ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 954, 16 July 1877, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] Auckland, July 15,

The mail steamer City of Sydney arrived this morning from San Francisco. The following are the principal items of news : General Grant arrived at Liverpool on the 28th of May. The port was gaily decorated. His reception was most enthusiastic. At Manchester, Leicester, and other places there were great demonstrations of welcome. In a letter describing his arrival, ho says —“ I love to see eur country honored and respected abroad, and am proud to believe that it is by most nations, and by some even loved. It has always been my desire to see all jealousy between England and the States abated, and every sore healed. Together they are more powerful for the spread of commerce and civilisation than all the others combined.” On his arrival in London General Grant was greeted on all sides and underwent a trying ordeal of festivals. He dined with the Queen and attended a concert and ball at Buckingham Palace. He dined with the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Wellington, the Lord Mayor, the Duke of Cambridge, and Earl Beaconsfield. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh intimated that it was the desire of the Corporation and citizens to make a public recognition of their respect. His reception by the people was very warm. He visited the Oxford commemoration to receive the degree of D.C.L. The Government, at his solicitation, is favorably considering the pardon of the Fenian Davitt, undergoing a fifteen years’ sentence. A demonstration of working men is projected. He was presented with the freedom of the City of London on the 15th of June in the presence of 800 people assembled at the Guildhall; Earl Derby, the Hon Sir Stafford Northcote, Lord Aberdeen, the Hon Mr Cardwell, the Hon Mr Foster and Lord Tenterden present. The Lord Mayor and the Chamberlain read an address and presented to him the right hand of fellowship as a citizen of London, amid loud applause. At a dinner at the Reform Club, Earl Granville proposed — “The Health of the ex-President.” General Grant, in reply, said —“ I hope when opportunity offers —one of calmer and more deliberate moment -to put on record grateful recollection of the fraternal sentiment of the English people, and desire that America should render an adequate response. The speech of the Earl of Granville has inspired thoughts in my bosom which it is impossible adequately to express. Never have I lamented so much as now my poverty in power to give due expression to my affection for the Mother Country.” On Juno 18th there was a fete in his honor at the Alexandra Palace, and he afterwards dined with the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Emperor and Empress of Brazil and Ministers.

On the Stock Exchange on June 19th prices declined in consequence of the circulation of rumors regarding the attitude of England. A new Russian loan will be issued by the Imperial Redemption Commissioners. The interest, will accrue from July Ist. Lady Sterling Maxwell, better known as | the Hon. Mrs Horton, died on the loth of | June. She had only been married a few I months to her second husband.

Engineers, after making geological explorations and soundings for the Dover submarine tunnel, report that such a tunnel is perfectly practicable. There is a continuous bed of chalk between the two shores. In the House of Commons on Juno 19th Mr George Osborne Morgan, Liberal member for Devonshire, gave notice that in the case of the withdrawal of the Burial Bill, he would move a resolution embodying the clauses. In the Lords on the same day Earl Harrowby moved a resolution, making the Church of England service optional. The motion was passed by 127 to 11. At the request of the Duke of Richmond, the further consideration of the Bill was adjourned for one week. The Grovernment will probably withdraw the Bill. Hews from the famine districts of India is more cheerful. The rainfall has gradually improved the prospects. The Widcombe Suspension Bridge, near Bath, fell into the Avon with nearly two hundred people. It was a light wooden structure, without a centre support. It snapped in the middle, and fell into the stream. Twelve persons were killed and fifty injured, some fatally. The New York “ World’s ” special correspondent says that the Princess of Wales will proceed as soon as possible to take up her permanent residence at her father’s court at Copenhagen. The alleged cause of this serious stop is an unpleasant difficulty in which a lady of title is concerned. An affray between sailors belonging to the Grerman man-of-war Elizabeth and French sailors is reported to have occurred at Yokohama on June sth. Nine Frenchmen were killed and two wounded. The provocation is believed to have come from the Frenchmen. A searching inquiry has been instituted. M. Thiers has been elected Republican

leader in the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.

Messages had been presented from McMahon asking for the immediate dissolution of both Houses. Interpolations were moved, and a vote of want of confidence carried against the Government by 363 ayes to 153 noes. At Berlin, on June 10th, a serious .impression was caused by articles in the “ National ” discussing the crisis in France, and declaring that an ultramontane ref/ime, which alone could succeed the Republic, is irreconcilable with European peace. These articles arc said to reflect the views of the Government.

In Spain the Government have decided to forbid pilgrimages or religious manifestations, which may form a pretext for Oar list propanganism. The Catholic Church in Witchcn, in the Grand Duchy of Posen, was struck by lightning during the Sunday service. Six persons were killed and ten seriously injured. In Corea the famine is making frightful ravages. The natives everywhere are starving to death. Crowds of beggars are wandering about in search of food, emaciated to the last degree. The Corean Government have appointed the 10th, 20th, and 30th of each month for the relief of the distressed. In the House of Commons a motion for the abolition of capital punishment was rejected by 155 to 50.

AMERICA. Letters from persons desirous of eliciting information on the subject of emigration to Australia and New Zealand appear in the San Francisco papers. Unfavourable and untruthful replies are given in order to discourage emigration. There has been a robbery from the mailcar in transit from London to Paris of bonds of the value of 70,000 dollars. The Pacific Mail Co.’s splendid steamer City of San Francisco has been totally wrecked near Acapulco, on the coast of Mexico. The steamer left Panama for San Francisco on May 11th, having 137 passengers and 100 officers and crew. On Wednesday morning, May 16th, the day being bright and the atmosphere clear, the ship struck upon an unknown reef, cutting the hull for a length of 60ft. The water rushed in with fearful velocity. Though the vessel was evidently sinking, not a cry was heard from the passengers. With little confusion, but during silent, anxious waiting, the boats started for the shore, not a passenger being allowed a pound of baggage of any kind. When nearing the shore each boat was overturned, and the passengers were thrown into the surf, but all landed safely. Fortunately a stream of fresh water was found in a gorge between the mountains. The captain sent officers to Acapulco, eighty miles distant, but fortunately the boat fell in with the gunboat Mexico; and, although under orders to get provisions for Pestegda city, the inhabitants of which were starving, the captain of the gunboat steamed to the relief of the shipwrecked passengers, and they were all taken off safely. The ship now lies partly submerged. Details of the disasters caused on the South Pacific coast by the earthquake and tidal wave of May have been received. The towns of Arica, Iquique, Portobelli, Abos, Pabellon, Depica, Chenavya, Huanillos, Tocopilla, Cobya, Mejillones, Debolena, Artepagasta, and Chanarela were nearly all destroyed. Six hundred lives were lost. The destruction at Pabellon is estimated at 20,000,000 dollars. Villages twenty-three leagues inland were ruined. The shipping of guano from the south deposits will be indefinitely suspended, as all facilities in the way of launches, wharves, water condensers, and buildings of all kinds have been swept away. The destruction of shipping was very great and attended by serious loss of life. At Mallendo the railway was torn up by the sea. At Arica immense damage was done. The United States ship Wateree was lifted bodily and floated for miles to the north of her old position. Merchandise from Custom house and stores was carried five miles distant. The earthquake levelled large numbers of public buildings and private dwellings. The people passed the night on the hills. There has been an alarming uprising of Indians on the Comas prairie, Idaho territory. News received at Portland, Oregon, on June 19th, shows that settlers were killed in all directions. A body of troops and settlers, 270 strong, marched to chastise the Indians, but were outnumbered and surrounded. Half of their number were killed. The rest are still encircled and fighting against odds. Tire Indians engaged in the fight number 2000 effective warriors. There is a general uprising of the savages and the whole country is wild with alarm. The Indians are massacreng men, women, and children in Comas prairie, and the settlers are fleeing in all directions for safety. WAR NEWS.

Atlantic regarding the war are very full. The Russian advance through Roumania was reported as having been most orderly, and as having brought a rich harvest to the inhabitants of the principality. Six men were picketed on each house in the towns occupied. The railway from Jassy consisted only of a single line, so badly constructed that no higher speed than fifteen miles per hour was obtained. The Russians employed thousands of men to lay a new line. Several German ironclads have been sent to the Mediterranean, to act under the orders of the German consul.

Large subscriptions have been raised in Berlin for the wounded. Russian nobles are encouraging the movement.

Reinforcements sent from Erzeroum to Ardahan have effected a junction with a portion of the former garrison. The combined force, by a coup dat wain, succeeded in recapturing the town. The Turks numbered 8000. It is stated that the Russians reduced the town to ruins before the Turkish entry. The recapture is also denied. The Russians have evacuated the whole coast lino of the Abazcs country. The Czar formally takes command both of the Russian and Roumanian armies. All cause of jealousy is thus averted. A dispatch from Count Schouvaloff informed Prince Bismarck that the Russians, as indemnification for war expenses, would eventually claim Upper Armenia as far as Kars. Coarbi was shelled for eight hours. Sailing ships were destroyed, and a steamer of the Austrian Danube Navigation Company. The Russians have blown up another Turkish monitor in the Danube with a torpedo. The operation was a very daring one. A Russian officer conducted the torpedo to the mouth in open daylight, under fire. The Russian boat was almost submerged by the explosion of the torpedo. Another was struck by a shot. Gfeneral Todtleben, of Crimean [fame, has

arrived at Sebastopol to take command of the defences.

Popular excitement in favor of the war has taken place in Greece and Servia. In the latter principality public prayers were offered in the presence of the Prince for the success of the Russian arms. In Greece the King, yielding to the clamour of the people, formed a Ministry possessing their sympathies. The Russian advance in Europe has been much delayed by floods which covered the Roumanian railways. The Porte made levies on the Christians for 200,000 troops, but on being remonstrated with withdrew the order.

Five millions roubles of exemption money paid by voluntary subscription in Russia for tire war have been accepted. Instructions have been issued to Hobart Pasha to bombard Odessa.

On May 31st Mr Gladstone received an ovation in Birmingham. Business was suspended. Thirty thousand people attended the night meeting, at which the Liberal leader made an eloquent attack on Turkey. He challenged the Government to dissolve and to test the feeling of the country. An enthusiastic resolution was passed calling on the Government to demand guarantees for the Christians in Turkey. The “ Times” correspondent estimates the Turkish army in Europe at two hundred thousand, well armed, but short of artillery and cavalry. He says the Danube fortresses have been placed in a wonderful state of efficiency by earthworks, but there is a total want of military organisation. Prince Gortschakoff’s note to Lord Derby, of which Count Schouvaloff was the bearer states that tli e Czar does not want territorial increase in Europe, but only desires autonomy for Bulgaria and the independence of Roumania and Servia.

A despatch from Erzeroum states that Muhktar Pasha’s army is decimated by sickness ; that the commissariat is in a frightful condition; and that the roads are swarming with deserters from the army. A subsequent telegram is more hopeful. Twenty battalions of reinforcements had arrived from Trebizond. A Turkish detachment entered the Russian district of Acholezha, and threatened Russian communication with Ardahan. Three flying columns were sent against the Russian right wing. The Russians not only evacuated Olti, but Penek, at the foot of the Pass over Canloy range, leading to Ardahan. Both Olti and Penek were re-occupied by the Turks, who also pursued the Russians. Three attacks were made by the Russians against Fort Samez, erected to strengthen the defences of Fort Velepach, the key of Kars. The Russians massed around Kars all their troops, and for several days they attempted to storm the forts Samez and Karadagh, but on every occasion were repulsed. They made a desperate effort to take possession of the heights, when the garrison made a sortie with field artillery and repulsed the Russians with great losses. At Batoum the Russians are pushing on their works. Reinforcements are greatly needed, and, without relief, the troops will become tired out. The Turkish officers are despondent. Poti is deserted, the shops closed, and the inhabitants have fled into the interior. Only few soldiers remain to oppose the landing of Circassians from Turkish transports. At Constantinople affairs are said to be in a bad condition. The Sultan is morose, and railing against England. The people are getting discouraged, and treasonable speeches are heard on all sides. A change in the Administration is likely, and Maist Pasha will probably be recalled as commander-in-chief. The policy of Hobart Pasha is openly denounced.

The Bashi-Bazouks have committed outrages in Constantinople. Muhktar Pasha’s Allasehegerds division, which started from Delibaba on an offensive reconnoissance in the direction of Ryher Pass was attacked by three Russian columns, but repulsed them with heavy loss after five hours’ desperate fighting. The total Russian forces available in Asia Minor, 140,000, are around Kars —30,000 between Kars and Batoum ; 30,000 between Kars and the line of Bayazid and Toprakalth, leaving about 40,000 for the centre against Mukhta Pasha.

The Turkish squadron, two monitors, three ironclads, and several barques are cruising about Eupatoria and Sebastopol. There is a panic at Odessa. Twenty thousand Arabs are ravaging the country between Damascus and Aleppo. Pasha Pasha has gained a decisive victory over 13,000 Russians near Sukhum Kaleh. Lords Derby and Salisbury have made most pacific speeches at the Merchant Tailors’ banquet at Guildhall. A Berlin despatch says that orders have been issued by the Russian Government to accelerate a new levy of 218,000 men. Despite this, the opinion prevails that Russia favors peace. A “Daily News” Rustchuk despatch says outrages are proceeding unchecked in the province of Tultscha. The Christians are outraged by tire authorities and abandoned to the Tartars and Circassians. Tillages are wantonly sacked and burned, with the view of rendering the country a desert before the advance of the Russians. The flames of burning villages arc visible every night. Tire Turks are collecting reserves westward of Sofia.

The garrison of Widin has been reduced to strengthen the army in the field. In the first advance of the Russians from Sistova and Nicopolis there was an effective cannonade from Rustchuk against masses of Russians visible on the opposite side of the river. A dyke has been cut, and the railway from Kustendgi is submerged. There is a strongly fortified line to resist the advance in the Dobrudscha. In an encounter between six Russian t orpedo boats and some Turkish ironclads at Sulina mouth of Danube, the torpedo boats were driven off. Three were destroyed and some prisoners taken. One of the ironclads was injured. Tim fighting in Montenegro has been very severe ; the Turkish troops there numbering seventy thousand. Several thousands were slaughtered on both sides, and the Turks crushed hack the enemy, who were completely outnumbered.

Jurymen’s Diet. luncheon adjournment at the Supreme Court, Dunedin, the Foreman of the Jury, says the “Star,” complained of the luncheon with which they had been supplied, especially as regarded the quality of the food. His Honor said that perhaps the Sheriff was of the same opinion as himself, that heavy meals were not desirable for people having important business under consideration. He had no doubt that the Sheriff would take the hint, it being a very broad one, and have the matter attended to. He (his Honor) could not be expected to review the bill of fare.