FURTHER MAIL NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1557, 14 February 1879, Page 3

FURTHER MAIL NEWS BY THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

[By Telegraph.] French, German, and especially Italian journalists agree in saying that the influence of England as a Continental power is once more in the ascendant, while the “ Opinion,’’ a Roman print, notwithstanding _ its traditional antiBritish tendencies, admits that in the past twelve months England has stood forth as the champion of European liberties and rights. In Germany not a day passes without persons who are suspected of complicity in Socialistic designs receiving peremptory orders to quit the country. There is quite as much industrial and commercial distress in the Fatherland as in Britain. In Russia matters are no better. The central authority of the State is becoming the object of intense detestation, and of elaborately organised conspiracies. Private correspondence, of an absolutely trustworthy character, states that, in the war with Turkey, Russia lost 100,000 men killed and 150,000 wounded. The Nihilists are now rampant, and in their determination to put down Nihilism the Russian authorities are going far to render freedom of speech and opinion impossible at home. The Russian exchequer is exhausted, and the loss of men in the late war is sorely felt. An attempt to float a new loan has failed. There have been serious and significant riots among the students of Kief, leading to something very like a battle with the authorities, in consequence of which eighty were seriously hurt and killed. Many are in a state of insurrection at Kasan, and the domestic horizon is growing far too overcast and threatening for the Russian Goyernmen to feel easy while the bulk of the army is absent in foreign parts. Ireland is the subject of two significant and interesting statements, whether true or false time will prove. In the first place it is announced that the Government will practically concede the demand of tho Irish Roman Catholics in the matter of University education.

The second announcement is, from a national point of View, of much greater moment. Lord Beaconsfield is said to warmly advocate the idea of the Duke of Connaught, after his marriage, regularly settling in_ Ireland and taking up his residence at Dublin Castle, superseding the Lord Lieutenant, not as a nominee of a po'itical party, but as direct representative of the Queen. A letter from Finland says that Lapland has suffered dreadful ravages from wolves this summer. One-third of the reindeer belonging to the Laps are destroyed, and nearly all the young ones.

Information received at St. Petersburg from the Governments of the various provinces of Russia shows that the loss occasioned by the cattle plague throughout the empire exceeds 00,000,000 roubles this year. The distress in England is specially prevalent among the class which is most defenceless, namely, the lower middle class, such as bank clerks, commercial travellers, and such like. By the failure of large banks and manufacturing concerns, it is believed that large numbers of these poor people are deprived of their means of sustenance, and are suffering terribly in consequence. Unlike the labouring classes, they are unable to turn their hands to anything, and simply starve, being too proad to beg until really in extremes. Some pitiable cases of tins kind have been lately discovered. As for the labouring classes, the frost, which lasted for nearly a month, forced them out of work as effectually as their own strikes, and for their benefit soup-kitchens were opened in every direction.

t General Grant was enthusiastically received in Ireland. He expressed a hope at Coleraine that the period of depression had ended, and that American prosperity would aid Ireland. A public fete was observed at Belfast, and inflammatory appeals [published, asking Irishmen to receive General Grant as the great Orange Republican who shot dead sixty Papists who attempted to stop the Orange procession through Broadway. Germany intends to retain her naval forces at Samoa. She retains possession of two forts and the Island of Upoloa. The [Ariadne and Nautilus will land forces. AMERICAN. A prominent contractor of Cincinnati has entered into a contract to construct a railroad from Jerusalem to Jaffa, Palestine. The correspondent of the Liverpool “ Post ” telegraohs that the Queen intends to abdicate in February in favor of the Prince of Wales as Regent. In an attempted revolution at Panama Governor Pena was shot dead. The attempt was surprised by the troops. Two men, named Kitchman and Mitchell, who had been arrested at Nebraska charged with murder, were seized by the crowd and burned to death. The New York “ Star ” accuses Beecher of atheistic tendencies. In Massachusetts a woman named Caldwell, in a fit of insanity, chopped off her husband’s head while he was on his knees praying. A statement by the Pacific Mail Company shows that its affairs are in a very bad way financially. The Russian Mennonites are expected to arrive in New York next month. Thousands are fleeing to escape military service. REDUCTION IN WAGES, STRIKES, LOCKOUTS AND DISTRESS. The strike of miners in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire will not be nearly as large as was anticipated. Not more than 600 operatives will go out. A strike has begun in the wire trade at Warrington which may assume serious proportions. The masters contend for a reduction of wages or the works must close, and German wire can be obtained cheaper than English can be manufactured. The men say the reduction is excessive, The strike among the colliers advanced the price of coal, stocks being low. A compromise is expected. Coalminers are not in favor tf submitting to the proposed arbitration, and consider that the case does not admit of argument. The miners at Rock Colliery struck against a ten per cent, reduction of wages. The foundry men, ship builders, and house builders of Bangor and vicinity struck. Six hundred weavers of Carlisle struck. The strike will affect other departments of the mills.

Notices were posted on Saturday by the Iron Trade Employers’ Association in the iron shipbuilding yards and foundries in Liverpool and the district around, of a reduction of wages by seven and a half per cent after the 31st January. It is thought the men will strike. Six engineering firms at Huddersfield have locked out their workmen for refusing to conse .t to an extension of hours.

Arbitration on the differences between Bmp'oyers and employes at Cleveland and the Nonh of England iron trade resulted in a decision that the men accept a 5 per cent, reduction of wages.

The cotton mills near Burnley give notice of a reduction. Some mills ihere have stopped altogether ; also at Padiham end Whitefield. The colliers in Barnsley district are taking their tools from the mines, having determined to reject the arbitration scheme. A British workman writes from Manchester, England, to the New York “ Evening Post ” : “ There is scarcely a single trade that is not very much affected during the present depression. Some hundreds of boiler makers ceased work last week because the employers cannot afford to raise their wages four shillings a week. Onr great free trade hall was filed on Sunday last with some thousands of railway employes, protesting against a reduction of two shillings a week. The cotton mills of Oldham and districts are idle because cotton maste s are so overstocked as to offer mill hands work only on condition of ?o dreadful a decrease of wages th it the said hands prefer to work none and wholly starve, rather than work hard for semi-starva-ti ai wages. Meanwhile most dreadful scenes are witnessed in our immediate neighborhood. The newspapers teem with instances of intense hunger and destitution, only one of which I will give as a sample of the rest. A butcher missed a largo bunch of “lights,” which he had seen hanging outside his window a moment before. Going to the door ho observed a scarecrow of a fellow making off with it quickly. He followed him unobserved, picking up a policeman as he went along. They_ went into the man’s house, only to find him, his wife, and children tearing asunder and ravenously devouring the “raw material” just_ stolen. To the credit of common humanity, instead of giving the man into custody, the butcher gave him a couple of shillings, and the policeman was only too glad to wink at the “ miscarriage of justice.” In keeping with the sad commercial outlook, Christmas Day in London proved extremely dull. The weather was unfavorable. Suow fell in the afternoon, and at night it rained heavily. A London despatch of January 3rd, says:— “Lord Derby, in speaking at Liverpool last evening, took a very despondent view of trade in England, and advised increased emigration to America and Australia. The speech has tended to still further depress public feeling. His Lordship took an exhaustive view of the condition of England’s _ trade, and of the obstacles which stand in the way of its revival. He showed how the increased ability of other nations to manufacture for themselves was constantly diminishing the market for English goods, and how difficult it would be for England to keep on paying laroe sums of money in return for articles of food which she was compelled to purchase from America and other countries. The only remedy, his Lordship said, which suggested itself to his mind, after long and anxious reflection, was wholesale emigration to America and Australia, and he urged this with great earnestness. The charity of the different localities affected is entirely inadequate to the additional demand upon it. From Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham, each of which places are the centre of the deepest suffering, comes news that the wealthiest inhabitants are doing all that is wanted. Her Majesty has addressed to her subjects a pathetic letter. The Queen begins with expressing her heart-felt thanks for the universal and most touching sympathy shown to her by all classes of her loyal and faithful subjects on the present occasion, when it pleased God to call away from this world her dearly beloved daughter the Princess Alice. The concludes with the remark that “ such an exhibition of true and tender feeling is the more to be valued at the moment of groat distress of the country.” General Ponsonby, the Queen’s Secretary, has addressed another letter to Cornish clergymen, expressing her Majesty’s regret that she cannot alleviate the distress existing in that western country, since she would bo bound to do the same in every part of the land. The Princess of Wales has sent -CSO to Sheffield Miss Florence Nightingale las sent =£ss, accompanied by a characteristic and charming letter. Mr Cross, Homo Secretary, states that he is watching the progress of the distress, to see how the system of poor law relief wo ks, and whethrr additional help from Government is wanted. THE COLONIAL GOVERNORS. The “ Home News,” referring to the recent shuffle of Governors, says “ Sir G. Bowen, having only a couple of years to complete his service for ft pension, can do these as well at

Mauritius as elsewhere Lord Norraanby succeeding him, will find his work cut out for him. it is a promotion for Sir H. Robinson to go to Now Zealand, A man of Sir Hercules’ personal vigour will perhaps do more for New Zealand than Lord JSormanby. MURDER BY A MOTHER. A girl named Annie Lydia Shaughton, aged six years, was strangled by her mother, Maria Haughton, at Woolwich. The parents had seen better days, and the wife was especially depressed iit their reduced circumstances. On Sunday she was in very low spirits, and cried a good deal. Yesterday morning at half-past five the husband, who is employed at Siiverton’s indiarubber works at North Woolwich, left home for duty. Almost directly afterwards the wife loft her bed with the determination to destroy the lives of both her children, who were sleeping in different beds in the same bedroom. Bhe slate that impulse prompted her to seize the little girl by the throat and strangle her. While she was thus engaged the boy awoke, and this probably saved his life, for his mother merely told him to be quiet, as she was going out to see a neighbor, and dressing herself left the room, locking the door. She went direct to the police statiwi and stated she had killed the child that it might go to Heaven. 1 he Russian Press has adopted a conciliatory tone towards Britain. The apprehended Nihilist conspiracies are exciting the police to great activity. Bulgarian opposition to the European Commission in Kastern Roume'ia is modified. A letter from Prince Bismarck is published in German new.- papers in which he recommends a revision of the tariff with the view of obtaining increased revenue from foreign imports. A despatch from Phillipopolis states that a railway fell into the river Airda, aud that a Russian general, several other officers, and 200 men were drowned. The accident was caused by the breaking down of a bridge. A despatch from Rome states that the negotiations are being carried on between Cardinal Nino, Papal Secretary of State, and Prince Bismarck direct, without the intervention of the Nuncio of Munich, Prince Bismarck’s professions are friendly, but the impression preva Is that little more will be obtained from him unless the Socialist Bill proves insufficient. The Zulu King expressed hia willingness to surrender some of the persons demanded by the British ultimatum, and pay the fine. He would also consider other demands if time was allowed. Sir Bartle Frere replied that the word of the English Government cannot bo altered. The Bey of Tunis has sent a Plenipotentiary to Paris to arrange the differences with Prance. With one exception, the Cardinals consulted by the Pope upon the subject favored Catholics participating in elections. The “Agency Russe” says the proposal to extend the functions of the Commission for the ro-orgmisation of East Roumelia have received the assent of all the Powers, but such prolongation does not constitute violation of the Treaty of Berlin. The Russian administration of the government of Eastern Roumelia is also thus prolonged until the labors of the Reorganisation Commission are concluded. Kharkoff Veterinary School is broken up and the Kiel! University closed in consequence of the riotous demonstrations of the students. A family of four persons at Darlington, England, being in distressed circumstances, recently put an end to their trouble by stopping up the chimney, and lighting a coke fire in the room. The Council of the Irish Home Rule Lea ate called a general meeting for the 4th February, to consider a resolution for the active prosecution of the policy of the Irish Parliamentary party, and for reorganisation. u he British Government are encouraging immigration to the colonies as a means of tiding over the present labor difficulties. The marriage of the Duke of Connaught takes place at Windsor Castle on the 13th March. It was postponed on account of the death of the Princess Alice. The case of action for libel by Whybrow Robertson against Reginald Booker, proprietor of “ Truth, ” concluded on December 20th with a verdict for defendant. Edmond Peyn Madden, already confined as a lunatic, and accused of sending a threatening letter to the Queen, was sent for trial at the Central Criminal Court. The Black Prince, ironclad, recently under command of the Duke of Edinburgh, will be paid off shortly. AFGHAN WAR. General Roberts telegraphs that he has reached Kibine. Deputy-Governor Khasy came here, and will transfer to the British Commander forts and revenues of the Kurum district. The people of Khost were at first unfriendly, but seem reassured. A band of them recent y made an incursion into British territory, plundered the inhabitants, ard retreated to the hills, pursued by cavalry. Part of the band were cut off. The Russian General Kasgonoff accompanied Shere Ali in his flight for the Russian frontier. A Lahore correspondent telegraphs that General Stewart’s occupation of Candahar will mark the conclusion of the definite period of war. All will have been done that the Quettah column can possibly do before winter. Major Cavagnari has received friendly letters from most of the Cabal and Ghiligah chiefs. The health of the troops is good. Many are settling down comfortably in different camps. Jellalahad was occupied by the troops under General Browne on December 23rd. General Stuart marched through Candahar on’.thc i ith. This occupation marks the conclusion of one period of the war, All will be done that the Quettah column can do before winter. The troops of the Peshawar and Kurum columns have settled down in quarters, which, unless unforeseen events occur, they will occupy for the next two months. An imposing durbar was hold at Jellalabad on the Ist of January by General Sir Samuel Browne. Most of the local Khans and influential men of the neighborhood attended. A good feeling was manifested. The health of the troops is good. Supplies are plentifully offered by the people. Yakoob Khan has fled from Cabul, and the Afghan army is disorganised. Major St. John was fired npon in the streets of Candahar by some frantic natives, but not wounded. A man was arrested. A Lieutenant of the Royal artillery was severely wounded, and two soldiers slightly stabbed. THE PLAGUE. The plague has caused general panic in Astra ban and Stavropol. A correspondent of the “ Globe ” writes that the plague has commenced in a village in the district of Enotaevsk. The disease was at first mistaken for typhus. When the weather became warmer the people died like flies. The dead lay unburied in the streets. January 10 th. The plague has reached Carotofill. At Naratzin 173 deaths occurred. The mortality is estimated at ton p; r cent of the population. The plague at Astrachan is assuming serious proportions. There were 400 deaths from the disease up to January 4th. SEVERE STORMS AND SHIPPING DISASTERS, Despatches from Scotland report great snowstorms and severe gales. T elegrams from Crook Haven, Ireland, say that a fearful storm prevailed there, increasing to a hurricane. Ice is flowing down the Thames in great quantities Steam boat traffic between Chelsea and Woolwich is entirely suspended. A cablegram reports the total loss of the barque Gunhill, from Glasgow, on the Bordeaux bar. A gale on the coasts of Galicia and Portugal caused great destruction to small craft. Seventy fishermen and others are reported drowned. The steamer Bulgarian, from Boston, went ashore on the coast of Wales, and became a total wreck. Three persons were drowned. The Spanish steamer Zrurac Bat, from Baltimore via Liverpool, arrived in a damaged condition. She reports a collision with the British sailing vessel Lancashire Lass, which sank with all on board. The steamer’s bow was broken.