lUTSSIAN ITEMS.

Manawatu Herald, 26 August 1881, Page 4

IUTSSIAN ITEMS.

A few days ago a djniamite inine was discovered under the railway metals close to Gatschinn, Station. The mine was connected by wive with an electric battery in the railway telegraph office. All the telegraph officials were arrested. The day preceding the discovery the obelisk erected in Gatschhm Piu-k by Paul I. was struck and laid low by a Hash of lightning. The sentinel stationed at the foot of the obelisk was killed. The incident is regarded as of ominous augury by the populace of the capital. Letters from St. Petersburgh report that the Emperor's reception of General Skobcloll' was not a cordial one. He received neither decoration nor promotion, and he has since announced his intention of going abroad for four months. The Russian political police have arranged to send agents to truck Russian Socialists in all the principle cities of Europe. .Four will be sent to London, Paris, and Geneva respectively, and two to the capitals of •each of the other Euiopean States. It is stated that Russia will accept the protectorate of the Merv Turcomans, the chief of whom is now in St. Petersburg. Count "Worontzoff Dashkofl' is reported to have left the palace on the plea of illness— whether temporarily or not is unknown — in eonseqxience of a disagreement with the Emperor. He is now living near Petorhoff. General Vanowski,' who is designated as a Minister of War, was the chief of the present Emperor's staff during the Turkish war. A contradiction is given to the statement published by a German paper that M Ostrowski had resigned the post of Minister of Domains, and been appointed Comptroller, of the Empire. The Emperor and Empress of Russia visited St. Petersburg ou Juue 7, in order to attend the anniversary funeral mass for the late Empress. Troops were stationed along the route taken by the Imperial party, but the usual Cossack escort was dispensed "with. Arrangements are, it is stated, being made for a Jewish deputation, consisting of one delegate from each town in the sotUh of Russia, to wait upon the Emperor.