RUSSIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5760, 4 May 1880, Page 5

RUSSIA.

The Jews are being treated with increased severity : some are forced to represent themselves as Protestant Christians to avoid expulsion from Sr. Petersburg. Several who have been leading business men for many years in the Governmentf of Tula, Onel, and KharkotT, have been summarily expelled. Tto A'jtnce Hussc denies that Prince Gortschakoff is about to resign. The province of Kliarkoff is being ravaged by diphtheria. Over 100 medical students have recently been arrested on suspicion. The new official organ, the Bereg, finds no favour. It doss not advocate Liberal measures. Officials in the Overland Customhouse have been overhauled for malfeasance. They have been inriching themselves at the expense of the Government. Clearing, for consideration, high tariffed goods at a low rate of duty. A dispatch from St. Petersburg, April 10, says Gortschakoff is dying. Telegrams from the Russian Consul at Van, Armenia, appeal for help, to save the inhabitants of that district from annihilation. Famine is increasing. 150 persons died of starvation at Agtak. Russia is moving in the matter, seuding forward supplies, &c. Convicts (political) are being despatched from Russia to the island of Laghalieu, by hundreds. The Emperor has presented Alexander of Bulgaria a war steamer, 40,000 rifles and several Krupp guns, and allowed him to enlist 5000 Russian subjects. Correspondents will not be permitted with the Turcoman expedition. Two thousand Chinese troops have crossed the Amoor into Russian territory. The Chinese Charge d'Affaires and his whole staff had left St. Petersburg for Pekin. Wienawski, the great violinist, died at Moscow, on April 5. It is reported General Melikoff's position of Dictator had already become shaky. The Czar will not visit any German watering place, this summer. Theft* of gunpowder from the Government mills at Odessa have been discovered. Batuum is being fortified, contrary to Russia's declaration that it was to be a free port.