THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 66, 6 March 1877, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

In the event of war, a split is expected n the British Parliament. The Liberals are dividing under the opposing leadership of the Marquis of Harfcington and Mr. Gladstone, and the Conservatives are dividing through known differences between Earl Salisbury and Earl Beaconsfield. It is reported that Russia will not oppose Servian peace negotiations, in order that, should war arise, Servia may be invaded as Turkish territory. Prince Gortschakoff is dangerously ill. It is reported that he is likely to resign owing to the Emperor's unwillingness to declare war. Russia has ordered fourteen Krupp 11-in. guns forKronstadt. It is expected that an exchange of prisoners„between Sarvia and Turkey will take place shortly. A considerable force of Circassians and Bashi Bazouks who advanced against Negotin on the 2nd January, were repulsed by the garrison and some Cossacks from Kladowa. According to information received at the Servian headquarters, 35 Cossacks and 111 Turks were killed. As a fresh attack is apprehended, Kladowa is being fortified. Private advices from Russia continue to afford strong evidence of injury done to mercantile communities by apprehensions of war. The Times Berlin correspondent says that Russia seems to have decided upon a peculiar plan. She trusts she can support the strain of a prolonged mobilisation better than Turkey, and will therefore keep troops on the frontier, thus compelling Turkey to do the same. If Turkey follows Russia's example, it is expected, before many month's, that the people will demand peace at any price. Russia has made fresh but unsuccessful attempts to raise a loan in Amsterdam, and Germany will be obliged to have recourse to an increase of her floating debt, and issue Treasury bonds. War preparations continue with energy. Servia is making an earnest appeal to the Western Cabinets to support her in refusing the demands of Turkey. The Russians, in order to redouble their pressure on Turkey, will probably cross the Pruth, if not immediately, at least at a later stage. As soon as it was known thatTurkeyhad made overtures to Servia, the Russian representatives at the various Courts declared that Russia had no objection to the conclusion of peace. The Times Paris special says it is affirmed on all hands that brisk correspondence is progressing between Russia and Germany. Some assert that Russia wants to know whether she could enjoy the fruits of victory if she achieved one. A fire occurred at Stoneham Coal Mine, Bolton, and fifteen men are known to have been killed.

Commercial intercourse between Russia and China has been suspended, owing to the Chinese suspicions excited by Russian exploring expeditions. The barque Robert Kelly came into collision with the barque Huddersfield, of Liverpool, off Start Point. The Huddersfield sank immediately—eight persons drowned. Eighty-six deaths from small-pox occurred in London in one week. Trade in England is dull. The cost of relief works and measures to relieve the famine in Bombay and Madras is estimated at six and a-half million sterling. The Pope received the students of the American College, who read an address and presented a sum of Peter's pence. The Pope in reply, referred to the marvellous progress Catholicism was making in America. It is said that the Catholic papers (Powers?) have engaged to make the strictest use of the ancient prerogatives to insure regularity in the election of a successor to Pius the Ninth. A cable special saysthe German Government is in possession of ample proof of the existence of a large monastine conspiracy in France to endeavour to gain Popery in that country for purposes hostile to Germany. The Public Prosecutor of Germany has instituted proceedings against the son of Count Arnim, on account of offensive newspaper articles. The Spanish squadron is daily expecting China, to demand satisfaction of the Chinese authorities.