THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Southland Times, Issue 2142, 28 June 1875, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

The Pall Mall Gazette finds the origin of the recent wnr rumors in the following circumsiancee:— The Versailles Assembly just before adjourning for the last recess, passed a Bill concerning the sliftiutli of the French army. Bismarck addressed a circular despatch to the diplomatic representatives of Germany complaining of the adoption of a measure which ■was described as being calculated to disturb the peace of Europe. The contents of these despatches were, accord, ing to instructions, orally communij cated by the German representatives to the Governments to which they were respectively accredited. The substance of this despatch was divulged, aud gave rise to the reports which caused so much alarm throughout Europe. The assertion that Bismarck sent such a despatch bas received a semi-official denial. The article in the Berlin Post also contributed largely to the war alarm. The articles traced the efforts made by France to enlist the co operation of Italy and Austria against Germany, by increasing the French army to a large Btandard. The article says, "If the Pope would recognise Italy as a State without reference to his own claims to territorial possessions, Italy would readily turn against Germany." A terrible caße of fanaticism, superinduced by spirit-rapping, is now undergoing investigation. A Cuban mother, believing she was acting by order of the spirits, sought to tear out her eye ; her son afterwards attempting to tear out his own eyes. This she did openly as a solemn sacrifice in the presence of other women of the family, who prayed in loud voices while the operation was going on. All the parties hare been arrested. Mexican telegrams state that the revolution which began at Michohan in consequence of the promulgation of church reforms, and ihe expulsion of sisters of charity, is extending and gaining ground. Another telegram states that Michohan is suffering greatly, all business beiDg paralysed, and the people are leaving the villages. Jaoabah was pillnged and burned. The legislature at Micbohau, alarmed at the progress of the revolt, has been convoked in an extra session, which began on the 23rd inst. It will discuss measures for the suppression of the rebellion. A despatch from Osceola, the territory and town destroyed through the great forest fires in Pennsylvania, says that for miles around that place the fire is still smouldering in the woods. The loss of timber will be much greater than was at first supposed. Millions of logs chopped are utterly uselsss, and millions of young trees are still standing, out of which the fire has taken the sap, and they also will be valueless next year. A Eelief Committee met in Phillipsburg, and drew up a circular appealing to the public for aid to build up ths town of Osceola. Provisions and clothing are coming in. Last night it was discovered that a barrel of whiskey had been brought to a place in a wood near the town, and that a number of men had got drunk. A Catholic priest went to the place and dispersed them, but he was roughly repelled ; when coming back to town he secured the aid of a party of citizens, who routed the sellers and spilled the whisky. A police force has been organised and placed under the command of Captain Clarke. Already two shanties have been erected, but in most places the ruins are still too hot to commence building. The roads leading to the town are still burning. The Town Kelief Committee will put up the frame of a building for the reception of clothing and provisions. Tho fire in the vicinity of Honesdale is believed to be under control. On Friday night it had reached into a patch of forest that covers the hillside between Franklin and the Sterling coal mines. The proprietors of both mines had nearly 500 men fighting the flames. Many of these men were badly burned in cutting down the trees and brushwood. The fires are still burning in the forest near Honesdale, but they appear to be travelling in the direction away from the towns. The woods are still burning in the vicinity of Phillipsburg.