Pomerania was struck on the starboard side amidships. Distress signals were given and responded to by the steamer Glengarry, which was going down the Channel towards the scene of the disaster, and arrived in time to rescue 172 passengers. There were nine boats on the Pomerania, four of which were crushed by the collision. The other five were cut off, hut one was overcrowded with passengers and sank. All the boats pulled away from the doomed ship, leaving the captain, who refused to quit the ship until the last moment. The last boat to leave was under the charge of the chief officer, who did all in his power to persuade the captain to leave. After pulling for half an hour the survivors were picked up by the Glengarry. One gentleman was taken from the water in an unconscious state, and restored. The Glengarry stayed near the scene till day break, when the Pomerania was seen with her mast above water. The Glengarry then proceeded to Dover with those saved, and landed them at 9 o’clock. They were taken to the Sailors’ Home, treated with every kindness, and had breakfast. The greatest possible order under the circumstances was maintained by the officers and crew. COMMERCIAL. Litebpool, Dec. 20, The leading grain circular says:—Wheat; The market has been inactive, but the supply of home grown has in most cases been small. Prices are scarcely giving way. In the floating department transactions were very restricted, there being little demand. Prices are nominally unchanged. Yesterday, however, five cargoes off the coast were sold on the spot. Since Tuesday .wheat has been fully maintained at previous quotations. There was a moderate business in corn, and there is a consumptive demand that slightly favours sellers. Red winter was Is a cental dearer than on Tuesday, while supporting that day’s quotation with rather more inquiry. Flour is unchanged. Corn fairJy sold at prices a turn lower.

IITEBPOOt, Dec. 21. Average Californian wheat, 9s to 9s fid j best, 9s 5d to 9s 9d. New Tobb, Dec, 21. Gold and greenbacks were at par throughout the week. Flour is weak; wheat a shade firmer; petroleum unchanged; wool active. Boston, Dec. 21. Wool is quiet; prices are ruling lower. Manufacturers are bearing the market, hoping to stock for the year at low rates. Sellers are disposed to meet the market. Chicago, Dec. 21. Wheat is lower. The provision market is depressed, and prices are lower than they have been since 1829. Sax Fkaxcisco, Dec. 25. There has been very light business here since last report, and values are substantially unchanged. The fleet in port loading show a steady reduction, while the disengaged list has increased somewhat. The absence of grain has a great influence on the market at this time, and farmers are unwilling to sell. Other articles are quiet, without special change. Freights are stagnant, and rates nominal, while, in general merchandise, there is little or no business doing beyond the actual holiday trade.