LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 728, 6 April 1853, Page 4

LATEST FOREIGN NEWS.

(From the Honolulu "Argus," Feb- 16.] In Austria and Germany things wear a quiet surface ; but close observers of national humours point to the immense emigration as a sign of a discontented, despairing spirit, and as the German Exodus is chiefly comprised of the middle classes, the heart and marrow of every people, the danger is daily becoming more apparent of a violent collapse of the two extremes, the upper and the lower end of*society's lever, the nobility with its pride, privileges and pedigrees, the descendants of Hermann, Diedrich and Barbarossa, and the men of the day, the would-be Republicans, the miniature Robespierres. Austria and Prussia have been bidding for the management of the Customs Union; it was really but a question of precedence, and Vienna has beaten Berlin. Russia.—The Emperor has started an expedition for Japan consisting of the frigate Pallas, a tender, and a screw steamer bought in England to be under the command of Vice-Admiral Poatatime, a very efficient officer and worthy man. The frigate left Cronstadt a few weeks since, and will stop at some port in the English Channel, where the Expedition will finally start from. It is said to be for scientific purposes, but it is pretty certain it is sent to watch the American Expedition, of which they are almost ridiculously jealous. A Russian army of 30,000 men have been signally defeated by the Circassians. In the United States speculations are running high upon the formaation of Mr. Pierce's Cabinet; and what will or will not be done during the next four years,'offers an abundant field for conjecture. Having used the party-cries for partypurposes, many influential southern papers " are now discountenancing every movement having for its object the acquisition of Cuba, believing that such a result would prove detrimental to southern interests. They argue that the value of that Island to the United States depends on the products of slave labour—that the preponderating influence of the United States is anti-slavery, and would be exerted for the destruction of that institution —and that in the end, Cuba would be reduced to the social and industrial condition of St. Domingo" A distinguished Democratic Senator from one of the Southern States has, we understand, decided to go against the acquisition of Cuba in any shape in which the question may come up, on the ground that it would divert planters with their slaves, from Texas, and hinder the development of the recources of that State. Several Democras tic members of Congrass, hailing from slave Statebordering upon the free States, also express themselves opposed to the acquisition of Cuba, as likely to prove disadvantageous to the interest of their own States. There seems to be a strong current setting against the filibusters generally, and well informed men are of opinion that General Pierce will also take a decided stand against them. Gold in Canada.—Mr. Logan, the provincial geologist, has just returned to Montreal from Sherbroke, and reports much larger deposits of gold there than on the Chaudiere. We give on our first page an account of the gratifying fact of the successful experiment of Ericson's engines. The influence of this discovery upon the intercourse of nations and the commerce of the world is beyond conception. Mexico has nearly run out its role and will soon be politically defunct. The United States will probably act as undertaker, while France and England will attend as chief mourners. Private advices from Mexico state that Arista has resigned the presidency of that Republic. This was probably better than to hold on *'■:!' position that had ceased t> be either honourable or profitable, especially as there was hardly a possibility of his being able to put down his enemies, indeed it is the most sensible move made by Arista since his power began to wane. Who will be his successor, it is difficult to forsee. —Santa Anna probably will be the first choice, hut it is doubtful whether he will consent again to become the foot-ball of a people, who have no more regard for their rulers than the gamester has for the ten-pins which he 'knocks down as fast as possible. From Chili the most cheering accounts of the progress and increasing wealth of the country have been received. Laborers were much wanted and inducements held out to agricultural emigrants. The correspondent of the Herald says ; 'Flores is here, living to all appearance very quietly, and not making any stir; but the all-wise, • they say,' 6ay that the ladi - —amongst whom he is a great favorite —are, bless their meddling little souls, busily engaged getting up a party in his favor.' 'There has been quite a stir lately here amongst the English squadron. The Portland, Capt. Chads, sailed on the 3d. for the coast of Mexico, with supplies for the Thetis ; and the steamer Virago, has left for Pitcairn's Island and thence to the Societies, with Mr. Nicholas, the new English Consul for Tahiti.' H. B. M's. (I believe that's the way you write it,) ship Trineomalee, arrived here on the 12th ; she is destined for the Arctic seas, in search of Sir John Franklin. California.—' Going over the river after water' is an old saying, and, in view of so many leaving the California mines for the Australian, we think it true after seeing the following in the Evening Journal of the 26th inst.: Astonishing discoveries of gold have recently been made at Rich Valley some three miles west of Georgetown, El Dorado county. A vein of decayed quartz was struck containing gold to an extent almost beyond belief. Pans of this dirt when washed paid from 5 dollars to 108 dollars each. One pan full was found to yield 674 dollars and othei's as high as 500 dollars. The uinersare flocking in from all directions. There is dirt enough to pay one thousand men for two years. A town is rapidly springing up at the diggings. Provisions are alarmingly scarce. Flour in San Francisco is falling—sales on the 26th January, were made at 25 dollars. Theo Shelltiber was arrested yesterday on a charge of passing a fraudulent invoice through the Custom House. Held to answer on Thursday next under a bond of 5,000 dollars.— Times and Transcript. Oregon.—Severe winter, heavy freshets, destruction of property, houses, mills, cattle, &c, has afflicted this growing country to a fearful extent. Honolulu Local Matters.—We have nothing of a very alarming or interesting nature to communicate. We have, however, received the gratify ing intelligence that several highly respectable gentlemen, members of the coming Legislature and of both houses, have seriously agreed and promised to support each other on the motion of .tbolishing port charges in Honolulu, thus making it virtually a Free port. Their position, talents and parliamentary influence among the other members make us sanguine of the success of the measure. We do not consider ourselves at present at liberty to give their names, but they may rest assured of the best wishes of ourselves and that large, intelligent and respectable class of the community whom we have the honor io claim as our patrons. They have found the right path, and, it 18 said, intend to follow it up by striking at the root of our financial evils. There is also an enterprise by private parties talked about, for the benefit of commerce, which, if carried into effect, will perhaps shame the Government into something like activity. We may haye authority to speak more fully of this subject m our next. INDIA. Tub Capture at Prom*.—The Indian mail lma come ;. hand, with details of the .capture of i'rome, in Bui> man, by the British. It wis mentioned, by previous mail, that the British bad advanced up the river, on the tUt and 22nd September. They amended without interruption till lu« morning of (he 9th October, when they nmclied : ;.we. The defence* of the Burmese couaisttjfl of a

log stockaJe of the edge of bills on the ri>;bt bank, a breastwork of masonry on the point, and guns planted on every position of advantage on both sides of the river. So soon as the squadron came within range, they were fired on from all the points by the enemy ; this was returned by the steamers PMegttbon and Mehanuddy, and by the rest of the squadron, as they came within range. In two hours the fire of the enemy was completely silenced. As a sharp dischargn of musketry was still kept up from behind the numerous pagodas which lay on the hank of the river, and the inegu ar portions of the ground where marksmen could be concealed, the steamers came to anchor and commenced, about noon, throwing shells, which speedily cle red the neighbourhood. As the heat of the day diminished, preparations were made for landing. At 5 p.m., the wing of the 80th Regiment landed. They experienced scarcely any opposition. On touching the shore, they threw out skirmishers, and pushed rapidly up the hill, dislodging the enemy as they advanced. The Golden Pagoda in front of them was defended by 500 men. A short check here ensued. The enemy, after receiving two or three heavy volleys, broke and fled in all directions. At so late an hour it was not deemed expedi nt to attack the town. In the course of the night, the troops, in all amounting to about 3000 men, of wi/om 590 were seamen, were landed. The next morning they marched, without opposition, into Prom*. It was said that the e are about 6 100 Burmese, defended by strong stockades, about six miles from Prome; and though the opinion was that they might have been dislodged, Gen. Godwin hesitated to proceed farthe-. The troops, meanwhile, were housed within the tow... Nothing was known of the future plan of the campaign, but the troops remained in good health and spirit*. The war was considered to be nearly over. Admiral Austen, in the command of the fleet, had di<-d of cholera. He was in his 74th year, and unable to bear the fatigue of active service. We have scarcely any news from any other part of India. The heats of October had been uncommonly intense, and continued to an unusually late period of the season, the cold weather only commencing as November approached. There had been great sickness among the troops in the upper provinces of Bengal and throughont the Punjaub and Lower Scinde. India seems universally tranquil at present. The season, though a most singular one, had turned out on the whole favonrable to the agriculturists. CUBA. Dates from Havana are to the 11th of December. The Cherokee arrived in New York December 16' from Havana, and reports her peaceable reception at that port. No questions where asked, and free communication with the shore was permitt-d. The mails and passengers were received and landed without binder-, ance. Private letters from Havana, received at New Orleans, announce the expected arrival of a fleet of slavers, lor which the British cruisers were keeping a sharp look-out. The captain and crew of the Lady Suffolk, it is said, have been r>leised by oider of the Captain General, and the circumstance had occasioned some excitement among the British re idents in Havana—the information which led to their arrest and confinement having been given by the British Consul. A new revolutionary paper, the Vqi del tfurhlo, has been established at Matanzas, being publ >hed, however, in manuscript. '1 he authorities have been apprised ot its existence and circulation. It is stated, in letters from Havana, that a number of manifestoes, fiom 2\'ew York have been seized by the Cuban Government. The documents advised peaceable people to stay at home during the approaching invasion, and intimated a certainty of protection to such j armies as should abstain from meddling. The United States frigate Cyane was at Havana. The city Havana was said to he healthy. The Spanish war steamer Isabel was to have left Havana on the 14th Dec. for with Mr. Mariano Torripute onboard, sent as special agent, by Gj*eral Canede, to watch tii§.^o§@g** r '~ " v ' tbV jiUbustero -.agjtoßjyeß .which,. m *rs a saicTare about to be argiiijisedjtflfiSiWwre near Saniana, . p 3Wrxlibti'B3iid ■Spanish troops and twe- more Generals were boob expo; ted tu arrive at Havana, and if we are to judge from the extensive preparations which were being made, and the activity going on in the forts, placing guns, &c, &c, 'he Cuban authorities were under much alarm for fear of invasion from the States. There was a rumor at Havana that one of the English steamers had just captured a slaver. The Choi era at St. Jago de Cura.—The latest advices from St. Jago de Cuba, received by the steamer Cherokee, represent the cholera there as spreading now among the sugar and coffee estates, having already decimated the more populous districts. Some of the sugar estates have had one-half of their labours swept away, while on many of the tobacco estates a panic has taken place in a general stampede of the labourers. The hardships and sufferings of under these circumstances, are said to be terrible in the extreme. Private letters give some frightful pictures of the ravages of the disease, and a letter published in one of the papers, dated Dec. 3d, says : *' Until, within a day or two. no one could be got to bury the dead, which were left exposed, putrifying in the sun, piled in heaps at the Campo Santo. The excitement produced by the late severe shock of earthquake, seemed to stay for a time the progress of this fearful malady, only to break out wito renewed virulence. It is computed that not less than 3000 persons have been carried off by the disease in this city alone, and that, too, within the short time of five or six weeks; the mortality even now is not less than seventy or eighty a day, and there are many whose deaths have not been given to the Registrar. I learn that it has been equally fatal in its progress on the north coast of this province; how it will end, God only knows." We have heretofore given some account of the devastation of an earthquake, which visited this unfortunate people on the 26th Nov. The same writer above quoted, says : "The consternation was general. People rushed out of their falling houses, mostof them half-naked. Indeed, the scene was the most appalling 1 ever witnessed. The dead and dying victims of the prevailing pest, hastily brought into the street on the couches of past and present suffering, the glimmering of torches hither and thither, and the people flying in every direction from the crashing houses, presented one of the most fearful pictures ever witnessed. * • * The once beautiful city of St. Jago is utterly ruin d, and such is the fear which has penetrated the hearts of the unlortunate inhabitants, through the horrible ordeals which they have so lately suffered, and are still undergoing, that they are reduced to utter despair. Those who have the means are flying as if from a doomed city, and others are gathering together whatever of their property remains to them, to emigrate to a more favourable position on the island."