Mail News.

Otago Witness, Issue 1418, 25 January 1879, Page 6

Mail News.

» GENERAL SUMMARY VIA SAN PRANCISCO. (Per Press Association Special Wire.) LondOxV, December sth. The Standard's Vienna correspondent declares that Schouvaloff's special object in visiting Vienna was to try and pernuade the Austrian Government to agree to the joint occupation of Constantinople. Austria insists on consulting England first, aud 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 Russia to retain her hold on Turkey by keeping the districts of Burgos and Adrianople occupied until the Sultan signs the proposed definite treaty of peace. Returning from Livida, the Czar reached Moscow on Monday, where he experienced an enthusiastic reception. Negotiations between Austria and Turkey respecting Bosnia are virtually completed. It is arranged that the Sultan retains sovereign rights, and the Austrians retire when permanent order is established. The expenses of occupation are to be recouped. It is reported in diplomatic circles that negotiations are proceeding for a fresh convention between England and Turkey. At the request of the Porte, Blench 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 twenty millions on Turkish bonds, and the English Government have been asked to guarantee it. The Emperor of Germany returned to Berlin to-day. Extra' rdinary precautions have been taken to ensure his safety, A week previously, an order was issued under the new Socialist law, enacting that dangerous persons were to be expelled from Berlin and its suburbs, and prohibited carrying artns and having possession of explosive projectiles. Owing to his feeble state of health, Prince Bismarck was unable to be present on the occasion of the Emperor's reception. Alarm has been excited by the seizure of Orsini bombu at Hamburg. On the 29th ultimo, 40 conspicuous Social Democrats, including two Socialist deputies, received notice of expulsion from the police. No time was given them to arrange their affairs. They will Eeek refuge in Switzerland, Belgium, England, and America. A manifesto addressed to the Socialistic Brethren was confiscated by the Government. Great alarm prevails, and rumours of a conspiracy are current, and the Federal Council urges the proclamation of a limited state of siege of the capital. Owing to the activity of Internationalists an agitation is general throughout the Continent, and the Spanish Government has resolved on the expulsion of all foreigners belonging to the International Society. The Madrid Cabinet is corresponding with the^ foreign Governments as to joint action against Socialism and secret societies. A congress at Rome to discuss the subject is suggested. The great bond fraud tried at Brussels, after lasting a month, terminated yesterday in the conviction ,'of T. Kind and Fortamps on a charge of embezzling 20 millions of francs. T. Kind was sentenced to 15 'years' solitary confinement, and Fortamps to one year's imprisonment and 600 francs fine. The Times Philadelphia correspondent states that orders have been received to prepare immediately for sea four Russian cruisers, bought in America. All are expected to leave before Christmas. (BY TELEGRAPH TO SAN FRANCISCO.) London, December 23rd. Parliament was convened on the sth. The Queen's Speech referred principally to the debate on the Address. After a sharp criticism by the leading Liberals of Lord Lytton's course toward the Ameer, it wa3 resolved that war having been commenced, if necessary for the security of India, it must be conducted vigorously. The Address was passed without division. General Roberts gained a complete victory over the Ameer's forces on the sth instant, capturing Peiwur Khotal with a slight loss. The British loss is 80 killed and wounded, and the Afghan loss is very heavy. Captain Kelso and Major Anderson ate among the killed, aud General Cobbe and Lieutenant Munro among the wounded. A gigantic strike of 100,000 men is threatened at the commencement of the year in South Yorkshire and Norcb. Derbyshire. The Duke of Cumberland and Princess Thyra were married on the 21st, at Christiansborg Castle. A man named Madden has been arrested in London for uttering threats against the Queen. San Francisco, December 23rd. A telegram announces that Mr Edison has perfected a machine for measuring the current used in. light, and that his invention for counteracting the loss in subdivision is complete. The reduction of cost now engages his attention. It is rumoured that the Pacific Mail Compony will withdraw from the Australian route. Jonathan Nierd, managing partner of the private bank of J. and J. Penton and Sons, Rochdale, England, in November lost 3,000,000 dollars of the bank's money by a speculation in the Stock Exchange. The Chinese Legation is organising a Press Bureau to influence public opinion in America. Already several Eastern papers are heavily subsidised ; also the Alta and other papers of the Pacific Slope. A special American correspondent is to be sent to China, accompanied by a Chinese editor of a Cbiue«e newspaper ia San Francisco. The Chinese Empire is to be open to the correspondent, who will be in charge of officials during his stay in the country. Money is no object. The (Jzarina was delivered of a son, at St. Petersburg, on December sth. Lady Gooch has been committed for trial for attempting to pass a bogus baby upon Sir Francis, as his son and heir. The Grand Jury ignored the bill. Sulieinan Pasha has been sentenced to 15 yeare' imprisonment. He has appealed. Some time before the death of tho Princess Alice, her physicians reeotfniaed that the case was hopeless, and sent secret messages to that effect to England. Symptoms of suffocation appeared at 1 o'clock on Saturday morning, but were temporarily removed. The Grand Duke was then induced to leave the room, but his mother remained, administering to tho Princess until the last;